Apple Computer Inc. on Tuesday announced a faster version of its popular iBook notebook personal computer and a less expensive model of its PowerMac desktop line, as the computer maker gears up for the holiday shopping season.
Cupertino, California-based Apple said its 12-inch and 14-inch iBooks can now be ordered with its PowerPC G4 processor running at up to 1.33 gigahertz, a measure of how fast a chip performs. It also cut prices across the line.
The new lower-end iBook model has a 1.2 gigahertz microprocessor, a combination drive that can play DVDs and burn compact discs, has a 12-inch screen and costs $999, which is $100 less than the previous low-end model.
Apple also added wireless networking, using the 802.11g standard, to its full line of iBook PCs, the company said. Depending on features and functions, the beefed-up iBook line ranges in cost from $999 to $1,499.
Apple, which makes the iPod digital music player, also added a less expensive, single-processor model of its Power Mac desktop personal computer. The 1.8 gigahertz Power Mac costs $1,499, Apple said.
The Power Mac, Apple’s high-end line, is aimed at graphics, video and music professionals. With the exception of the single-processor model just introduced, the Power Mac features dual PowerPC G5 processors.
Apple also, on Monday, e-mailed to reporters an invitation saying, “Steve Jobs, Bono and The Edge invite you to attend a special event” on Oct. 26. Bono and The Edge are lead singer and lead guitarist, respectively, for Irish rock group U2, who are featured in iPod television ads.
Speculation in recent weeks on Apple rumor Web sites has mounted that Apple is on the verge of introducing a larger capacity, 60-gigabyte iPod with a color screen and that will display photos, which analysts have said makes sense.