Apple Macintosh System Software 7.0.1

COMDEX, Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 21, 1991 -- PR Newswire -- Macintosh System Software 7.0.1 is a hardware support release for Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) new Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140, and 170, the Macintosh Quadra 700 and 900, and the Macintosh Classic II personal computers. Significance:

In May, Apple introduced Macintosh System 7.0, the most significant enhancement to Macintosh since its introduction. System 7 has been widely accepted with over one million users worldwide currently using the new system software. The product quality and third-party application compatibility of System 7 has been very high.

System 7.0.1 supports the new Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140, and 170, the Macintosh Quadra 700 and 900, and the Macintosh Classic II personal computers, also announced today. This new release contains only software changes from System 7.0 necessary to support the new Macintosh CPUs and is not a recommended upgrade for the current installed base of Macintosh users.

The changes made in System 7.0.1 to support the new Macintosh CPUs include updates to the virtual memory feature and Standard Apple Numeric Environment (SANE) for the Quadra 700 and 900. In addition, new control panel versions have been added to support the new computers.

System 7.0.1 runs on a Macintosh computer with at least two megabytes (MB) of random-access-memory (RAM) and a hard disk. In the minimum configuration, users can run one application at a time with no system extensions. Users who want to use multiple applications at once or use several system software extensions should either use the Virtual Memory feature (available on the PowerBook 140, 170 and Classic II) or add additional memory to their computers. Users with a Macintosh computer with a 68030 or 68040 microprocessor can use the Virtual Memory feature. Macintosh computers running 7.0.1 can transparently co-exist in networked environments with Macintosh System Software versions 7.0 and System 6 using the updated System 7 printing software. Availability:

System 7.0.1 is available immediately in the United States. Availability elsewhere will vary on a country by country basis. For customers' convenience and consistency, all newly manufactured Apple Macintosh computers in the U.S. will include this version of system software starting in the next few weeks. In addition, Apple will include System 7.0.1 with the System 7 Group Upgrade Kit to continue to provide network administrators with all releases of system software.

System 7.0.1 does not offer any significant advantages or changes from System 7.0, so the System 7 Personal Upgrade Kit will not be updated. Customers upgrading to System 7 can do so by purchasing the Personal Upgrade Kit containing System 7.0. System 7.0.1 has already been distributed to subscribers to the Macintosh System Software Update Program. Distribution:

System 7.0.1 is also available through all authorized Apple resellers, user groups, AppleLink and other electronic bulletin boards. The software and manuals for the System 7 Group Upgrade Kit, including version 7.0.1 on the CD ROM, are available for a suggested U.S. retail price of $349. The System 7 Personal Upgrade Kit is available for the suggested U.S. retail price of $99.

Contact: Patty Tulloch, 408-974-5449; or Brooke Cohan, 408-974-3019, both of Apple Computer. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh and AppleLink are registered trademarks; and System 7.0, PowerBook and Macintosh Quadra are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Classic is a registered trademark used under license by Apple Computer Inc. /PRNewswire -- Oct. 21/ 08:22 EDT