description Apple eMac Overview
The Apple eMac is an all-in-one desktop computer introduced in 2002 for the education market. Its original configuration combined a 17-inch flat CRT display with a 700 MHz PowerPC G4 processor, built-in stereo speakers, and a compact translucent enclosure. Later eMac revisions used faster PowerPC G4 processors and updated graphics, memory, and storage while retaining the integrated CRT design.
help Apple eMac FAQ
When was the Apple eMac introduced, and who was it for?
Apple introduced the eMac on April 29, 2002, as a desktop designed specifically for education. It combined a 17-inch flat CRT display with a 700 MHz PowerPC G4 processor in an all-in-one case. [Apple's launch announcement gives the date and purpose](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/04/29Apple-Unveils-New-eMac-for-Education/).
What did the original $999 eMac configuration include?
Apple's original $999 U.S. education configuration included a 700 MHz PowerPC G4, 128 MB of SDRAM, a CD-ROM drive, and a 40 GB ATA hard drive. The display was a 17-inch flat CRT with a 16-inch viewable image. [Apple listed the original configuration and price](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/04/29Apple-Unveils-New-eMac-for-Education/).
Which operating systems could the first eMac run?
The original eMac shipped with Mac OS X 10.1.4 and Mac OS 9.2.2. Its PowerPC G4 architecture makes it useful for period software and retro computing, but it cannot run current macOS releases. [Apple listed the original operating systems](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/04/29Apple-Unveils-New-eMac-for-Education/).
Why did Apple use a CRT in the eMac instead of an LCD?
The CRT helped Apple offer a large 17-inch display in a rugged, affordable education-focused computer at a starting price of $999. The later iMac G4 used a distinctive LCD design and targeted a more premium consumer market. [Apple described the eMac as an education system](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/04/29Apple-Unveils-New-eMac-for-Education/).
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