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In an unusual move, Apple Wednesday said that the now education-only eMac was kaput, replaced by an $899 version of the Intel-based iMac, PC Mag reports.

eMacs will only be available until the current inventory is exhausted, the company says. The move marks the end of CRT-based computers for Apple.

The base iMac current retails for $1,299, but the education model will cost just $899, although features will be pared down. For example, while the iMac retains the 1.8GHz Intel Core Duo processor, the (e)iMac will employ cheaper integrated graphics chipsets, reduced storage capacity and only a 24x CDR/W-DVD-ROM combo drive. Previously, Apple offered education and private buyers the option of CD/DVD-ROM optical drives on some models to prevent software piracy.

The education iMac retains the 17″ CRT, base RAM of 512MB, and an 80GB hard drive. The built-in iSight also comes with the iMac for the price, together with Airport Extreme, FireWire 800 and a mouse and keyboard. The OS X + iLife ‘06 bundle is also included. More …

Apple has posted a FAQ article on the announced eMac Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues:

The eMac Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues applies to eMac computers that exhibit a certain video or power-related issue as a result of a specific component failure. These computers were sold between approximately April 2004 and June 2005. If your eMac is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below and your computer’s serial number is within the noted ranges, your computer may be eligible for repair, free of charge. If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) determines that your eMac computer is eligible as part of the program, the repair will be covered by Apple for up to three years from the original date of purchase even if your eMac is out of warranty. This is a worldwide Apple program.

Affected systems will exhibit one of the following video- or power-related symptoms:

* Scrambled or distorted video
* No video
* No power

Note: If your eMac is not experiencing any of these symptoms, you do not have to contact Apple or any Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Which eMac computers are affected by the eMac Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues?

The program is available for certain eMac models that were sold between approximately April 2004 and June 2005 featuring 1GHz and 1.25GHz G4 processors.

The affected eMac computers have serial numbers where the first 5 digits fall into the ranges noted below.

Serial Number ranges:

* G8412xxxxxx - G8520xxxxxx
* YM412xxxxxx - YM520xxxxxx
* VM440xxxxxx - VM516xxxxxx