Apple Unveils New Generation G4 iBooks Starting at Just £849 (inc VAT)

Apple today unveiled its new iBooks featuring PowerPC G4 processors, with the 12-inch display model starting at just £849 (inc VAT) and the 14-inch display model starting at just £999 (inc VAT). The new iBook line offers advanced connectivity with AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth, and all models include 256MB of Double Data Rate (DDR) memory and slot-loading Combo drives for burning CDs and watching DVDs. The new iBooks also include Apple's latest operating system, Mac OS X version 10.3 “Panther” included, with over 150 breakthrough new features, including FileVault to secure data for iBook users on the go.

“2003 is the ‘year of the notebook' and Apple has the industry's best notebook line-up, which has resulted in Apple's mix of notebooks growing to double the industry average”, said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The new iBooks bring powerful G4 processors and slot-loading Combo drives into the most affordably priced G4 notebooks ever, just in time for the holiday season”.

The new 12- and 14-inch iBooks have been completely re-engineered based onthe high performance PowerPC G4 processor and DDR memory architectureproviding improved speed, efficiency and overall system performance. EachiBook provides incredible graphics performance with ATI Mobility Radeon 9200graphics with 32MB of dedicated DDR memory and AGP 4X for gaming andwatching DVD movies at the highest quality. Outfitted with its hallmarkdurable, sleek polycarbonate plastic enclosure and weighing as little as 4.9pounds (2.2 kg), iBook notebooks are the ideal mixture of form and function designed with consumers and education customers in mind. The new iBook G4 provides up to six hours of battery life for all-day mobile use in the classroom or on the road.

Each iBook now features the latest in wireless connectivity with support forAirPort Extreme that is Wi-Fi Certified and based on the ultrafast 802.11gstandard, offering data rates five times faster than 802.11b whilemaintaining compatibility with millions of 802.11b products*. Optionsinclude an internal Bluetooth module for wirelessly connecting peripheralssuch as Apple's new Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mouse, as well as a fullcomplement of I/O ports, including FireWire 400, USB 2.0 and a built-in 56Kv.92 modem and Ethernet (10/100BASE-T) that enable connectivity to all oftoday's popular peripherals.

Every iBook comes with Panther in the box. Panther delivers more than 150breakthrough new features including a completely new Finder that providesone-click access to a user's favourite files and folders; Exposé, arevolutionary new way to instantly see all open windows at once; and iChatAV, a complete desktop video conferencing solution. Panther enhances themobile experience with automatic networking that intelligently detects andswitches the network connections between Ethernet, 802.11 and modem foreasily connecting to the Internet. Panther also features Fast User Switchingto elegantly switch between active users without having to quit applicationsor log out; FileVault, which uses the latest security standards and 128-bitencryption technology to ensure that data in the home directory is keptsecure and private at all times; and enhanced Windows compatibility thatensures files, printers and network services can easily be shared withWindows users.

Perfect for todays digital lifestyle, every new iBook also includes iLife,Apple's integrated suite of award-winning digital lifestyle applicationsthat features the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD and iTunes.iLife is the only integrated suite to include all of the four applicationsrequired for today's “digital lifestyle” — digital music, photography, moviemaking and DVD creation — and is the first product to offer the benefits of seamlessly integrating them.

Pricing & Availability:

The new iBook with a 12-inch display is available immediately and the newiBook models with a 14-inch display are expected to be available next weekthrough the Apple Store and Apple AuthorisedResellers in three standard configurations.

The 800MHz PowerPC G4 iBook, weighing just 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg), has a suggestedselling price of £849 (inc VAT) and includes:

The 933MHz PowerPC G4 iBook, weighing just 5.9 pounds (2.7 kg), has a suggestedselling price of £999 (inc VAT) and includes:

The 1.0GHz PowerPC G4 iBook, weighing just 5.9 pounds (2.7 kg), has a suggestedselling price of £1,199 (inc VAT) and includes:

Additional build-to-order options for the new iBook line include the abilityto upgrade to up to 640MB of DDR SDRAM, a 40GB or 60GB Ultra ATA/100 harddrive 4200-rpm performance, internal Bluetooth module, AirPort Extreme BaseStation, AirPort Extreme Card and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

* Actual speed will vary based on range from the base station, environmental conditions and other factors.

Press Contacts:
Apple UK and Ireland Public Relations
Email: media.uk@apple.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 8218 1440