Apple Computer, Inc., (Nasdaq: AAPL) today formally announced the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh. The innovative, flat-panel design features a total entertainment center including a television tuner; CD player; full computer hardware, including a PowerPC 603 RISC processor; FM radio tuner; Acoustimass sound system by Bose; cable adapter for composite video; and a custom keyboard with detachable trackpad.
"We were looking to define a radically new solution in Industrial Design when we began designing the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh," said Jonathan Ive, Apple's senior director of Industrial Design. "Its smooth integration of personal computer and consumer appliance are clear indications of the future of technology design."
In 1984, Apple introduced a computer-human design interface whose success can only be measured in its pervasive imitation. Leveraging its leadership in multimedia computing, Apple is offering a glimpse of future design. The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh makes a profound visual statement with its rich features of polished metal casing and Italian leather. A sleek, 2-inch, side profile houses the active-matrix display, hard and floppy drives, CD/CR-ROM drive, cable TV tuner, and AM/FM tuner.
"For 20 years, Apple has embraced design with performance and utility, inventing products that inspire creativity and expression," said Guerrino De Luca, executive vice president of Apple's marketing. "The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh represents another giant step forward and demonstrates Apple's user-centric computing philosophy."
The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh offers a careful integration of human interface aspects that sets a new standard for computer design. While other companies have tried to push the envelope of computing with incremental increases in hardware design, including subtle changes in color or a more "wind-swept" box, the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh out-trumps them all with an ergonomic sculpture that proves the adage that "less is more."
The sound system of the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh was custom-designed by Bose Corporation, the world's leading audio technology company. Two-inch, wide-range speakers flank the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh and are augmented by a separate Acoustimass module that delivers deep, rich bass.
The result is the first computer sound system that envelops the user and provides an uncanny sense of interactivity with what takes place on screen. The Acoustimass module, designed to be placed on the floor and out of sight, also cleverly hides the power supply and is connected to the main unit with just one cable.
Using only the best available active-matrix screens, the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh offers a bright, flat-panel display that renders lifelike images in thousands of colors. The same design also contributes to a slim CPU footprint, which greatly simplifies placement of the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh in home or office.
In addition to the CD-ROM drive and 12.1-inch active matrix screen, the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh concept features a fast 250Mhz PowerPC processor, a 2GB drive and 32MB RAM to run any applications. Standard Macintosh SCSI and serial ports also are included, as well as a S-video in port with composite video feeds.
Apple will offer a total of 12,000 units of the limited-edition Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh in five countries: France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States. U.S. customers will be able to purchase the special edition for approximately $7,500, which is scheduled to ship in June. Actual prices may vary, depending on reseller. Apple suggests that interested buyers register their intent to purchase on the website (http://www.twentiethanniversary.apple.com), which acts as a direct channel between Apple and a limited number of authorized dealers. Authorized dealers will be announced on the website on April 7, 1997.
Apple plans to provide customers with concierge service when they purchase the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, including home delivery and set-up of the units along with full instructions on how each component works. Each customer also will be given an extensive three-year warranty and a special support line to answer questions.
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the information industry and leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, handheld computers and Internet content. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple develops, manufactures, licenses and markets solutions, products, technologies and services for business, education, consumer, entertainment, scientific and engineering and government customers in more than 140 countries.
Customer Information Contact: If you are considering the purchase of an Apple product and would like to have product information faxed to you, please call 800-462-4396 in the U.S. or 415-598-4329 in Canada. If you do not have a fax machine or would like to locate an Apple authorized reseller near you, please call 800-538-9696. Customers outside the U.S. should contact their local Apple representatives for information.
NOTE: Apple, Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, the Apple logo, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.
SOURCE Apple Computer Inc.
NOTE TO EDITORS: To access Apple press releases, background material, and contact information on the web, visit The Source at: http://www.apple.com/source/. If you are interested in receiving Apple press releases by fax, call 800-AAPL-FAX (800-227-5329) and enter your PIN number. If you do not have a PIN number, contact Apple's Media Helpline at 408-974-2042 to request one. If you would like to receive Apple press releases by email, please send an email message to pressrel@thing2.info.apple.com. In the subject field, type the text "subscribe [your full name]."/
CONTACT: Kristin Brownstone, 408-974-3120, or email: brownstone1@apple.com; or Katie Cotton, 408-974-7269, or email: katiec@apple.com, both of Apple Computer, Inc.
No comments:
Post a Comment