bpali2001
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: What could i use my eMac for?

So i basically ordered an eMac online. Its in perfect condition and still working like a charm. its the original 2002 model. 700mhz 40gb and 512mb ram. and unfortunately cd drive. it can't read dvds. i wanted to set it up as an entertainment system sort of. but now with cds only...no thank you. Does anyone have an idea on how i could set this thing up maybe? Thank you

eMac 2002, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 700mhz 40gb 512mb. cd drive

Posted on Mar 7, 2015 1:49 AM

by Umberto Uno,Solvedanswer
Umberto Uno Umberto Uno
Level 1 (14 points)
A:

With his permission, I recently saved an eMac from a neighbour's hard waste collection.  It still functions wonderfully well despite being stored in a garden shed since 2008.  It is the 700 Mhz model but with a DVD burner.  Connected to a router through ethernet and browsing with TenFourFox it seemed fast enough.  I have installed Office 2011 from a backup disc I had, VLC for media and Formulate Pro to mark up PDFs.  I have decided to spring for extra RAM and an Airport card - more than the whole computer is worth, I know.  I am not sure what is available for email.  And I wonder if an iSight camera could be made to work with an old version of Skype.  Dropbox still supports OS X 10.4.11.  Anyway, I will let you know how I go.  I would be interested to hear what you and others eventually do with your eMacs.

Posted on Apr 1, 2015 11:37 PM

Close
bpali2001

Q: What could i use my eMac for?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Previous Page 2

  • by Umberto Uno,

    Umberto Uno Umberto Uno Apr 24, 2015 5:12 PM in response to bpali2001
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Apr 24, 2015 5:12 PM in response to bpali2001

    As promised, this is where I have got to updating my 700mhz eMac.  The point was to see what could be done to connect the eMac to the modern setting.  The short answer is, not very much.

    I bought a few pieces.  This is what they cost.

    Item

    Description

    Cost $

    Not used

    Cost $

    1. 1.   

    Keyboard A1048 to replace the badly damaged Pro keyboard

     

    $35

    1. 2.   

    Power cable

     

    $15

    1. 3.   

    RAM 2 x 512mb PC133

     

    $30

    1. 4.   

    Airport Card – not used

    $45

    $0

    1. 5.   

    Wireless network adapter TP-Link

     

    $57

    1. 6.   

    Speaker covers – an indulgence

     

    $36

    1. 7.   

    PRAM battery

     

    $12

     

    Total

     

    $185.00

     

     

     

     

     

    The Airport card will not connect to my wireless network, even though it has the capacity to connect to WPA2, unless I turn off all security for the network - not something I will do - and then it connects easily enough.  Even then, the card only provides 802.11b connection and so the Internet experience is very slow, as Allan Jones notes.  However the TP-Link Wi Fi extender allows the eMac to connect to the Internet using an Ethernet cable at 802.11n and so the Internet experience is much improved, though certainly not lightening fast.  And of course any video content requiring a flash player will not play.

    It should be possible for my iMac to connect to the eMac over Ethernet using the ‘connect to server’ function – it is another room, I do not have Ethernet cabling and the eMac is too big to fit into my study.  But so far, I have not worked out how to do that yet over the TP-Link.

    Video chatting seems not possible on the eMac.  As far as I can tell, there is no video conferencing app for OS X 10.4.11. I have seen suggestions people have modified old versions of Skype so that they can at least have audio chats. But for me, modifying the software as suggested only damaged it so that it would not open.  So there is no point buying an i-Sight camera – the only webcam that will work with the eMac – even though there are plenty available at around $100.

    Upgrading to an Intel processor is not possible it seems, because no other processor or logic board of any kind can be fitted to this particular model eMac.

    Sadly, I have reached the eMac’s limits, unless one of you has a suggestion for how it’s hardware could be upgraded.  Absent that, I am going to unplug it and return the eMac to the peaceful slumber it has enjoyed since 2008.

  • by Knuckles2001,

    Knuckles2001 Knuckles2001 May 9, 2015 6:39 AM in response to bpali2001
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Notebooks
    May 9, 2015 6:39 AM in response to bpali2001

    You could play games on it and is it a OS 9 model You could use it as a music player because iTunes runs great on those models Hope I helped But of luck

  • by realnanners,

    realnanners realnanners Jun 6, 2015 10:41 AM in response to bpali2001
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 6, 2015 10:41 AM in response to bpali2001

    I Still use my eMac as a second backup computer. But there si many great games you could play on it, also its wonderful for listening to music. the eMac has one of the best speakers of its time.

  • by cliffrock,

    cliffrock cliffrock Aug 7, 2016 8:04 AM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 7, 2016 8:04 AM in response to Allan Jones

    amen to the OS9 comment. I like an old outlook express email program. No email program even close. Email is a curse in business.

Previous Page 2