Okay, after a few months of procrastination my parents (mum specificially) will be buying a computer. Basic needs i guess, simple email, internet, and solitaire. Dad may extend it to spreadsheeds and word docs.
Buuuuut my sister has an iBook and she might want a computer which may provide additional features like superdrive and stuff like that... Plus a bigger hard drive would be better.

Anyway, here's my choices. Want to spend roughly $1,500. Here's my thoughts:

Mini
- small
- allows me to purchase a 17" lcd
- flexibility to upgrade
- slow hard drive
- if i search hard could be the cheaper option

eMac
- bigger and heavier (and not so sexy) though space isn't really an issue
- comes with one happy package (oh do they come with mighty mice yet?)
- not really future proof
- better and bigger hard drive and graphics card
- less wires

I know that there's connectivity options with each comp but me being brainy me eliminated the hardship and moved the wireless modem router to the study. Computer with be connected thru ethernet to speak to mr internet - so now having a wireless card is now not a factor.

I'm kinda leaning to the eMac. But i just want to make sure i am not missing anything. Should be buying it today. Parents are procrastinators but when they make up their mind they want everything now now now.

How about a 2nd hand sexy G4 iMac?? Should be able to get a good specimen for a similar price...

No, they don't come with a Mighty Mouse.

I'd go for the eMac.

Yeah i thought about that - but they want something new. I should have said that should i? :P
We have been quite unlucky with consumer goods (not apple yet) so they prefer things that they can swipe on card so they can get extended warranty.

Tough choice, mac mini is sexier, especially with a LCD, but from practical point of view and bigger bang for the buck, go for eMac.
As you noted, less wires
andy

Keep it simple,
Get the emac. Great machine and how future proof does it have to be. I hope to have my emac for at least the next 5 years. All in one design looks great the screen is great. The only drawback is the noise from the fan. If they are in a quiet area like me, you really notice it. btw, I can hear my fridges its so quiet out here.
Mark

Buy the Mac Mini. They are quieter. Get the base model and add an external DVD burner that can be hidden in a drawer and your Sister can use anytime she likes. She can even pitch in for this financially. Possible upgrades to the DVD burner are much easier this way.

If speed is really an issue, fit a 7200 rpm laptop drive later.

Or, wait for Apple to speed bump and just replace the Mini itself. I know it will be hard, but if you can get them used to the idea of selling the Mini second hand and buying a new one when they need something better, the change over price should be measured in the hundreds rather than over one thousand.

Most people (not just oldies) have problems moving the eMac, so IF it breaks down (or they want/need to pay for training) and IF they have to make use of a paid technician (ie. not you!), they will probably pay extra for an onsite visit.

Get a screen that has a no dead pixel guarantee like Philips.

Do your research, and you should be able to get it all for your $1500, otherwise your sister may have to pitch in :-)

I got my parents an eMac, they love it. I considered a Mini+LCD or Cube+LCD combo, but the room they use it in has huge windows, and it gets very bright. LCDs suck in sunlight. Not suck in, I mean 'are terrible in'...crap where's my coffee?

emac for sure
it will run faster then the mini mainly due to the hard drive speed
emacs are the best value system apple sell and have been for many years

speaking of which, where can you get these?
theyre quite hard to find.....

if secondhand - look on eBay for a late model G4 iMac

if new - go the eMac, good value and simple design in one neat package

Get the eMac. In my opinion older people don't need any challenges when it comes to technology. The eMAc looks like a computer should. The mini is just too..... new and tiny and not computery I reckon.

At 1.42ghz with a nice fat hard drive and a dvd burner it'll do them well for years. People get hung up on having the fastest and the latest when a nice machine like an eMac kicks a fair bit of arse for the non-massive number crunching user. It handles all my interneting, DVD burning and photoshopping needs so I doubt they'll be dissatisfied with the speed. And although the fan noise is definitely there, unless you are super sensitive I doubt it will be an issue. I don't hear it anymore. Doubt if I ever did because when people bring it up it always feels like fresh news.

The point about bright rooms and LCDs is a good one.

Plus, get an applecare protection plan for 3 years and they will be laughing. Onsite repairs if it's too bulky to carry to a store.

Another vote for the eMac. It offers better bang for buck and its a pretty solid machine. Performance is also pretty good.

One thing though, does the latest rev. eMac use 5400 or 7200RPM drives?

eMac.

Comes with reasonable speakers that don‘t take up more space on a power strip/need cables.

Also comes with standard Apple keyboard and mouse which is a bonus. No need to confuse anyone with 3rd party Windows keyboards. One button mouse is good for the oldies.

As mentioned. Drawback is noise. But not noisier than the standard PC.

Gotta say, my vote goes for the mini.

Especially if you pair it with an Apple keyboard and mouse, to help keep the cables down.

I guess I am a little biased, as I like the idea that the brains of the system can be easily upgraded / replaced down the track. (ie. eMac screen starts flaking out after warranty = major fix, whereas if one part of a mini setup fails, you can just replace it)

I can see the convenience in having the all in one, but a few extra cables don't really bother me.

And also, a 17" lcd would be bigger in viewable area that the eMac 17" CRT while being clearer at its native resolution.