Apple Unveils All-New Family of iMacs Featuring Desktop Video

Mac OS 9 In-Store on October 23

Cupertino, California—Oct. 5, 1999—During a special event today, Apple’s iCEO Steve Jobs introduced Mac® OS 9, a major new release of the Macintosh® operating system, and an all-new family of iMac™ computers. The new family of iMacs includes iMac, iMac DV (“Digital Video”) and iMac DV Special Edition, which comes in a stunning Graphite-colored enclosure.

The new models are completely redesigned to be faster, sleeker, quieter and more affordable, starting at a suggested retail price of U.S. $999. The two new iMac DV models include FireWire® ports and Apple’s groundbreaking new iMovie software, making it incredibly easy to create pro-quality home and classroom movies. iMovie uses iMac’s built-in FireWire port to digitally transfer video from digital camcorders into iMac. iMovie then lets users easily re-arrange clips, add special effects like cross-dissolves and scrolling titles, as well as music soundtracks and even sound effects. Movies can be saved on iMac’s hard drive, sent back to the camcorder to make copies on digital or VHS videotape, or even emailed to friends and family over the Internet.

All three new iMac models feature: Pentium-toasting PowerPC G3 processors; a Rage 128 VR 2D/3D high-end graphics accelerator chip for stunningly realistic gaming; a new audio system designed in collaboration with Harman Kardon that delivers breakthrough sound; new “slot-load” CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives, and fan-less operation that reduces noise to half that of competitive products. The two iMac DV models feature a slot-load DVD-ROM drive, dual 400 megabit per second FireWire ports to connect to digital camcorders and Apple’s new iMovie software.

Mac OS 9, a major new release of the Macintosh operating system featuring 9 Internet power tools, will be available in U.S. dealers on October 23 for a suggested retail price of U.S. $99. Mac OS 9 features the debut of Sherlock 2, now the ultimate search engine for news and people on the web plus the perfect personal shopper on the Internet. Mac OS 9 lets users find products, compare prices, pinpoint availability and even participate in auctions.

Leading the more than 50 new features in Mac OS 9 are 9 Internet power tools: Sherlock 2; the Multiple Users feature, which lets numerous users share the same Macintosh while protecting private files and maintaining Internet settings; Voiceprint Password, which lets users log onto their Mac simply by speaking a pass phrase; Keychain, which manages each user’s multiple IDs and passwords; Auto Updating, which automatically updates software over the Internet; Encryption, which uses industrial-strength cryptography to password- protect files stored on a computer or sent across the Internet; File Sharing, which turns Macs into Internet file servers so users can share files or folders as easily as dragging and dropping; Internet AppleScript®, which lets customers automate tasks from the most simple to the most complex; and Network Browser, which makes finding file servers, FTP servers and web servers as easy as selecting a local printer.

Demonstrating continued enthusiasm for the platform, Apple today highlighted the fact that third-party developers have announced more than 275 Universal Serial Bus (USB) peripherals since the original iMac was introduced more than a year ago. In addition, more than 80 FireWire products have been announced since January. The new hardware and software products announced to date bring the total number of products shipping on the Mac platform to more than 15,000. A complete list of products is available in the Macintosh Products Guide at www.apple.com/guide.

Apple Computer, Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission—to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.

Press Contacts:
Nathalie Welch
(408) 974-5430
welch@apple.com

Matt Hutchison
(408) 974-6877
hutchison@apple.com

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Apple, the Apple logo, AppleScript, FireWire Mac and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. iMac is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.