Apple unveils thinner, cheaper iBooks
Published: 02 May 2001 07:33 BST
Apple Computer chief executive Steve Jobs has unveiled a new version of the iBook laptop that is thinner, lighter and cheaper than its predecessor.
As previously reported, the unit is all white and bears more resemblance to the sleek Titanium G4 PowerBook than the curvy, bulky iBook it replaces. The new iBook has a 500MHz PowerPC G3 processor, weighs 4.9 pounds -- 2 pounds lighter than its predecessor -- and is considerably thinner at 1.3in thick. The notebook's 12in screen can show 1,024-by-768 pixels, as opposed to the 800-by-600-pixel resolution of many 12in screens.
"We think this will set a new standard," Jobs said at a briefing with reporters at the company's headquarters here.
Jobs also used the event on Tuesday to announce that a second upgrade to Mac OS X with the ability to burn CDs, is now available. The first uupgrade, released at the end of April, still lacked this feature.
The new iBook, which will start shipping in about two weeks, comes in four versions, each identical in appearance but with a different optical drive.
The entry-level version, which comes with 64MB of memory, a 10GB hard drive and a CD-ROM drive, will sell for $1,299 (£900) in the US -- $200 less than the previous low-end iBook. UK pricing has not yet been announced.
All of the other models come with 128MB of memory. One of those models, which can play DVD movies, will sell for $1,499 (£1,045). A version with a CD-rewritable drive will cost $1,599 (£1,115). The highest-end iBook, which has a combination drive that can record CDs and play DVD movies -- but not record DVDs -- will sell for $1,799 (£1,255).
Apple is going to price its entry-level notebook even lower for schools, teachers and some students -- offering it at $1,199 (£835) for the education market.
Guernsey Research analyst Chris LeTocq said the timing of the launch at the start of the so-called education-buying season and the large deal with the school district are encouraging signs that Apple is making headway to regain ground lost to Dell Computer. Last year, Apple slipped to number two in the education market.
"This is Apple landing on the beaches to take care of education and grab back what they feel is theirs," LeTocq said.
LeTocq also praised the new iBook, saying it offers a good combination of price and features. He had only the most minor of critiques.
"In a perfect world, you could wish for something like this to have a handle" like the previous iBook did, he said.
The original iBook was released in September 1999 in colours to match the iMac. Apple has sold 700,000 iBooks, Jobs said.
The four models all feature FireWire and USB ports, as well as video-out ports that allow the iBook to connect to a projector, television or a second monitor. However, a second monitor will only mirror the display of the iBook as opposed to serving as extra display area.
Meanwhile, the second upgrade to Mac OS X will be available for download on Apple's Web site Tuesday afternoon. Mac OS X also has a feature that allows people to get their software updated automatically. It will take about a week to send the upgrade to all OS X owners because it is done in blocks, Apple said.
Jobs had promised at the time of the new operating system's launch that the CD-burning feature would be available by the end of April.
LeTocq said it was important for Apple to get that update in the hands of Mac owners. "That's something that people were really waiting for."
Staff writer Michael Kanellos contributed to this report
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