Can eMac 1.42 Ghz be used for graphic design?

[spinne1]

On the other hand, I would need to pay less for the combo drive/80G emac (about USD250 less). Would you guys recommend me getting the one with 160G or 80G? I don't really use superdrive, and how much would an additional 80G really cost?
Could someone please help me justify the price between the combo and superdrive?

Thanks!

As for damaging your computer with too much ram. No, you won't, but the computer won't recognize more than it will recognize and putting more in would be wasting money.

As for your choice, if you don't plan to use the SuperDrive, then don't pay $250 more for your computer. On the other hand, when you go to resell the computer, it will be worth more with a SuperDrive. (but no where near $250 more). As for the hard drive, 80 GB is barely adequate for many people (myself included) and way more than enough for many other people. Only you know how much space you need. Do you stores tons of very large photos? Do you have a huge music library? Do you continually download new apps whether you ever use them or not?

Keep in mind that a SuperDrive itself can be had on ebay for around $40, and a 200-300 GB hard drive for around $70-$100. If you are handy with opening computers (especially CRT-based computers, which have potential danger inside), you could replace the drive and hard drive yourself and get more for less money. There are undoubtedly web sites showing you in detail how to take apart the eMac to replace drives. [Google]

Good luck.

And as for almost all Photoshop tasks, my G4/450 Mhz runs them fine. Most tasks are pretty snappy. The slowdowns occur on advanced filters and such, which are almost never used for me.

 

[Compulsive]

I dont agree at all that the iMac has a crappy LCD.

I used the revb iMac for 3 months before I upgraded to the dual2.7 and I am buying an LCD to use with the 2.7.

There are diff in the technology, but it is TOTALLY workable.

Its hard to figure out how some could get USED TO the speed issues but not to the SMALL color issues.

You may have to calibrate the LCD to your tastes but I find that this is common to EVERY monitor that I have used.

BTW I am ordering the 20" Dell FPW LCD for this 2.7

As a side point, it is getting very diff. and expensive to get a good CRT no anyway, as I have usually a 2nd monitor that is a LCD, but I have gone away from this lately as the LCD tech. is good enough that I no longer need one.

Compulsive

I do agree that you need at least 2 gigs of ram though.

 

[Maxiseller]

You're talking about using a G4 over a G5 and justifying that it will cost more? I have to say I'm a little confused.

I have a RevB iMac, and it works perfectly - Ive upped the ram to 1G which I believe is the maximum the eMac could take anyway, and it runs Photoshop and logic pro (more hardware intense apps) very well indeed. The ONLY issue is the Ram for logic Pro, of which I could do with 2G.

The interesting thing here is that I actually upgraded from an eMac 1.25Ghz. There were a number of reasons behind this; firstly, the screen. The flicker of the eMac was doing my head in. I coudn't put a pair of headphones next to it without the magnetic speakers intefering with the screen and sending it green. Secondly, the G4 is good, but the G5 is better - and after using an eMac for a year and moving over, the difference is very obvious. Hope Ive helped.

 

[dogbone]

accidental double post

 

[dogbone]

amyng

I was surprised recently to discover that the eMac will indeed take (and use) TWO GB of ram. I'm using 1.5 at the moment.

If you don't need the superdrive then save your money. When you run out of space you can buy an external 250 GB drive.

 

[Abstract]

The question is whether an eMac can be used for graphic design, and whether you think that an iMac is better or not is almost irrelevent. I'm sure a PowerMac would be better as well, but if she's set on the eMac with 1.42GHz G4, then great. It performs as well as a (single proc) 1.8GHz G5 on many intensive tasks anyway, so the speed hit isn't huge. And a CRT is better in many ways compared to an LCD, so again, she has her reasons for asking about an eMac.

And as the size of the eMac is well known, and she doesn't seem to mind it, it is a non-issue.

Anyway, get the eMac. I used to think they were the best deal that Apple offers, and it's probably still true.

EDIT TO ADD: Yes, an eMac can definitely take more than 1GB of RAM, although I'm not sure exactly how much it can recognize. I'm guessing 2GB. Get it from a 3rd party vendor like OWC. Don't get Crucial RAM (from Crucial). And don't get the Superdrive if you don't need to.

 

[amyng]

Thanks so much everyone!

Your input has helped me tremendously, and yes, I just want to get the last of the CRT screen (personal preference, if I may--I'm not sure why, but LRT screens hurt my eyes, and it's not just the iMacs).
It sort of signals the last of an era (for the dome shaped macs) and I just remember falling in love with them when I worked on one for 6 months. Now that my questions on whether its able to be used for graphic design, RAM upgrade and prices of additional memory are answered, I can now go forth!
I'm hoping it can last for at least 5 years, being indestructible as it is!haha!

You guys are the best!

xoxo
amy