Apple Releases Mac OS X Public Beta

Preview of Apple's Next-Generation Operating System

Apple Expo Paris—September 13, 2000—Apple® today released Mac® OS X Public Beta, a preview version of Apple’s next-generation operating system. Users can purchase Mac OS X Public Beta on Apple’s Online Store (www.apple.com) for $29.95. Mac OS X features state-of-the-art technology throughout, including advanced Internet and graphics technologies, a new user interface named “Aqua™,” and an open-source UNIX-based foundation named Darwin.

“Mac OS X is the future of the Macintosh, and the most technically advanced personal computer operating system ever,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re excited to have our users test drive this public beta version and provide us with their valuable feedback.”

The Mac OS X Public Beta is available in English, French and German from The Apple Store™ for $29.95. Apple has created a Mac OS X tab on its web site at www.apple.com which contains in-depth information on Mac OS X, including regular updates on third-party applications, tips and tricks and technical support information.

Mac OS X features true memory protection, pre-emptive multi-tasking, and symmetric multiprocessing when running on the new dual-processor Power Mac™ G4 line. Mac OS X includes Apple’s new Quartz™ 2D graphics engine (based on the Internet-standard Portable Document Format) for stunning graphics and broad font support; OpenGL for spectacular 3D graphics and gaming, and QuickTime™ for streaming audio and video. In addition, Mac OS X features Apple’s new user interface named “Aqua,” which combines superior ease-of-use with amazing new functionality such as the “Dock,” a breakthrough for organizing applications, documents and miniaturized windows. Mac OS X Public Beta includes many applications, including Apple’s new Mail client (IMAP and POP compatible) and new versions of the QuickTime player and Sherlock® Internet searching tool, as well as a beta version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, the most popular browser for the Mac®.

Availability
Mac OS X Public Beta is available immediately in English, French and German from The Apple Store (www.apple.com) for US$29.95. Mac OS X Public Beta is designed to run on all Macintosh computers using PowerPC G3 and G4 processor chips, and requires a minimum of 128MB of memory (the original PowerBook G3 and processor upgrade cards are not supported). Mac OS X version 1.0 will be released in early 2001.

Apple 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 committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.

Press Contacts:
Alicia Awbrey
Apple
(408) 974-0922
awbrey@apple.com

Nicole Scott
Edelman Worldwide
(650) 968-4033 ext. 2764
nicole.scott@edelman.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (www.apple.com/pr/), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Store, Aqua, Mac OS, Macintosh, Power Mac, Quartz, QuickTime and Sherlock are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners