Apple Updates Macintosh System 7.5

Delivers Performance Enhancements and Native Versions of Core Technologies

CUPERTINO, Calif., March 15, 1995 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq-NNM: AAPL) today announced availability of Macintosh System 7.5 Update 1.0 and QuickDraw GX 1.1.1. With these updates to the latest version of the Mac OS, Apple is providing customers with usability and performance enhancements to Macintosh System 7.5, and a "native" version of Apple Guide written to take specific advantage of PowerPC-based Power Macintosh computers.

Significance

Macintosh System 7.5 Update 1.0 is one in a series of Apple System Update releases designed to deliver fixes and performance enhancements to the Mac OS software. A few of these enhancements include: improved handling of low-memory situations, faster file sharing, the ability to turn off the computer using the keyboard Power On key, and the addition of Macintosh Drag and Drop support to the Launcher so that it is easier to add or remove items.

Apple Guide, introduced with Macintosh System 7.5, is Apple's interactive, intuitive online help system. Version 1.2.5 of Apple Guide is PowerPC native and includes a number of performance enhancements for users of System 7.5 on Macintosh systems that are based on the Motorola 680x0 processor.

Macintosh System 7.5 Update 1.0 also includes PowerTalk, Version 1.1.1, a new release of Apple's collaboration technology. The new version includes several performance improvements as well as an update to the guided tour, a new version of the direct dial-up utility, and new or revised versions of several PowerTalk gateways that provide interoperability between PowerTalk and communications services.

QuickDraw GX, also part of Macintosh System 7.5, is Apple's advanced graphics and imaging technology. QuickDraw GX, Version 1.1.1 offers significant performance improvements in the areas of styled text, font down-loading, dialog speed and management of large character-set fonts, such as Japanese Kanji. Improvements to the user interface include: an improved desktop-printer icon display while printing; the ability to disable manual feed alerts; improved printing options for applications that do not take advantage of QuickDraw GX; the N-Up extension, which allows users to print multiple pages on a single sheet of paper; and better support for encapsulated PostScript output, which is a standard requirement among many customers. The update also provides new application programming interfaces for printing, graphics and line layout.

Pricing and Availability

Macintosh System 7.5 Update 1.0 is being made available to the public on most major online services, including: eWorld, AppleLink, the America Online Internet FTP Gateway, CompuServe, and Prodigy. The update also will be posted on the following Apple Internet sites: Apple Computer Higher Education gopher server; ftp.support.apple.com; ftp.info.apple.com. The update will be posted as two separate folders within the Apple Software Updates folder -- one installation for the System 7.5 Update 1.0 software and another for the QuickDraw GX 1.1.1 software. In addition, the PowerTalk Guided Tour, Direct Dialup utility, and updated PowerTalk gateways will be posted in a PowerTalk folder within the Apple Software Updates folder.

In the United States, Macintosh System 7.5 customers who are not able to download the updates from an online service or the Internet can order System 7.5 Update 1.0 and QuickDraw GX 1.1.1 after April 3, 1995, by calling 1-800-769-2775, ext. 5794. The update kits will be available on a CD-ROM or on floppy disks for just a shipping and handling fee of U.S. $10.00 (surface delivery) or U.S. $15.00 (overnight delivery). Current Macintosh System 7.5 Volume License Maintenance subscribers will automatically receive one master set of System 7.5 Update 1.0 and QuickDraw GX 1.1.1 software as part of their subscription.

In addition, Apple will include the Macintosh System 7.5 Update 1.0 and QuickDraw GX 1.1.1 software on computer systems it sells, beginning in April, 1995. Outside the United States, the System 7.5 Update 1.0 and QuickDraw GX 1.1.1 will be available in several localized versions.

Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the information industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy to use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, online services, and personal digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products, technologies and services for the business, education, consumer, scientific & engineering and government markets in over 140 countries.

NOTE: Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, AppleLink, and Performa are registered trademarks, and Power Macintosh, Mac, PowerTalk, QuickDraw, and eWorld are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. PowerPC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, used under license there from.

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/CONTACT: Ken Smith, 408-974-5675, or Nancy Morrison, 408-862-6200, both of Apple Computer, Inc./