eMac ATI Graphics (2003)

After a year on the market, Apple speed bumped the eMac from a top speed of 800 MHz to 1 GHz while moving from a 100 MHz data bus to 133 MHz and adding support for 802.11g AirPort Extreme WiFi. Apple also switched from the Nvidia graphics of the original eMac to Radeon 7500 on this model and moved from a 2x DVD-burning SuperDrive to a 4x one.

eMacThe 2002 eMac came with a new mouse and keyboard. It also has video out for external displays, which will mirror whatever is displayed on the internal monitor.

This is the last eMac capable of booting into the “classic” Mac OS; later eMacs can only use Mac OS 9.2.2 via Classic Mode in Mac OS X.

Although its dimensions match the original iMac, the eMac is quite heavy – 50 pounds vs. 35-38 for the 15″ iMacs.

This was the last eMac to use USB 1.1; later models have USB 2.0 instead.

Details

  • Introduced 2003.05.06 at US$799 (800 MHz CD-ROM), $999 (1 GHz Combo), and $1,299 (1 GHz SuperDrive); 800 MHz model discontinued 2003.10.22 and prices dropped to $799 (Combo) and $1,099 (SuperDrive). Replaced 2004.04.13 by 1.25 GHz eMac.
  • Code name: Northern Lights
  • Model identifier: PowerMac4,4
  • Model no.: A1002
  • Order no.: M9150 (800 MHz CD), M8950 (1 GHz Combo), M8951 (SuperDrive), M9252 (revised Combo model)

Mac OS

Core System

  • CPU: 800 MHz PowerPC 7450/1 GHz PowerPC 7455
  • Bus: 133 MHz
  • RAM: 128/256 MB, expandable to 1,024 MB using two PC133 SDRAM (3.3 V, 64-bit, 168-pin)
  • L2 cache: 256 KB on-chip cache running at full CPU speed

Performance

  • Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 527 (1 GHz), 404 (800 MHz)
  • Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 539 (1 GHz), 372 (800 MHz)

Graphics

  • ATI Radeon 7500 AGP 4x chip set, supports video mirroring with mini-VGA adapter (the VGA adapter may unlock video resolutions on the internal display that are otherwise inaccessible – we are investigating)
  • VRAM: 32 MB SGRAM
  • Resolutions: 1280 x 960, 1152 x 870, 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480
  • Display: 17″ (16″ viewable) multiscan to 1280 x 960

Drives

  • Hard drive: 40/60/80 GB Ultra ATA
  • Optical drive: 32x CD-ROM, 8x10x32x Combo drive, 4x SuperDrive

Expansion

  • USB: 3 USB 1.1 ports
  • FireWire 400: 2 ports
  • Ethernet: 10/100Base-T
  • AirPort: accepts AirPort Extreme card
  • Modem: built-in v.90 56k modem
  • Microphone: built in (above monitor), standard 3.5mm minijack, compatible with line-level input, not compatible with Apple’s PlainTalk microphone

Physical

  • 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
  • PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
  • Power supply: 150W

Online Resources

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.