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From: rick@ut-ngp.UTEXAS (Rick Watson)
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: Apple press release
Message-ID: <2396@ut-ngp.UTEXAS>
Date: Tue, 17-Sep-85 23:17:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.2396
Posted: Tue Sep 17 23:17:14 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Sep-85 05:45:22 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: UTexas Computation Center, Austin, Texas
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[]

From AppleLink News:

Cupertino, California.  September 17, 1985.  Apple Computer,
Inc. is enhancing its Macintosh personal computer with
peripherals and software tools that increase its storage
capacity, speed and convenience.
 
The new products, all designed for business use, include:
 
--  the Hard Disk 20, a 20-megabyte hard disk for Macintosh
    512K users;
 
--  Switcher, a software utility that allows users to work
    with several programs at once;
 
--  the ImageWriter II, a versatile dot matrix printer
    with improved speed and print quality; and
 
--  the Apple Personal Modem, a Hayes-compatible,
    300/1200-baud modem.
 
The Hard Disk 20 and Switcher answer the demand in the
business market for a more powerful Macintosh system.  With
on-line access to up to 20 megabytes of applications and data
files, the Macintosh can function two to three times faster
than a system working only with floppy disks.  Switcher
further increases productivity by providing a fast, simple
method for transferring data or switching among applications.
 
The new ImageWriter II printer, which succeeds the best-
selling ImageWriter, provides improved text and graphics print
quality, up to twice the speed of the earlier model, and simplified
paper handling.  It has an open design that accommodates
expansion modules.  When used with the Apple II product line,
the ImageWriter II also can provide multi-color printing.
 
For a suggested retail price of $399, the new, compact modem
offers a wide range of communications features at an affordable
price.  It plugs directly into a wall outlet or power strip rather
than taking up valuable desktop space.
 
"Each of these products increases Macintosh performance for
the people who need it most--business professionals who seek
maximum productivity from a personal computer," said
Delbert W. Yocam, Apple's executive vice president of product
operations.  "These products reflect Apple's ongoing efforts to
continually broaden the solutions we offer to business customers."
 
Hard Disk 20 Boosts Productivity
 
Adding the Hard Disk 20 to a Macintosh 512K system creates a
powerful configuration designed for business professionals who
manage large amounts of information.  The Hard Disk 20 stores as
much information as 50 Macintosh floppy disks and operates more
than twice as fast as a floppy drive.  The user saves additional time
because files are accessible without swapping floppy disks.
 
The disk comes with a hierarchical filing system that manages
thousands of files without complex partitioning schemes.  Instead,
the software uses the Macintosh computer's familiar file folder
icons for grouping together related files.
 
Most major software programs can be loaded directly onto the
Hard Disk 20 for faster and more convenient access.  In addition,
the disk allows the user to store more fonts, printer drivers and
a much larger scrapbook, which is the Macintosh desk accessory
that stores frequently used text and graphic elements.
 
The Hard Disk 20 is an external, 3 1/2-inch Winchester disk
drive that connects to the disk drive port on the back of the
Macintosh.  Only three inches high, the unit has the same width
and depth as the Macintosh and is designed to fit under the
computer.  An expansion port on the back of the hard disk allows
a second Hard Disk 20, a back-up tape device or an external
floppy disk drive to be connected to the system.
 
Hard Disk 20 units for demonstration will begin shipping
to authorized Apple dealers in November with quantity shipments
expected in early 1986.  The U.S. suggested retail price of $1,499
includes the disk drive with attached cable for connecting it to
the Macintosh, the Startup Disk containing the system software
and hierarchical filing system, and an owner's manual.
 
Switcher Utility Improves Macintosh Software Integration
 
Switcher also helps users obtain greater efficiency from their
Macintosh 512K and Macintosh XL computers.  It allows users to
create their own integrated applications by combining in memory
up to eight programs of their choice, depending on the memory
requirements and other characteristics of the programs involved.
Once a combination is put together, users can instantly switch
among these applications.  For example, the user can temporarily
leave a MacProject document to send a message with MacTerminal;
or copy a graphic from a MacDraw file to a MacWrite document--
all without going through the steps of quitting one application
and loading another.
 
Switcher can remember specific sets of applications
previously used together so they can be reloaded in a single
step with the click of a mouse.  The program creates an icon for
each set of applications as if it was a single, distinct, integrated
program.
 
"Switcher is a tremendous time-saver for the business
professional who uses certain applications all the time," said
Yocam.  "It also has enormous benefits for the software
development community because now they can offer integrated
application sets by testing their programs with Switcher and
then including Switcher with their individual applications."
 
Software developers can license Switcher from Apple for
$250 per year per application.  Many developers have been
working with the program since it became available in an
advance version earlier this year.  For example, Microsoft has
included with its new spreadsheet, Excel, a Switcher document
that links Excel with Microsoft Word.  Users who own both
applications can, in effect, combine them for extra speed
and convenience.
 
According to Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft Corporation,
"Microsoft's application program philosophy is to develop depth
products focused on primary tasks.  Apple's Switcher is an ideal
operating environment tool that allows users to enjoy the
benefits of integration without sacrificing depth or choice."
 
Switcher will be available to the public from authorized
Apple dealers by the end of October for a U.S. suggested retail
price of $19.95.  Called The Switcher Construction Kit, the
retail version of the product, which includes an instruction
manual, is designed for sophisticated Macintosh 512K and
Macintosh XL users who can thoroughly test the combinations
they create.
 
Early versions of Switcher were electronically circulated
to the public through CompuServe's Micro-Networked Apple
User Group (MAUG) to facilitate the testing of the potentially
infinite combinations of Macintosh applications.
 
New Printer for Macintosh Produces Near-Letter-Quality Text
 
Apple is enhancing the printer options available to
Macintosh users by introducing the ImageWriter II, a second
generation version of the ImageWriter.  Apple's ImageWriter
has been one of the most popular dot matrix printers on the
market with over one million units sold.
 
The new ImageWriter II offers both near-letter-quality
printing and high-quality graphics output, as well as design
innovations that allow the user to customize it for special
needs.
 
Print Quality:  The ImageWriter II offers three printing
modes, including one that is nearly indistinguishable from
traditional daisy wheel printing.  Standard and draft modes
provide extra speed.
 
Expansion Options:  The ImageWriter II contains an
expansion slot for accommodating a range of interface boards.
For example, Apple is developing the ImageWriter II
AppleTalk Option, which is a card for this slot that will
provide shared ImageWriter II printing on an AppleTalk
network of Macintosh computers.  Apple also is working
closely with third party hardware companies to develop
other add-ons for this slot that will further expand the printer's
capabilities.
 
Paper Handling:  The ImageWriter II uses continuous
form paper or loads individual sheets at the touch of a button
with the optional ImageWriter II SheetFeeder.  Designed to easily
snap on to the top of the printer, the feeder simplifies the
printing of office correspondence and form letters by
automatically loading up to 100 sheets of standard office
paper or letterhead to the printer.
 
Speed:  The printer can operate at a top speed of 250
characters per second, more than twice the rate of its
predecessor.
 
The ImageWriter II is compatible with all Apple computers
and with all software packages that worked with the earlier
model.  To take advantage of some of the printer's new features,
such as its increased speed and optional SheetFeeder, Apple and
many software developers are incorporating a modified ImageWriter
driver in their Macintosh programs.  This driver utility will be
available free of charge from authorized Apple dealers in October.
 
The ImageWriter II is available now from authorized Apple
dealers for a U.S. suggested retail price of $595, which includes
Apple's standard 90-day limited warranty.  The cable required for
connecting the printer to the computer has a suggested retail
price of $29.95 and the suggested retail price of the optional
ImageWriter II SheetFeeder is $225.  The black ribbons for the
ImageWriter II are the same as those used in the earlier model.
They sell in packages of six for a suggested retail price of $10.50.
 
International versions with appropriate electrical modifications
and documentation also are available.
 
Apple and the Apple logo are registered trademarks of Apple
Computer, Inc.
 
Macintosh is a trademark of McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. and is used
with express permission for its owners.
 
AppleTalk, ImageWriter, MacDraw, MacProject, MacTerminal,
MacWrite and Switcher are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.