Mountain View Computer Users Group

Starting in late spring with souped up eMacs, but continuing with announcements of white-hot new versions of computers throughout the summer, Apple revised practically its entire line, including new, larger-capacity iPods.

In May Apple boosted performance, but held the line on price, with new models of the eMac. Least expensive was the $799 version providing an 800MHz G4 processor with a CD-ROM drive and 40GB of storage. The $999 model has a 1GHz G4 processor, a combo drive, and 60GB of storage. The high end costs $1,299, and adds a SuperDrive along with 80GB of storage. All still have the 17" CRT screen.

At the June Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple CEO Steve Jobs made the most dramatic announcement of the season. The professional-level Power Mac would now offer an entirely new central processor, the G5, developed jointly with IBM. Jobs said, "The Power Mac G5 is the most powerful personal computer and the first with a 64-bit processor."

Starting at $1999 with a 1.6GHz processor, the new models also include one at $2399 with 1.8GHz processor and at $2999 with dual 2GHz processors. All of them now include the SuperDrive and have been improved in a variety of ways. Jobs said the G5s would be revved up to 3GHz within a year. While announced in June, the new G5s did not begin shipping until August. Especially the dual 2GHz model remains in short supply.

In quick succession during September, Apple introduced new iPods, iMacs, and PowerBooks.

The upper end of the iPod jukebox-in-your-pocket models were boosted from 15GB to 20GB (now, 5,000 songs) and from 30GB to 40GB (10,000 songs), but still priced at $399 and $499. The $299 model stayed the same at 10GB (2,500 songs).

The Apple Music Store announced that 10 million songs have been sold and downloaded.

The 15" LCD iMac with Combo Drive continues to be priced at $1,299, but now has a 1GHz PowerPC G4 and other enhancements. The 17" model with a SuperDrive still has the old price of $1,799, but now sports a 1.25GHz G4 processor, as well as additional improvements.

The long-rumored revision of the 15-inch PowerBooks also was announced. These notebook computers had been bracketed by new 12" and 17" versions, but now they joined their siblings in a sleek aluminum design, along with other improvements. The larger and smaller PowerBooks were upgraded at the same time.

In addition to all of these new computers and iPods, Apple decided to help reduce the cable tangle on your desktop. They brought out wireless versions of the keyboard and the mouse. The only catch is that you need to have a computer equipped with an internal Bluetooth module or external USB Bluetooth adapter, which receive the wireless signals from your new input devices.

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