PRODUCT UPDATE

Apple Macintosh System Software 6.0.5

Dateline:  SAN JOSE, California--March 19, 1990

Product Description:   Macintosh System Software 6.0.5 is the latest version of the operating system for the Macintosh personal computer family.

Significance:  Macintosh System Software 6.0.5 incorporates hardware support fo the Macintosh IIfx, the Macintosh Display Card 8.24 and the Macintosh Display Card 8.24 GC, also announced today.  Additionally, System 6.0.5 contains minor bug fixes which may be appropriate for some users.  System Software 6.0.5 transparently co-exists in networked environments with Macintosh System Software versions 6.0.2, 6.0.3 and 6.0.4.

System Software 6.0.5 is required when using the following products:

• Macintosh IIfx (6.0.5 is included with every Macintosh IIfx)
• Macintosh Display Card 8.24 and Macintosh Display Card 8.24 GC (6.0.5 will be included with these cards for 90 days following availability)
• Third-party software or hardware products that require 6.0.5 (these products will carry the label "requires 6.0.5 or later" on the outside of the box)

In addition, Apple recommends 6.0.5 if using any of the following products:

• Macintosh Portable
• Macintosh IIci
• 32-Bit QuickDraw

See following page for additional technical information.

Availability:  Immediately

Update Policy: The software and manuals for Macintosh System Software 6.0.5 are available for a suggested U.S. retail price of $49.95.

Installation Procedure: To ensure the proper installation of 6.0.5, remove any virus detection and/or security programs from the System Folder.  These programs can be re-installed after installation of 6.0.5.

Distribution Channels: System Software 6.0.5 will be packaged with all new Macintosh personal computers beginning immediately.  It is also available through all authorized Apple resellers, AppleLink and other electronic bulletin boards.

Technical Information on 6.0.5:Below is a brief description of the changes made in 6.0.5 to better support users of the following Apple products:

Macintosh Portable: System 6.0.5 corrects two problems associated with the Macintosh Portable:

• A communications problem experienced when the Portable is connected to serial devices (symptom:  the Portable loses track of printers and modems after coming out of Sleep mode)
• A power-consumption problem encountered when the Portable is shut down while connected to AppleTalk networks (symptom:  the battery will discharge quickly when shut down under these conditions

Macintosh IIci:    System 6.0.5 addresses the following compatibility problems associated with the Macintosh IIci:

• Control-break characters received through the serial port will no   long cause a system crash.
• 32-Bit QuickDraw version 1.2 (see below)
• Zero-width characters now work properly (zero-width characters are used both music programs and with accented characters)

32-Bit QuickDraw:  In addition to the overall increase in performance, 32-Bit QuickDraw version 1.2 offers the following:

• Additional dithering capabilities
• Support for variable-resolution PICT images
• Font information is stored in PICT images

Additional technical information is available in a document called "Technical Information on 6.0.5" included on the System 6.0.5 Printing Tools disk.

Contact:

Cindy McCaffrey
Apple Computer, Inc.
(408) 974-1578

-30-

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, AppleLink and AppleTalk are registered trademarks; QuickDraw is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

END

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