This week Apple announced the immediate availability of two new models of their entry-level eMac computer. The eMac is an all-in-one machine, with a 17-inch CRT display. eMacs are undoubtedly the best value, dollar for feature, in the entire Mac product lineup. In fact, as I discovered by comparing them with the entry-level offering on Dell’s website, they’re even less expensive than a Dell.

You say, “No, I just saw the commercial. The Dell Dimension 2400 is supposed to be $439. No way the Mac can beat that!” Look close at what that $439 gets you, especially when you’re in the market for a home multimedia computer that can handle digital photos, music, and video. The two “test subjects”? In the “sweetness and light” corner, the Apple eMac. Fighting out of the “Dark Side” corner, the Dell Dimension 2400.

Processor. eMac has new 1.25 GHz G4, Dell has 2.66 GHz Pentium 4. Equivalent basic computing power.

The eMac comes standard with 256MB of RAM. The Dell comes with 128MB, so it’s another $70 for 256.

Monitors. Both have 17-inch CRTs. eMac’s .25 dot pitch a tad better than Dell’s .27 dot pitch.

Hard Drives and Optical Drives. Both come with a 40GB hard drive. The eMac ships with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM “combo drive”. To get the same drive on the Dell, add another $89.

We’ll need a FireWire card to attach the video camera to. Standard on the eMac. An additional $50 on the Dell. Plus, the eMac comes with the Radeon 9200 video processor, while the Dell is runs Integrated Intel graphics.

Where the two systems really start to diverge is in the included software. The eMac comes loaded with Apple’s award-winning iLife photo, movie and music suite (as well as the GarageBand music studio). To get the same level of software to support the multimedia capabilities, you’ll need to spend another $60 on Microsoft Plus for Windows XP and Digital Media Edition and Record Now!, as well as $50 for Dell Jukebox Plus and Picture Studio and Photo Album Premium.

As the Dell website recommends Windows XP Professional for students, there’s another $70 for that. Throw in $69 for anti-virus, $29 for MS Works, and you’re talking about $977. What’s the eMac price? $799. Man, PCs sure are expensive compared to Macs!

© 2004 Peter F. Zimowski