All-in-One Mac · The Digital Hub · 2002
eMac
Built for classrooms that needed something rugged and affordable, the eMac put a fast G4 behind a big flat CRT. Popular enough that Apple soon sold it to everyone.
The "e" was for education: a tough, cheap all-in-one for schools.
eMac: key facts
When was the eMac released?
The eMac arrived on April 29, 2002. Apple discontinued it in October 2006.
How much did the eMac cost?
The eMac launched at $1,099 in 2002, about $1,956 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: PowerPC G4 at 700 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 39.1 GB storage, 17" flat CRT, 1280×960 display.
Why does the eMac matter?
The "e" was for education: a tough, cheap all-in-one for schools.
Full specifications
| CPU | PowerPC G4 · 700 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 128 MB (up to 1 GB) |
| Storage | 39.1 GB |
| Display | 17" flat CRT, 1280×960 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce2 MX |
| Ports | USB, FireWire, Ethernet |
| Weight | 22.7 kg |
| Dimensions | All-in-one CRT |
| Operating system | Mac OS X 10.1 |
| Released | April 29, 2002 |
| Discontinued | October 2006 |
| Launch price | $1,099 |
How the eMac compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 128× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 700 MHz, the clock is roughly 4.6× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 10,000 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $1,099 in 2002, about $1,956 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
At nearly 23 kg, it was the heaviest Mac most students ever lifted.
Related All-in-One Mac models
Open the eMac in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11