dotdotdot said:Because the eMac may be the worst computer to buy for your money now.
I have seen 20" CRTS for under $100, so a Mac mini and a 20" CRT = $600, $700 if you want the one comparable to the eMac.
You save about $100 - and who doesnt have a spare keyboard/mouse in their house? And a small, USB mouse can go for about $20 and a keyboard for about $30 and you've saved money already for the same deal as the new eMacs.
The only thing is the video card in the eMac is much better now... Rev. B mac mini will fix that.
I honestly can't see the eMac around by 2006.
Plus, the eMac still uses the White/Black Apple logo, its an OLD computer design and a pretty bad computer to buy now. Plus, if you want it to be USABLE you'll need to up the RAM...
With the eMac if the monitor goes, the computer goes as well. With the Mac mini, if the monitor goes, then "Hell yeah! I'm getting a 23" Cinema Display!!!"
The eMac is, however, very valuable for students... no wait, the iMac is - smaller for a dorm, etc.
Basically, the eMac is becoming more and more obsolete each day.
The pimped out Mini equal to the $999 eMac is like this:
$599 (Mini) + $100 (Superdrive) + $75 (RAM) + $58 (Apple Pro Keyboard and Mouse) + $75 (Cheap monitor) = $907
The eMac has a better graphics card, faster superdrive, cheaper expandibility with RAM, and a faster HD. The eMac has its place IMHO. If you like AIO designs as well which some people do.
I have an eMac because I bought the one in my signature last May. There was no way in hell I would have bought an iMac for the price. I would have bought the $1799 17" iMac G4 (I had the money.), but I could not convince myself to buy that for the price versus performance even though I still drool over buying one because it is simply stunning. I ended up with the $799 eMac and am quite happy.
That said, I would, today, buy a Mac Mini with the 20" ACD and upgrade the Mini and keep the monitor.