Whoa! Apple announces the iMac

In a refreshing blast from the past, Apple Computer on Wednesday announcedthe iMac, an "Internet-age computer for the rest of us” that resembles a21st century rendition of the classic all-in-one Mac design.

The iMac, which will retail for only $1300, includes a 233MHz PowerPC G3processor, 512K L2 cache, 32MB of SDRAM (expandable to 128MB), a 4GB IDEhard disk drive, Mac OS 8.1, two 12Mbps Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports(a first on the Mac), an IrDA port, a keyboard and a mouse. It alsofeatures a 24X CD-ROM drive, a built-in 15-inch monitor, built-in10/100BASE-T Ethernet support, a 33Kbps modem, and built-in stereo speakerswith SRS sound. The system will be completely compatible with existingMacintosh systems.

The iMac is just one part of Apple's new product strategy, which was alsoannounced on Wednesday by interim CEO Steve Jobs. Apple also announced anew line of G3 PowerBooks.

"These new product lines give people what they want most, a lightning fastlaptop and a striking new consumer Macintosh," said Steve Jobs, Apple'sInterim CEO. "Apple leads when it expresses its vision through itsproducts, exciting you and making you proud to own a Mac. Our design savvyand manufacturing efficiency will put a new generation of Macintoshes onthe desktop and on the road. The same focus and passion that brings theseproducts to market has also made us a healthier company."

Apple plans on releasing the iMac in August.

For more information, please visit the iMac page at the Apple Web site