Apple Computer Europe and Microsoft Corporation Sign Far-Reaching Co-Marketing and Joint Shipment Agreement

Apple and Microsoft to Bring More Ease-of-Use and Power to European Customers with Microsoft Office Joint Shipment

Paris, France--Aug. 28, 1996--Apple Computer Europe and Microsoft Corporation today announced a broad co-marketing effort and joint shipment agreement. Microsoft Office , the best-selling software suite, will be jointly shipped with selected Power Macintosh models. Starting Sept. 1, 1996, selected configurations of the Power Macintosh 7600 and Power Macintosh 8200 will be shipped with Microsoft Office for Macintosh, version 4.2.1.

This agreement in Europe reaffirms Microsoft's commitment to the Mac platform and Mac users. Microsoft Office is an integrated suite of the leading business productivity applications for the Macintosh and includes Microsoft Word 6.0.1, Microsoft Excel 5.0, Microsoft PowerPoint 4.0, and a client license for Microsoft or Quarterdeck Mail for AppleTalk networks. European customers will be able to take advantage of these bundled solutions in Danish, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish versions.

In addition, the companies will be working closely together to promote the success of these new Power Macintosh offerings. Extensive co-marketing and customer support activities will include product support training, joint reseller and sales force training, direct mail campaigns, Internet promotions, and co-advertising.

"This agreement between Microsoft and Apple opens a new era of cooperation between the two companies. Microsoft has been committed and has a long lasting commitment to the Macintosh, and is Apple's largest software developer," said Marco Landi, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Apple Computer Inc. "The real winners in such a cooperative effort are our mutual customers, who will find unparalleled ease of use and power in our combined solutions," he continued.

"This agreement with Microsoft clearly demonstrates our commitment to provide focused solutions which give our customers added value," commented Jan Larsen, general manager and vice president of sales, Apple Computer Europe. "These new solutions will enable our users to increase their productivity and provide them with a competitive edge," he added.

"This continued cooperation between Apple and Microsoft will bring Macintosh users the enormous benefits of the best and the most comprehensive desktop solutions in terms of features, ease of use, and power. This is yet another demonstration of Microsoft's longstanding commitment to Apple and the Mac platform," commented Bernard Vergnes, President Microsoft Europe.

Microsoft Office applications for Macintosh began with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel in 1985. Today, Microsoft Office and the Office applications for Macintosh continue to be the best-selling applications in their categories. Microsoft Office 4.2.1 offers unparalleled ease of use and consistency of interface across the suite. For cross-platform customers, Microsoft Office for Macintosh allows users to easily share files, macros, graphics, and other information with users of Macintosh, Power Macintosh, and Microsoft Windows platforms.

The announcement today reinforces Apple's commitment to customers for all segments who need integrated general productivity as well as real cross platform openness and compatibility. With the Power Macintosh 8200/120, Apple makes further steps to better serve the needs of the small and medium business customers in Europe.

With a 120 MHz PowerPC 601+ microprocessor and 256K of Level 2 cache, the Power Macintosh 8200/120 runs applications up to 40% faster than the 8200/100. The Power Macintosh 8200 was designed and engineered in Ireland to address the specific demand for powerful Macintosh in a convenient mini-tower expandable and space saving design and at an affordable price.The joint business solution makes it ideal for the most demanding business users.

Ideal for education, corporate applications and low-end publishing, the new Power Macintosh 7600/132 adds the PowerPC 604 microprocessor, a 256K Level 2 cache and clock speed improvements to provide up to a 50 percent performance improvement over the current Power Macintosh 7500/100. The joint shipment is the best solution for the special needs of users in education, corporate applications and low-end publishing.

European Pricing and Availability:

* Apple European Prices

Recommended retail prices only. Does not include monitor and keyboard. Prices Excl. VAT.

Actual retail prices, configurations and availability may vary by country. Please contact your local Apple PR representative for specific pricing, configuration and availability information.

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, personal digital assistants 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.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Press Information Contact:
Nancy Keith Kelly
Apple Computer, Inc. (USA)
(408) 974-2133
email: nancy.kk@applelink.apple.com

Catherine Fix
Waggener Edstrom
(503) 524-9089

Jean Pierre Le Calvez
Apple Computer Europe
Tel: 011 33 1 69 86 33 94
email: lecalvez.jp@applelink.apple.com

Delphine Reyre
Microsoft Europe
Tel. : 011 33 1 46 35 10 46
email:dreyre@microsoft.com

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Apple's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/
Apple Europe's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.euro.apple.com/
Microsoft's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.microsoft.com/

Apple, the Apple logo, AppleTalk, Macintosh, and Power Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft, PowerPoint and Windows are either registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the US and/or other countries. All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.