Apple eMac Desktop 17" M9150LL/A (800-MHz PowerPC G4, 128 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, CD-ROM Drive)

Affordable, user-friendly and surprisingly diminutive, Apple's new eMac series of desktop computers meshes well with situations where space is at a premium and the user is not necessarily a computing expert. It is therefore a particularly good fit in the elementary or high school classroom.p The least expensive member of the new eMac trio, the eMac Desktop 17" M9150LL/A, is distinguished from other eMacs by virtue of its slower processor, smaller hard disk and less capable optical drive format. The unit is powered by an 800 MHz PowerPC G4 processor, 128 MB of SDRAM memory (expandable to one full GB) and an efficient ATI Radeon 7500 graphics chipset with 32 MB of dedicated DDR SDRAM memory. Data handling options include an adequate 40 GB hard disk for file and data storage, a CD-ROM drive through which users may play audio and video CDs and install programs, and a pair of high-speed FireWire 400 ports and five traditional USB 1.1 ports for interaction with peripheral devices such as scanners and digital cameras.p The eMac Desktop 17" M9150LL/A features a variety of E-communication facilities include a standard 56K modem, a 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port and an 802.11 wireless connection (with the addition of Apple's AirPort Extreme card). Surprisingly, Apple has managed to equip the system with a generous 17-inch flat CRT display screen while adhering to the space-efficient exterior dimensions of its popular 15-inch-CRT-based iMac.p Bundled software includes Mac OS X, World Book 2003, Quicken 2003 Deluxe, and a broad range of powerful multimedia utilities. Prospective buyers should note that the eMac supports the operation of Mac OS 9 in Classic mode and integrates with most existing printers and scanners.