Just because you can use Emacs for everything doesn't mean you should. I use Emacs solely for editing code. I use MacIrssi/Xchat/Opera for IRC, a web browser (Opera, Chrome, Firefox ... anything at all) for browsing the web, GMail for email, Adium/Empathy for IM. I don't even run eshell; I prefer running multiple Terminal.apps/gnome-terminals.

You don't have to use Emacs just because rockstars use it. I know awesome people who run Windows and use Notepad++.