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Today Apple Computer, Inc announced a new all-in-one desktop line, the eMac, which is aimed specifically for the education market and is based on the original iMac range, but features a 17″ CRT screen and a 700Mhz G4 processor.

They also announced updated PowerBook G4 models.

The “e” is for Education

Introducing the eMac

“Our education customers asked us to design a desktop computer specifically for them,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “The new eMac features a 17-inch flat CRT and a powerful G4 processor, while preserving the all-in-one compact enclosure that educators love.”

All eMac models include the following;

• 700Mhz PowerPC G4 Processor
• 17″ flat CRT display with 5 resolutions from 640×480 to 1280×960
• 32MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX Graphics card
• 40GB ATA Hard Drive
• Support for optional AirPort card
• 10/100BaseT Ethernet
• Two FireWire Ports
• Five USB Ports
• Audio-in Port
• Headphone Jack
• Integrated 16-watt digital Amplifier
• Built-in Stereo Speakers
• Apple full-sized Pro Keyboard
• Apple optical Pro Mouse

The software bundled with the eMac includes Mac OS X 10.1.4, Mac OS 9.2.2, iMovie 2, iTunes, iPhoto, AppleWorks, QuickTime, Mac OS X Mail, Microsoft Internet Explorer, WorldBook Mac OS X Edition, PCalc and Acrobat Reader.

The above prices are based on the Australian Education Institution pricing. The CD-ROM model is only available Education Institutions. K-12 Teachers, Higher Ed Teachers and Students may be eligible to purchase the Combo or Custom eMac’s – Check the Apple Store Education for more details.

A lot of thought has gone in to the eMac to assist educational institutions. Something that most of us won’t care about is locating information like Serial Numbers and Ethernet ID’s, but as asset management is extremely important to schools, Apple have made this information extremely easy to access – It is located on the inside of the flap to the optical drive, which means you don’t have to get around to the back, tilt it or do any thing difficult to read it.

The new eMac, despite its’ 17″ CRT is actually 8mm shorter then the original 15″ CRT iMac, making it an ideal size for classrooms.

An optional “Tilt and Swivel” stand is also available, which allows you to raise the eMac by about 7cm and allows for a tilt of -5 to +15-degrees and a full 360-degree swivelling. The Custom Build eMac includes the eMac Stand, but it can be purchased separately for $117.70.

More information on the eMac can be found at Apple’s Education web site.

“The new eMac delivers on the promise of powerful, affordable technology for schools”

James L. Konantz, Asst. Superintendent, Instructional Technology, Los Angeles Unified School District

PowerBook G4 upgraded

The new PowerBook G4 sports a new higher-resolution display, faster processors and the industry’s only integrated Gigabit Ethernet in a notebook.

Each model includes;

• 1MB L3 & 256K L2 cache
• 133MHz system bus
• 15.2″ display with 1280×854 resolution
• 32MB ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 graphics card
• DVI video out, with DVI to VGA adapter
• Slot loading Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 56K internal modem
• PC Card expansion slot
• 1 Firewire port
• 2 USB ports
• S-Video port
• Audio line-in port
• Audio line-out port
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Internal omni-directional microphone
• Lithium-ion battery, with up to 5 hours charge
• PowerBook G4 Ports

The PowerBook G4 comes with an extremely impressive software bundle, which includes Mac OS X, Mac OS 9, iMovie 2, iTunes, iPhoto, Mac OS X Mail, PixelNhance, Art Directors Toolkit, OmniGraffle, OmniOutliner, Snapz Pro X, PCalc 2, FAXstf X, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, GraphicConverter, FileMaker Pro Trial, Acrobat Reader 5.0, and an offer for 30 days free internet access for each 3 month subscription through iPrimus.

The new display is 15.2″ with a resolution of 1280×854, which gives it 23% more pixels then the previous model. It also offers higher brightness and better colour saturation.

However, the greatest display option included with the new PowerBooks is the replacement of the VGA port with a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) connector, which allows you to connect your new PowerBook G4 up to Apple flat-panel displays, including the new 23″ Cinema HD Display, or to new generation digital projectors.

By plugging in a DVI to ADC adaptor, you have a pure digital video signal, USB data and power over a single cable to your flat-panel display. The adaptor can also be used to plug a second Apple flat-panel display into certain desktop Power Mac G4 systems.

Don’t worry, you can still connect your PowerBook to a traditional VGA monitor or projector as Apple includes a DVI to VGA adaptor when you buy the new PowerBook.

With industry innovations like on-board Gigabit ethernet and the DVI connector, the new PowerBook G4’s are destined to be award winners

“The industry’s best Pro notebook just got better,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO

Credits

Photographs courtesy of Apple Computer, Inc.

All prices listed are in Australian Dollars and include GST, unless other stated.

A copy of this article, with colour images, is available from my website, https://www.nicholaspyers.com.

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