eMac in person
I finally got to check out the eMac at my local CompUSA and since I have been reading all the negative comments about the screen, etc, I must say I could find nothing at all wrong with it.
I had it set on 1024 res and the picture was rock solid and very crisp. I didn't notice anything amiss with the CRTs alignment inside the case, either, although I believe it would have been better not to be set inside the case, but rather flat with it like the new NEC monitors.
I played a song at almost top volume and there was no screen flicker at all. The speakers sounded good, but of course could use more bass(can the isub be used with the eMac?) If not, Apple should make sure that it can in the future-the sound quality would be good enough for most users. As is, it sounds pretty good to me.
The tilt base is hard to move. Unless there was something wrong with the one they had attached, Apple needs to improve it-they should just make it like the base under all 17 inch monitors and stop trying to be fancy with the clear plastic-it should also be included in the price-making it optional is ridiculous, its an absolute necessity.
As for performance, it had only the original 128 Mb RAM in it which rendered it incredibly slow. Apple should not sell a computer with less than 256 Mb RAM, period. OSX absolutely sucks with any less than 256. Even though many of us will get RAM free with purchase, not everyone will, and 512 Mb is the perfect amount of RAM for OSX so with 256 mb RAM free that would be perfect.
My biggest objection? Color. White isn't much better than beige, and the eMac in a darker color would look much better and hide any imperfections better. Matte black would look hot.......................
I had it set on 1024 res and the picture was rock solid and very crisp. I didn't notice anything amiss with the CRTs alignment inside the case, either, although I believe it would have been better not to be set inside the case, but rather flat with it like the new NEC monitors.
I played a song at almost top volume and there was no screen flicker at all. The speakers sounded good, but of course could use more bass(can the isub be used with the eMac?) If not, Apple should make sure that it can in the future-the sound quality would be good enough for most users. As is, it sounds pretty good to me.
The tilt base is hard to move. Unless there was something wrong with the one they had attached, Apple needs to improve it-they should just make it like the base under all 17 inch monitors and stop trying to be fancy with the clear plastic-it should also be included in the price-making it optional is ridiculous, its an absolute necessity.
As for performance, it had only the original 128 Mb RAM in it which rendered it incredibly slow. Apple should not sell a computer with less than 256 Mb RAM, period. OSX absolutely sucks with any less than 256. Even though many of us will get RAM free with purchase, not everyone will, and 512 Mb is the perfect amount of RAM for OSX so with 256 mb RAM free that would be perfect.
My biggest objection? Color. White isn't much better than beige, and the eMac in a darker color would look much better and hide any imperfections better. Matte black would look hot.......................
Comments
You've pretty much nailed it. My visit to CompUSA basically gave me the same impressions. I'm not too hip with the white...it's too "appliance" looking. But I really couldn't find fault with it too much.
Speakers are good, but you really should have a little more seperation of the speakers. I have SoundSticks at the corners of my desk with the sub on the floor, much better.
There was something wrong with that stand, for sure. It should be very easy to adjust with one hand. I wouldn't say it's a necessity though, I just returned mine in fact. I prefer it a little lower on the desk. That, and it's a crime what they're charging for it.
Performance is decent, but I have a gig of RAM in this... you're right, 128 MB of RAM is pretty pathetic. Too bad you can't order these stripped down a little. I have a useless 128 MB stick sitting here now.
It's funny to me how a few people posted that the screen flickered, and now it's just "known" on the net that the eMac has a crappy display. Almost everyone who's actually seen one has great things to say about it.
I dont mind the white, I think it looks quite nice. Just a touch of class.