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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, January 8, 2002

Apple introduces swivel iMac

By Matthew Fordahl
Associated Press

Steve Jobs, co-founder and chief executive of Apple, introduced the flat screen iMac at Macworld in San Francisco yesterday. The screen is on a swivel stand, which is heavy enough to prevent the machine from tilting over, and from being used as a laptop.

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Three years after rewriting the books on computer design and simplicity with the iMac, Apple Computer Inc. yesterday unveiled updated models with a flat-screen display, faster processor and a new look.

The revamped iMac looks nothing like its egg-shaped predecessor, or any other PC for that matter. A 15-inch liquid crystal display attaches by a chrome swivel bar to a white base that holds the guts of the computer.

"This is the best thing I think we've ever done," said Steve Jobs, Apple's co-founder and chief executive, during a two-hour speech at the Macworld Expo trade show.

Mac fans had been wondering for weeks what might be introduced during the show, which for years has been used by Apple to announce new products and strategies.

Most believed a new iMac would be revealed. Other rumors, such as a new handheld computer or an update to the Mac OS X, were not mentioned.

It remains to be seen whether the new iMac will take off as did its predecessor, which sold 6 million units in three years. Computer makers have been suffering through the current economic recession.

Apple has less than 5 percent of the total PC market, according to Gartner Dataquest and other analysts. Some consumers have balked at higher prices and the limited software that runs on the Apple platform.

"Our share in the computer market is larger than either Mercedes or BMW in the car market, just to put that in perspective," Jobs said in an interview. "When people see what a Mac can do, they get real excited."

The basic configuration of the newest iMac, which will cost $1,299 and be available in March, runs on a 700-megahertz G4 processor. It has 128 megabytes of memory, a 40-gigabyte hard drive and a rewritable compact disk drive.

The middle model, available in February, has twice as much memory and a combination rewritable CD drive and DVD player. It is priced at $1,499.

The flagship model, which will start selling for $1,799 this month, has an 800 MHz G4 processor, 256 megabytes of memory, a 60 gigabyte hard drive and a combination "SuperDrive" that can write and record CDs and DVDs.

All wires — including the power cord, universal serial bus cables and others — run from the back of the machine's white base. DVDs and CDs are inserted at the front, just below a large silver Apple logo.

Yet the most noticeable difference is the sharp, nonflickering liquid crystal display. The viewable area on the 15-inch monitor is the same as most 17-inch, old-style cathode ray tube monitors.

The monitor tilts in all directions and swivels. The base is heavy enough to prevent the unit from tipping over — or being used as a replacement for a laptop computer.

Jobs said the new iMacs will form a digital hub to which cameras, music players and other devices can be connected. Since announcing the digital hub strategy last year, Apple has unveiled several Mac-only programs and gadgets, including the popular iPod music player and iTunes music software.

Yesterday, Jobs unveiled another component: A program that imports, stores and helps share pictures taken by a digital camera. It also links to Internet services for printing pictures and even publishing a book.