Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Purchase eMac?

Davy.Shalom

Davy.Shalom

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 23, 2008
465
1
Ok so I am visiting my grandparents in a couple of weeks and I think they need a new computer, considering they are using Windows NT 4.0 on an old Dual Pentium III server I made for myself a while back. I am thinking of getting them a used older mac, and of course teaching them the basics, the rest should be easy. Anyway, all they do is email, word processing, and web surfing. Here are my options:

eMac G4: $120
1GHz
512MB
60GB
DVD/CD-RW

iMac G3: $50
700 mhz
256 MB
80GB
CD

Which model is more reliable? I want this computer to just work. It needs to last at least 5 more years.
 
In regards to a cheap linux box, yes I have. I do not, however, have another monitor to use with one. All mine are in use, so I would prefer the simplicity of an all in one.
 
Go for the eMac. It has the time tested design of the iMac G3, and more power to boot. For your grandparents, it will definitely last 5 years doing simple tasks like you described.
 
Davy.Shalom said:
In regards to a cheap linux box, yes I have. I do not, however, have another monitor to use with one. All mine are in use, so I would prefer the simplicity of an all in one.
Click to expand...
It just really bothers me that you want to use a 4-8 year old computer and then want it to last 5 more years.

I have two things to say FLASH and operating system updates.
 
Well if its well built, it should be able to last another five years. Anyway, this would not be doing very intensive tasks, so it should last a bit longer eh?

-yes I agree
RAM and OS updating
 
Eidorian said:
It just really bothers me that you want to use a 4-8 year old computer and then want it to last 5 more years.

I have two things to say FLASH and operating system updates.
Click to expand...

They probably don't peruse youtube much. and if the things listed are the only things they want to do why would they ever want to update their OS?
 
Well listen, unlike you and me Eidorian, they don't use their computer for work and play everyday. They use it because its how they stay in touch with me and other relatives, and to read some articles sometimes on the web. They wouldn't mind using Tiger for another 5 years. Remember these people are not from our generation, they were already somewhat elderly by the time computers came into heavy use.
 
You should probably just get a Maxed out Mac Pro. That would probably be the most future proof for them.

Then again, you should probably wait until Snow Leopard is out.
 
TuffLuffJimmy said:
You should probably just get a Maxed out Mac Pro. That would probably be the most future proof for them.

Then again, you should probably wait until Snow Leopard is out.
Click to expand...
This is obviously the best choice. Spending more money for a future proof computer.

The iMac G3 is solid but the eMac has a G4 even with the flaky video cables on both machines and the capacitor debacle of the eMac like many other computers of its time.
 
Eidorian said:
This is obviously the best choice. Spending more money for a future proof computer.
Click to expand...

You don't understand. They're not looking for a "future proof" machine they're looking for a machine that will keep running and work, not one that will be constantly used and needs numerous upgrades.
 
Eidorian said:
This is obviously the best choice. Spending more money for a future proof computer.

The iMac G3 is solid but the eMac has a G4 even with the flaky video cables on both machines and the capacitor debacle of the eMac like many other computers of its time.
Click to expand...

Your missing the point that they just want something simple to use for web stuff.

I do agree that if possible you should try and get something with an intel processor. For an iMac with that processer, you're going to spend $500 or so dollars. I don't know if that is really worth it for you or not.

I will tell you this. My parents had an eMac that was a 700 MHz edition. I would never recommend that computer in this day and age. The g3 just can't handle today's webpages. I would think that the G4 is at that stage or coming close to it.

My advice is to spend the extra hundred or two dollars now and save yourself the hours of phone calls on why the computer is going slow.
 
Get them a macbook air... its good for basic stuff like browsing the web and word processing.
 
kjs862 said:
Get them a macbook air... its good for basic stuff like browsing the web and word processing.
Click to expand...

Not spending over 400 dollars. Sorry, they hardly use a computer anyway, so it would really be a waste.

Thanks for the feedback, and I have concluded that in the end I am gonna give em my old PC that I made for school. Haha, it doesn't cost me anything and its only 1 less PC out of 3.
specs:
-Dual 2 GHz Pentium 4s (with H/T)
-ATI Radeon X1300
-4 GB RAM
-250 GB HDD
-Win XP
-Ubuntu 8.10
-DVDrw/CDrw drive

I also found a spare 15 inch LCD display. Thanks, but they're not going mac this year. Anyway, I think the P4 will handle their tasks very well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back