Apple Delivers Next Generation of Portable Performance with New PowerPC
Processor-based Macintosh PowerBook 5300

PowerBook 5300 Models Lead Industry in Price/Performance

CUPERTINO, California--August 28, 1995--Extending the PowerPC RISC
processor across its product line, Apple Computer, Inc. today announced
its new, high-performance, Apple Macintosh PowerBook 5300 models. Built on
100 and 117 MHz PowerPC 603 processors, the PowerBook 5300 family sets the
standard for price/performance and long battery life in a full-featured
notebook computer. Prices for PowerBook models start at around U.S.
$2,200, and customers should enjoy an estimated battery life of three-five
hours of actual working time, per charge.

The PowerBook 5300 notebooks give customers the performance they need to
run new applications that take advantage of the PowerPC processor, such as
complex graphics, page layout, and sophisticated presentation programs
that they couldn't run on a notebook before; an open design for the easy
addition of innovative peripherals; the world's easiest file sharing, via
built-in infrared communications, and most importantly, for mobile users,
long battery life. By combining the computing power of the PowerPC 603e
processor with Apple's traditional strengths in ease-of-use, design,
communications, and hardware/software integration, the new PowerBook 5300
models give mainstream business and higher-education customers the
industry's best mobile computing solution, regardless of their desktop
platform. The PowerBook 5300 models are expected to be available in stores
on September 11.

"The introduction of the PowerBook 5300 models demonstrates Apple's
commitment to leading the notebook computer industry in performance,
price, design, and innovation," said Steve Andler, Apple's senior director
of mobile systems product marketing. "The PowerBook 5300 models are
Apple's first notebook computers with 100 and 117 MHz PowerPC RISC
processors, which offer excellent performance in graphics, presentations,
technical, and compatibility applications--without sacrificing battery
life, as some competing Intel-based CISC systems do."

After looking at the PowerBook 5300 models, Andrew Seybold, publisher,
Andrew Seybold's Outlook, said, "Apple has really done its homework. The
new PowerBook 5300 family offers the best PC Card and infrared
communications implementations I've seen in the notebook market. The
battery life is amazing, and the prices are very aggressive, very
competitive."

PowerBook 5300 Family: The Highest-Performance PowerBook

The PowerBook 5300 models were designed to bring desktop-level, PowerPC
processor performance to mainstream business and higher education
customers in a light, compact package. Built around 100 and 117 MHz
PowerPC 603e RISC processors, the PowerBook 5300 models offer customers
performance that's comparable to a Power Macintosh 6100/60 desktop
computer, in a notebook form-factor that's a full inch smaller, and nearly
a pound lighter than Apple's previous top-of-the-line PowerBook models.
All PowerBook 5300 models come standard with a minimum of 8, 16, or 32MB
DRAM, expandable to 64MB; a 9.5-inch gray scale or a 10.4-inch
active-matrix or dual-scan color display, and a 500 MB, a 750MB, or a 1.1
GB internal hard drive. In addition, all PowerBook 5300 configurations
ship with advanced, lithium-ion batteries that provide an estimated
battery life of three to five hours of continuous working time per charge
on color models, and 3.5 to 5.5 hours, on the gray-scale configuration.

Infrared Technology for Ultra-easy Communications

Simplifying communications tasks was an important goal in the PowerBook
5300's design. Apple has made wireless networking ultra-easy by combining
infrared technology with the ease-of-use of AppleTalk. With the built-in
functionality of Apple IR File Exchange, the PowerBook 5300 can
automatically locate and wirelessly connect itself to compatible,
infrared-equipped computers. Apple IR File Exchange automatically sets-up
guest drop folders, so customers can share their files by simply dragging
and dropping to the guest folder. To prevent unauthorized file copying or
deleting, Apple IR File Exchange lets users copy files only to the guest
folder. However, if customers need full disk access, they can turn on
Personal File Sharing, and share files over their infrared connection just
as if they were on a wired network.

The Apple IR File Exchange transfer rate is full, LocalTalk speed
(230.4kbs). Apple's infrared hardware is compliant with the IrDA infrared
standard, and Apple is working on an IrDA-compliant software
implementation for the future. To make connecting to networks easy, Apple
has teamed with Farallon Computing, Inc. to create a desktop, infrared
receiver, the Farallon AirDock, that makes any desktop Macintosh computer
a wireless network station. By using the AirDock, PowerBook 5300 customers
can have full access to all of their network devices, including printers,
servers, and internet access, exactly as if they were on a wired
network--all without plugging in a single cable.

A New, Open PowerBook Architecture

The introduction of the PowerBook 5300 series marks a new direction for
Apple's notebook computers. With this introduction, Apple has opened the
PowerBook architecture, giving customers the flexibility to add a wide
range of affordable communication and expansion options through PC Card
slots and an expansion bay.

PC Card Slots Provide Flexible Communication Options

With two, built-in Type II-size (one Type III) PC Card slots, the PowerBook
5300 line lets customers customize their PowerBook computers to their
specific communications needs, using the vast array of industry-standard
modems, hard drives, network interface cards, and other PC Cards. Because
Apple's PC Card slots are fully compliant with version 2.1 PC Card and
Socket Services, customers can expect that any PC Card that is 2.1
compliant, and includes a Macintosh driver, will work with the PowerBook
5300 models right out of the package. To help make buying compatible PC
Cards easier, Apple includes modem, storage, and SRAM drivers on the hard
drive, so customers can immediately buy existing PC Cards that are Card
and Socket Service 2.1 compliant.

PowerBook Expansion Bay Enables Extensive Customization

PowerBook 5300 family customers can also expand their PowerBooks'
capabilities through the expansion bay. The PowerBook 5300 models'
removable floppy drive can be replaced by a wide variety of optional,
third-party devices. The expansion bay uses a standard "IDE" connector for
the addition of hard drives and magneto-optical, removable media drives.
Internal power lines enable the addition of AC power supplies, and other
devices. Products such as these are expected to be available from a number
of independent hardware vendors. Customers who want the lightest
configuration possible, can remove the floppy drive and replace it with
the included PC Card Storage Tray, a plastic tray that holds four Type II
or two Type III PC Cards. With the tray installed, customers save 0.4
pounds, dropping the overall weight to 5.5-5.8 pounds.

Pre-installed Software Offers Greater Value

To provide a complete, mobile computing solution, all PowerBook 5300 models
ship with a variety of utility, communications, compatibility, and games
programs pre-installed on the hard drive. For file compatibility with a
wide variety of PC formats, Apple includes DataViz translators, which
integrate seamlessly with Apple's Macintosh Easy Open, for automatic file
translation. In addition to infrared software, Apple's communications
software includes: Apple Remote Access, for accessing a computer from a
remote location, and Apple File Assistant, file-synchronization software,
for managing versions of a file on a desktop and portable computer. Apple
also supplies two new utilities: Floppy Disk Maker, which lets customers
create a set of system software installation disks quickly and easily, and
Password Security, which helps customers protect their systems from
unauthorized access. And for entertainment, Apple includes Eric's
Solitaire Sample, plus two games licensed from Callisto Corporation: Spin
Doctor, an arcade game, and Super Maze Wars, a network-aware battle game
that can also be played over an infrared network.

Most-Valued Configurations are Expected to be Priced in the Following
Ranges

   Model   Configuration                      Price Range

   5300    Gray scale  8/500 MB             U.S. $2,199-$2,299
   5300cs  Dual-scan color 8/500 MB         U.S. $2,799-$2,899
   5300cs  Dual-scan color 16/750 MB        U.S. $3,499-$3,699
   5300c   Active-matrix color 8/500 MB     U.S. $3,699-$3,899
   5300c   Active-matrix color 16/750 MB    U.S. $4,499-$4,699
   5300ce  Active-matrix color 32MB/1.1GB   U.S. $6,499-$6,799

All configurations of the PowerBook 5300 family are expected to be
available worldwide for purchase on September 11, 1995. Actual street
prices and availability may vary worldwide.

Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the information
industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy-to-use personal
computers, servers, peripherals, software, online services, and personal
digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple
(NASDAQ:AAPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products,
technologies and services for the business, education, consumer,
scientific & engineering and government markets in over 140 countries.

Customer Information Contact: If you are considering the purchase of an
Apple product and would like to have product information faxed to you,
please call 1-800-462-4396 in the U.S. or (415) 598-4329 in Canada. If you
do not have a fax machine or would like to locate an Apple authorized
reseller near you, please call 1-800-538-9696. Customers outside the U.S.
should contact their local Apple representatives for information.

Apple's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/ Apple's
world wide mobility solutions group home page:
http://www.info.apple.com/gomobile/

Apple Computer Inc
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010
 
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