Emac G4 1ghz 256mb 80gb Superdrive Modem Nra04/26/04

My PC actually worked resonably well for MS office, high-speed internet, and digital photography. It was weak on digital music and useless for digital video processing. The last straw was a few weeks ago when I tried to install a DVD RW drive. After that fiasco, I made good on my contiuning threat to switch to Mac.

Enter the Emac. First of all, I purchased the 1Ghz model with the Superdrive, as we're expecting our first child and I want to be able to author DVDs to share with the family. I upgraded the unit to 512MB RAM (Using one DIMM slot) from the 256MB standard. I also ordered the tilt/swivel stand based on other reviews I've read.

The first thing to say about the computer is it's big. Sure, it doesn't have an under-desk box to go with it, and cable issues are much improved over multi-component systems, but this is a big, heavy machine.

The screen, though a CRT, is simply stunning. Increadible resolution, and the Quartz graphics and text rendering make this easily the nicest computer screen I've ever worked on.

Right out of the box, the computer is ready for DSL or cable internet with it's built-in ethernet connection. A quick phone call to my DSL provider had me online in no time. Hooking up my Linksys wireless router (for my wife's PC notebook) was a breeze with the auto-configurer located in the System Preferences / Network section. It worked so well it was almost scary.

The real strength of the system is OX 10.3. This is a beautiful operating system. First of all, it is increadibly intuitive. Want a picture from the net? Just drag it onto the desktop. The little things are just so much easier and less cumbersome. The interface is gorgeous, like liquid mercury. Thanks to the powerful graphics processing, even things like minimizing windows and switching users is a joy to watch. The "Dock" at the bottom of the screen keeps your most used programs accessable, and it's translucency and animation are visually very pleasing.

The software Apple included with the Emac is wonderful. ILife includes Itunes, Iphoto, Imovie, IDVD, and Garage Band. Itunes is simply the best jukebox / audio organizer on the market, period. Importing my favorite CDs, converting to and from MP3, and purchasing new tunes from the Itunes store is a piece of cake. Streaming audio (online radio) is very easy to use, and a huge improvement over Windows / Real player. Burning CDs, and making playlists (and smart playlists) is no problem either. Iphoto allow very logical photo organization, cropping, and some effects (though for high-end effects, you will need Photoshop or Photoshop Elements). Ordering prints directly from apple (Kodak processing) is simple too.

My favorite of these programs, however, is Imovie / IDVD. I was able to take footage from my mini DV (via 4-6 pin firewire), and within 1 hour I had a nice video of my dog playing (remember, I'm practicing for the arrival of child #1), complete with dual channel audio overlay (our voices and the dog along with imported audio, appropriately mixed). Video transitions, fades, splicing, cutting were all intuitive and quickly learned. Setting up a DVD with menus, graphics on the title screen, and fully functional on my home DVD player took just minutes. I can't wait to WOW my friends and family with professional quality family and vacation videos. It simply amazes me that this computer can do this so well right out of the box, without the extremely costly video editing software and hardware that projects like this used to require.

A program not often discussed, but very impressive is Sherlock, also preloaded on the machine. It basically works like Yahoo, with channels such as yellow pages, E-Bay, Translator, Movies, and others. The phone book feature is especially handy. Just type in what you're looking for and the number appears, along with driving distances, an excellent (and acurate) map, and driving directions. The movie channel automatically displays theatres near your house, movies playing, times, and (quickly) downloads previews.

Apple now has a new web browser, Safari, which also ships with the Emac. It is also very nice to use, and offers some important new features including tabbed browsing, an excellent menu / favorites bar, and an excellent downloading system for files, programs, and other info. It does have some quirks (ie difficulty downloading attachments from Hotmail), but all in all it offers a much nicer environment than Netscape or IE (in my opinion). The Emac also ships with IE, so if one prefers they can browse with it instead.

Ironically, MS Office for Mac OS X (purchased separately) works even better than Office XP in my opinion. The interface is so much nicer, and it's functionallity is superb. One drawback is no MS Access for Mac (though rumors abound that it will be available this year).

The only negatives I have are: 1. Poor written OS instructions. Though intuitive, OS X is a big change from Windows, and some instruction is often needed. A "getting started" guide is included, and Apple.com has wonderful on-line support and Q&A sections, but a real OS book is nice. I purchased "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Panther Edition", and have been very happy with it. 2. Internal speakers. These are actually pretty nice sounding for the size, and having them built in is compact and convenient. However, I love listening to music on the computer, and I'm happier with powered external speakers (either USB or through the headphone jack).

I had very high hopes for this computer, and it has more than exceeded my desires. This is a great computer for anyone looking to be able to handle digital audio and video in a stable environment, and the cost makes this a very accessable machine for many more people than Apple's other products.

If you are looking into getting one, order the swivel stand, and consider upgrading the RAM to 512MB from the factory (you don't use up the 2nd precious DIMM slot that way). If authoring DVDs is important to you, make sure to get the Super Drive model.

Apple gives you a speedy G4 processor (don't be fooled by it's low by comparison to Intel MHZ rating), a large hard drive, built in 10/100 ethernet, built in 802.11b/g wireless networking capability, built in modem, built in good (not great but good) graphics card, built in stereo sound with internal front mounted speakers, an excellent 17" CRT monitor, industry standard FireWire/USB ports, a keyboard, and a mouse. Cheaper PCs are just that. You get what you pay for.

Software includes the unbelievably great OS/X operating system, the iLife suite of digital tools (iMovie 4, iDVD 4, iTunes 4, iPhoto 4, and my new favorite GarageBand) that all work together almost like a single software suite, AppleWorks (get MS Office if a discount is available, it's much better than AW), and a couple of games to get you started.

If you're worried about file compatibility with your Windows friends, don't be. With the exception of AutoCad (There are CAD programs that have file compatibility, but they typically are not as full-featured. And besides, you don't buy an eMac for CAD anymore than you would use a cheap Dell for CAD!), there are either the same or equivalent software available for everything except games. If you want to play games, buy a frigging PlayStation! OK, that's the good. Now the bad.

Apple doesn't give you enough memory to really use this machine to its potential. Get another 512 megs. If you get involved with digital video (which takes up LOADS of hard drive space), shop around for an external FireWire drive. You may need an analog to digital converter as well for your older video unless your DV camcorder has a passthrough. The eMac also does not have any USB 2 (USB 1.1 only) ports. So you cannot use USB 2 external devices (They will only run at USB 1.1 speeds). Also, I recommend getting QuickTime Pro (30 bucks) from Apple. I recommend as well Erica Sadun's terrific iMovie book that helps you use iMovie to its fullest. Lastly, Apple has G5 processors that are starting to make their way through their lines (Towers already here, portables within the year, consumer machines probably within 2 years). The eMacs will still be great machines, but will lag behind whatever Apple has coming out soon. Unless you need something right now, you may want to wait until then unless they discount them heavily. They're still worth what you pay now however.