iMac, eMac Recommendations?

Which is better?

[Brad]

I'm coming at this from a Windows only background and I'm not sure about Mac features. Price wise the eMac looks like the better deal. Any thoughts on either of these?

Also how much RAM is needed in a Mac?

[mivox]

Go with 256 Ram and you'll be fine for almost anything. I personally want an eMac w/ tilt & swivel stand and SuperDrive... the big comparative selling point on the iMac is the flat screen, and "artsy" form factor.

IMNSHO, the eMac is the better value.

[Macguru]

I will echo mivox on that. But I also get a NSHO (Not So Humble Opinion) of my own. :)

Both the iMac and the eMac are very similar machines, therefore they both suffer the same weaknesses. Those boxes are intended for the consumer market. Both of them are closed boxes. You just cannot pop in anything you like under the hood as easily you can on a tower model.

For the same money, you can get a older G4. Then you are in pure heaven! Plus, getting a used model, from another individual, often includes a gold mine of software, and you can keep your current PC monitor to run on it. This will ease the transition while switching.

I think some older Mac G4 is a better value than a new iMac or eMac. But it all depends on what you use a computer for.

[mivox]

Ditto what Macguru said... I was sticking strictly to the original options. :)

[Brad]

Hi mivox and Macguru,

I ordered an eMac. Thanks for your help. :)

Any tips on antivirus software and firewalls for the Mac?

[mivox]

I use Norton Systemworks/Antivirus. Been using Norton on my Macs for years, and it's saved me from tons of lost data and a couple of nasty viruses.

Never used a firewall... never had a problem that required one.

[EliteWeb]

Hello Brad :) Great question you ask there pretaining to the anti-virus software, since you purchased a new machine it will be running Mac OS X, as it stands there are not any Mac OS X specific viruses in the wild. What you will run into is viruses that run in classic (Mac OS 9) which may come installed also which allows you to run non-macosx based applications.

Currently there is Virex and Norton AntiVirus for Mac OS X, they have protection against Mac OS 9 viruses but what your going to notice in the updates for virus definitions are the addition of Macro Viruses, many of which - only pretain to Windows but always a plus.

Its good to have protection and i wouldnt recommend going without it. Intego's VirusBarrier when avaliable for OS X will be a nice one, but for now stick to virex or Norton - out of the box i recommend Norton AntiVirus for Mac OS X.

[Macguru]

I use Northon too. Not that a Mac user *really* needs it. I believe less than 40 virus can infect the Mac platform, compared to many thousands for Windows.

I once spread a Word macro nasty to a team of co workers using Windows. I could not know since the Mac was not affected. I since use Northon to avoid spreading viries to my friends using PCs.

The firewall is another thing. Most Macs dont need any. But since Mac OS X, a UNIX flavor, the Mac is more vulnerable to outsiders. If your Mac is wired to the net via a fixed IP connection (cable, adsl, T1 or better) your are more likely to meet problems.

I hope your eMac will come bundeled with Jaguar (the latest Mac OS X). It is provided with is own firewall.

[Brad]

>>I hope your eMac will come bundeled with Jaguar (the latest Mac OS X). It is provided with is own firewall.

It does come with Jaguar. And I'm glad I stopped in here and saw the post above first while on my way to Norton to order. You saved me some money since I did not need to order a firewall in addition to the antivirus. Thanks.

[Macguru]

Hi Brad,

Here is a link that will help you to set up your firewall.

[developer.apple.com...]

[glengara]

Hi Guys, I'm on an old I-mac using OS9, but am tempted both by that flat screen and OSX.

Is a second-hand G4 tower with a new flat screen a good solution to my temptations?

[Macguru]

When you say flat screen, do you mean a conventional CRT or those flat LCD panel displays?

I like tower models, because I like to use many disks, many monitors at once and the likes.
I like to try new hardware in the machine. With a tower you get more expandability.

If you dont need it. Maybe the eMac is better suited. It has a great value.

[EliteWeb]

Ouch I wouldn't get mixed up in setting up ipfw if yer a newbie to UNIX. In the article it mentions BrickHouse for Graphically configuring it which is cool but I believe Jaguar has a GUI based configuration utility for the Firewall. I havent checked yet since i dont have the boxed version of the OS :P But they should or it does or it will next update have a firewall utility.

And If you purchased .Mac which you can from Apple's site you get antivirus software as well as backup software for 99 a year plus email etc. that may be the route you want to take.

[glengara]

Hi Macguru, it's those LCD screens that have me salivating, as well as the idea of getting rid of a 'box' on my desk.

[Macguru]

OK then. With Apple's current rebate on flat LCD displays when you purchase a new G4, you get a twin 867 Mhz system with a 17 " flat pannel display for 2 700 $.

You could get a second hand G4 and a new 17 " flat panel display for around 1 500 $.

The iMac with a single 800 Mhz G4 and a 17 " flat pannel display is 2 000$. Either models will get you an impressive performance boost. If you do image, film or sound processing, you will meet this 700 $ difference in time saved very soon.

The eMac starts at 1 100 % and comes with a 0.25-mm dot pitch flat 17 " CRT. It is a great bargain.

On the other hand, only the iMac will let you get rid of the box on your desk. Can you live with a second hand G4 under your desk? ;)