eMac 1/1.25 GHz (2004)

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Overview

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Incremental improvement seems to be the name of the game for the eMac. The 2004 edition gets a 25% speed boost for both the CPU and the memory bus compared with the 1 GHz 2003 eMac. The G4 CPU used in this model also has a larger level 2 cache (512K vs. 256K), which further improves performance.

The eMac For connectivity, USB 2.0 replaces USB 1.1, the modem now supports v.92, and internal Bluetooth is a build-to-order option. Apple also switched from the Radeon 7500 graphics processor to the Radeon 9200. Additionally, the SuperDrive on the 2004 eMac burns DVDs at 8x, double the performance of last year's 4x drive.

Although it's as compact as the original iMac, the eMac is heavy - 50 pounds vs. 35-38 for the 15" iMacs.

IMPORTANT: The 2004 eMac is covered by the eMac Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues, which includes problems with scrambled or distorted video, loss of video, and no power. Apple's website includes a list of serial numbers covered by this program, although refurbished 2004 eMacs may be covered but have a different range of model numbers.

Details

Introduced 2004.04.13 at US$799 (1.25 MHz Combo) and $999 (SuperDrive). Special 1 GHz education version available with no modem, either CD-ROM or no optical drive. Replaced 2005.05.03 by 1.42 GHz eMac.
requires Mac OS X 10.3.3 or later
CPU: 1.25 GHz G4 (7457B)
bus: 167 MHz
performance:

Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 726 (1.25 GHz), 552 (1 GHz)
Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 719

RAM: 256 MB, expandable to 2 GB using two PC2700 DDR SDRAM (officially supported to 1 GB by Apple)
VRAM: 32 MB DDR SDRAM
Video: supports resolutions of 1280 x 960, 1152 x 870, 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480 using ATI Radeon 9200 AGP 4x chip set, supports video mirroring to SVGA or S-video with extra cost adapters
monitor: 17" (16" viewable) multiscan to 1280 x 960
L2 cache: 512 KB on-chip cache running at full CPU speed
hard drive: 40/80 GB ATA/100, typically 5400 rpm, but 7200 rpm 80 GB drives are not uncommon
Optical drive: Combo drive or SuperDrive
- Combo drive reads DVDs at up to 12x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 32x, writes CD-RW discs at up to 10x, reads CDs at up to 32x.
- SuperDrive writes DVD-R discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 10x, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x, writes CD-RW discs at up to 10x, reads CDs at up to 32x.
microphone: built in (above monitor), standard 3.5mm minijack, compatible with line-level input, not compatible with Apple's PlainTalk microphone
USB: 3 USB 2.0 ports
FireWire: 2 FireWire 400 ports
AirPort: accepts AirPort Extreme card
Bluetooth: accepts optional internal Bluetooth module
integrated 56 kbps modem supports v.92 standard
ethernet: 10/100Base-T
Microphone: internal
power: 150W
PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
height: 15.8 in/40.6 cm
width: 15.8 in/40.6 cm
depth: 17.1 in/43.3 cm
weight: 50 lb/22.7 kg
Part no.: M9425 (Combo), M9461 (SuperDrive)
upgrade path: none

Online Resources

Best used eMac deals, updated biweekly.
Best classic Mac OS deals. Best online prices for System 6, 7.1, 7.5.x, Mac OS 7.6, 8.0, 8.1, 8.5, 9.0, 9.2.2, and other versions.
Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3.
Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
What's the best version of OS X for my Mac?, Ian R Campbell, The Sensible Mac, 2008.02.28. Which version of Mac OS X is best for your hardware depends on several factors.
Jaguar or Panther on Pismo?, Mac 128K corrections, installing OS X from an iPod, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.02.29. Also an old iMac, an optical trackball for ADB Macs, internal or external hard drive for an eMac, and Leopard on a 500 MHz PowerBook G4.
Safari 3.1 will be 'crazy fast', OS X 10.5.2 update, 20x SuperDrive from $35, and more, Mac News Review, 2008.02.15. Also Security Update for Tiger, Graphics Update for Leopard, Mac mini "as powerful as a larger desktop", TechTool Deluxe update, and more.
Restore stability to a troubled Mac with a clean system install, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 2008.01.15. If your Mac is misbehaving, the best fix just might be a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X - don't forget to backup first.
Weak AirPort Extreme, Open Firmware hack, deleting old Systems, and spacing problems in Pages, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.12.07. Fixing a weak signal in AirPort Extreme, thoughts on the Open Firmware Leopard install hack, when it's safe to delete an old System, and line spacing issues in Pages.
Overheating Mac minis, 'Road Apple' label reconsidered, eMac repair extension, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.16. Also why the Mac mini is a wonderful computer, more Leopard on unsupported Macs, and contextual ads on Low End Mac.
1 working eMac from 2 broken ones, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2007.11.14. A pair of matching eMacs, each with a different failure, results in one working eMac and lots of leftovers.
eMac virtual screen solution, PowerBook 3400 problem, IBM Model M and the Mac, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.26. Also G4 iMacs inspire lust, TrueType fonts and vintage Macs, deinterlacing DVDs, and Allegro USB sleep issues.
Leopard DVD Player requires 1.6 GHz CPU, dual processor questions, and dual boot Macs, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.24. DVD Player currently runs on any G3 that supports Tiger, but the new version needs 1.6 GHz of power and other bloat in Leopard.
The future of eMacs in the Age of Leopard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.24. Early eMacs aren't officially supported under Mac OS X 10.5, but Leopard could run well with the right upgrades.
External $100 Sony DVD burner likes Macs, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2007.10.10. The box and manual say nothing about Mac compatibility, but this 18x USB 2.0 DVD burner is plug-and-play (at least with Tiger).
WiFi options for Lombard, installing Tiger on a DVD-less eMac, 3D home design software, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.01. Two PC Card 802.11g options for the Lombard PowerBook, PowerPC version of OS X needed for eMac, three programs for home design, and a source for downloading old Mac software.
PC war losers, Mac 'just works', $68 802.11n for older Macs, a free font manager, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.08.31. Also DVD region locking, the iMac's glossy screen, Mac mini powerful enough, Chromac iMac housings, SanDisk's 8 GB flash drive, and more.
Software to darken iMac display, columnist returns iPhone, Logitech introduces air mouse, and more, Mac News Review, 2007.07.20. Also a USB turntable for turning your record albums into MP3s, a retractable thumb drive, iPhone: The Missing Manual, Parallels Desktop 3 a major update, and more.
Pismo the best PowerBook, capacitor problems in Macs, XPostFacto for Leopard, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.06.28. Also more on tin whiskers and why you sometimes have to remove RAM to get OS X to install on older Macs.
The truth about CRTs and shock danger, Tom Lee, Online Tech Journal, 2007.05.22. You've been warned that CRT voltage can injure and even kill. The truth is that this danger is overstated - and takes attention away from a greater danger.
11 ways to optimize your Mac's performance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12. If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can help restore its original performance.
Installing OS X 10.4 'Tiger' on DVD-challenged Macs using FireWire Target Disk Mode, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.10. Mac OS X ships on a single install DVD, which Apple will exchange for CDs at $10. But if you have access to a DVD-equipped Mac and a FireWire cable, you're good to go.
$899 education iMac, Classic on Intel Macs, LCD in an eMac, Mac mini in a Prius, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.07.07. Also Mac mini 'almost sinfully attractive', Mac mini benchmarks, iPod Updater 2006-06-28, new iPod car options, and more.
Macs take away Microsoft pain, Macs revive James Bond, iMac king of all media, iWoofer, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.06.16. Also Windows users guide to switching to the Mac, Bluetooth firmware update for PPC Macs, universal USB 2.0 drive adapter, waterproof case for video iPod, and more.
End of G4 models points to unprecedented value for used G4 Macs, Leaman Crews, Plays Well with Others, 2006.06.02. The PowerPC G4 may no longer have a place in Apple's product line, but that's a far cry from saying G4-based Macs are obsolete. If anything, their value is going to increase.
How to add memory, replace the hard drive, and use a second display with your eMac, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 2005.02.01. Three low-cost ways to upgrade your eMac for better performance and greater flexibility.
Screen Spanning Doctor lets you use a second monitor with your eMac and span screens, not simply mirror you internal display.
Apple eMac Upgrade Guide is a great resource for information and pictures showing how to upgrade your eMac. Now get out there and make the most of your low-end Mac.
Bargain Power: A $799 Mac with power to burn, Tera Patricks, Mac 360, 2004.08.04. "For $799, you get everything a Mac has to offer. And everything that Unix has to offer (power, dependability, stability, flexibility). All rolled into one. Point and click."
Oh, just go get yourself an eMac and call it a night, Bill Palmer, BillPalmer.net, 2004.07.02. The flat panel iMac is dead. Long live the eMac!
Benchmarks: New eMac 1.25 GHz vs. iMac 1.25 GHz vs. PowerBook 1.25 GHz, Bare Feats, 2004.04.21. How does that new $799-999 eMac compare with same speed iMacs and PowerBooks? Not bad, but 3D gaming could be better.
iMac PC2700 memory pricing, ramseeker
The iMac channel
The iMac List, an email list iMac and eMac users
Apple Specs for eMac (USB 2.0)

Cautions

You cannot plug the iPod shuffle directly into the eMac's USB port - it will not fit. It will not charge if plugged into a keyboard USB port or an unpowered USB hub. To charge it while using it with your eMac, you must us a USB extension cable, powered USB hub, iPod shuffle dock, or a USB power adapter.

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