Macintosh System 7.5 Now Available

Cupertino, California--September 19, 1994--Apple Computer, Inc. today announced that its new operating system, Macintosh  System 7.5, is now available throughout the United States through software resellers and Apple authorized resellers.  Macintosh System 7.5 makes using an Apple  Macintosh computer even easier by providing new capabilities that streamline how people work on a computer, individually and with others.  It also makes it easier to work with MS-DOS and Windows disks and files.

"We believe that Macintosh System 7.5 further advances Apple's leadership position in operating systems by enhancing our competitive position in our traditional markets, while at the same time attracting MS-DOS and Windows users to the macintosh platform" said John Mracek, director of OS platform marketing in the company's AppleSoft division.

Apple also announced today that as part of its strategy to increase worldwide market share for the Macintosh computing platform, the company is rolling out a new visual identity for the Macintosh operating system--now called the Mac  OS.  Macintosh System 7.5 will continue to be called Macintosh System 7.5, while a future version of the operating system will be referred to as the Mac OS.

Availability, Pricing and Upgrades

Macintosh System 7.5 is now available throughout the United States and France; it is expected to be available in other international markets in the coming months.  In the United States, pricing for Macintosh System 7.5 is as follows:

Macintosh System 7.5    Suggested Retail Price       Format
Single User                   U.S. $134.99          CD-ROM or floppy disks
10 Users                      U.S. $817.00          CD-ROM and floppy disks
30 Users                      U.S. $2,450.00       CD-ROM and floppy disks
100 Users                    U.S. $7,772.00       CD-ROM and floppy disks

Macintosh System 7.5 Upgrade Pricing

A customer who has purchased the System 7.1 Personal Upgrade Kit between June 2, 1994 and October 2, 1994, can purchase a single-user Macintosh System 7.5 upgrade kit for the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of U.S. $39.99.  A customer who has purchased a System 7.1 Multiuser Kit can purchase the 10-user pack for the SRP of U.S. $399.99.  All kits are assessed tax and a per-copy shipping and handling fee, which depends on the method of delivery.  The upgrade is available in either the CD-ROM or floppy-disk format.

A customer who has purchased the System 7.1 Update Kit or the System 7.1 Update Kit with Apple Font Pack between June 2, 1994 and ] October 2, 1994 can purchase a single user Macintosh System 7.5 upgrade kit for the SRP of U.S. $39.99, plus tax and a per-copy shipping and handling fee, which depends on the method of delivery.  The upgrade is available in either the CD-ROM or floppy disk format.

A customer who has purchased the System 7 Pro Personal Upgrade Kit between June 2, 1994 and October 2, 1994 can purchase the single user Macintosh System 7.5 upgrade kit  for the SRP of U.S. $19.99.  A customer who has purchased the System 7 Pro Multiuser Kit can receive the 10 user pack for just the shipping and handling fee.  The upgrade is available in either the CD-ROM or floppy disk format.

All upgrade requests must be submitted with an order form and proof of purchase that is a dated, itemized sales invoice showing the purchase of a qualifying product between June 2, 1994 and October 2, 1994.  The completed order forms, payment and proof of purchase must be received by January 15, 1995.  For more information about the upgrade program, or to obtain an order form, customers can call 1- 800-769-2775, extension 5919.

Macintosh System 7.5 is available in the United States through the Apple Software Volume License Program, a cost-effective way for customers in the United States to acquire software licenses, support and maintenance in volume for selected Apple products.  Volume pricing discounts increase with the number of covered computers, ranging from under U.S. $15.00 to $45.00 per copy.  Under the program, United States customers may also acquire volume licenses for their locations outside the United States.  This volume licensing is available through authorized Apple resellers, including direct software resellers, Apple dealers and Apple Value Added Resellers (VARs).  Education and local-government customers will be able to purchase volume licenses for Macintosh System 7.5 directly from Apple.  Volume licensing programs are also available in other countries.

Strong Developer Support

More than 200 software applications are slated to take advantage of the special new features of the operating system, and more are expected to be announced throughout the rest of the year.  The strong developer support follows the largest distribution of beta software in Apple's history; approximately 20,000 developers received early versions of Macintosh System 7.5 so they could start updating applications to take advantage of the new operating system's capabilities.

Macintosh System 7.5 Features

Macintosh System 7.5 integrates technologies that make computing easier for people by simplifying difficult or routine computing tasks.  For example, Apple Guide is a built-in, interactive guide that leaps beyond traditional help systems by guiding the user from query through the completion of a task.  QuickDraw  GX gives customers new printing options by enabling users to create portable "print and view" documents from any application.  A new Scriptable Finder , based on the AppleScript  technology, lets users easily automate system tasks with scripts.  Apple's  award winning multimedia software QuickTime  2.0 is also included with Macintosh System 7.5. QuickTime makes it possible--without the addition of any hardware--for Macintosh users to watch a full-screen movie that closely resembles what viewers see on television today.  Other features include:  an enhanced Finder; Macintosh PC Exchange  and Macintosh Easy Open; PowerTalk ; Special PowerBook  utilities and MacTCP.

MODE32 Support from Connectix

MODE32 is a system extension that enables Macintosh II, IIx, IIcx and SE/30 systems to use standard System 7  32-bit addressing.  With MODE32, a Macintosh II, IIcx, or SE/30 system can support greater than 8 megabytes of RAM.  Apple has licensed MODE32 7.5 from Connectix for unlimited, free distribution to customers in the United States.  As with prior versions of the product, users may freely download copies from the Connectix AppleLink, America Online, or CompuServe BBS forums.  In addition, users may copy and distribute System 7 compatible versions of MODE32 to others.  Customers can also get MODE32 from many Apple dealers, user groups or by contacting Apple at 1-800-767-2775.

System Requirements

Macintosh System 7.5 is compatible with virtually all Macintosh applications software currently available and will run on Motorola 680x0-based Macintosh and PowerBook computers, as well as Power Macintosh  computers--with a hard disk and appropriate memory.  (To run QuickDraw GX and QuickTime 2.0, the Macintosh and PowerBook computers must have at least a 68020 processor.)

Macintosh Computer         RAM Requirements
680x0-based                    Minimum of 4MB for all elements except
                                        PowerTalk and QuickDraw GX
                                        8 MB to run PowerTalk & QuickDraw GX
 
Power Macintosh            Minimum of 8MB for all elements except
                                      PowerTalk and QuickDraw GX
                                      16MB to run PowerTalk and QuickDraw GX

Some of the third-party software products available on the CD-ROM have additional system requirements for use.  Information about these requirements is provided with the product.

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 (NASDAQ: APPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products, technologies and services for the business, education, consumer, scientific & engineering and government markets in over 140 countries.

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, MacTCP and PowerBook are registered trademarks and AppleSoft, Mac, Macintosh Easy Open, Power Macintosh, PowerTalk, QuickDraw, QuickTime and the System 7 logo  are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.  Additional company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

In separate announcements today, Apple unveiled its new identity for the Macintosh Operating System and outlined its strategy to license the Mac OS. If you are interested in receiving Apple press releases by fax, call 1-800-AAPL-FAX (1-800-227-5329) and enter I.D. number 6172.)