graphic
News > Technology
Apple unveils iMac
May 6, 1998: 8:39 p.m. ET

New consumer desktop computer features unique design, low price
graphic
graphic graphic
graphic
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Proclaiming the company was back on the right track, Apple Computer Inc. Interim Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs on Wednesday introduced a unique-looking, consumer desktop computer.
     In a presentation from Apple's hometown of Cupertino, Calif., Jobs also unveiled a series of PowerBook notebook computers aimed at business professionals.
     The new consumer desktop, called the iMac, is priced at $1,299 and features Apple's G3 233-MHz processor, a 15-inch display and a 33.6 kilobits-per-second modem.
     The iMac will be available in August -- in time for the back-to-school season.
     Appearing Wednesday evening on "Moneyline With Lou Dobbs," Jobs said the "i" in iMac signifies, in part, Internet, because Apple is targeting the computer for users who "want to get on the Internet simply and fast."
     "This one is incredibly sweet. This $1,299 product is faster than the fastest Pentium II you can buy. The market's never had a consumer computer this powerful and cool-looking," he said.
     Apple's co-founder pointed out that of its 22 million customers, 10 million are in the consumer category.
     "Those users haven't been upgraded because of viability concerns about Apple, which I think we've overcome," Jobs said. "And we haven't given them a good product in a long time."
     Jobs expressed confidence that the partnership Apple formed last year with CompUSA will help drive sales of the new machines and complement Apple's strong presence in the education market.
     "When we struck the partnership, Apple's share of CompUSA [computer] revenue was 3 percent. It's now 15 percent. I think we've got the channels in place to move the products," he said.
     The latest numbers from market research firm International Data Corp. show Apple has about 4 percent of the personal computer market. When asked about his goals for increasing market share, Jobs said the company hasn't set specific targets.
     "We will keep working as hard as we can and announce the results when we get them," he said.
     Among the software included in the iMac is Intuit Inc.'s Quicken 98 Deluxe. Its inclusion is notable because Intuit on Tuesday reversed its previous decision to discontinue upgrades of its personal-finance software for the Macintosh.
     Analysts had previously speculated that Apple may have offered Intuit a deal to bundle Quicken with its new consumer desktop computer to persuade the company to change its mind.
     Jobs also bragged about the iMac's unusual design, which he called "gorgeous." The iMac has a somewhat egg-shaped, translucent case and mouse that illuminates when it's active.
    
iMac

    
Apple's iMac

     "We have been working hard on fashion, which is very important in the consumer market," Jobs said.
     Jobs also unveiled a new series of professional-level PowerBooks running on Apple's G3 233-, 266- and 292-MHz processors.
     Pricing will start from $2,299 for a 12-inch display unit to $3,499 for a PowerBook G3 with a 14-inch screen. Jobs said the professional-level PowerBooks are currently available while a consumer-level PowerBook will be ready in 1999.
     Jobs also said a PowerMac G3 professional desktop model will be available in November.
     While noting that "there have been moments when we haven't been proud of Apple," Jobs said the company is on the rebound.
     He said Apple will be working on strengthening its brand name, comparing it with such companies as Nike, Disney and Sony.
     Jobs said those companies also suffered through their share of woes and were able to recover to become some of the strongest brand names today.
     Analysts have previously stated that Apple needs to garner strong support from software developers if it is to sustain long-term growth. Still, they say it is possible for Apple to be a successful company by carving out a lucrative niche.
     Jobs noted that the company will be "rolling out some interesting software strategies" at Apple's software developer's conference next week.
     When asked about the progress in finding a permanent chief executive officer, Jobs said Apple hopes to devote more time to that soon. (104K WAV) or (104K AIFF)
     Shares of Apple (AAPL) gained 5/8 to 30- 5/16 in Wednesday trading. Back to top

  RELATED STORIES

Intuit dumps Mac Quicken - April 20, 1998

Jobs unveils speedy Macs - March 17, 1998

  RELATED SITES

Apple Computer


Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNNmoney




graphic

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.