Apple Ships System 7.1 

With the Incorporation of WorldScript, the Macintosh is Now World Ready

CUPERTINO, California--October 19, 1992--Apple Computer, Inc. today
announced it is shipping Version 7.1 of the widely acclaimed System 7
operating system for the Apples Macintosh personal computer. System 7.1
incorporates Apple's WorldScript technology, which enables Apple to offer
System 7 for the first time to customers in Japan, China, and other Asian
countries with "double-byte" languages, whose large character sets require
two bytes of the computer's memory to address each character.

Because WorldScript provides the Macintosh system software with inherent
support for virtually every written language, Apple is now able to quickly
localize the Macintosh computer for nonRoman languages, affording nearly
simultaneous delivery of computer products throughout most parts of the
world. Previously, Apple, like other personal computer companies, has had
to reengineer the system software to support these languages, causing a
time-lag between introduction of a new Macintosh computer in the Americas
or Western Europe, and that same computer in Asia, Africa or Eastern
Europe. With the release of System 7.1, Apple can ship Macintosh computers
with the same system-software architecture anywhere in the world, after
making what are now routine software changes for language-specific
support.

"The emergence of the Macintosh computer as the only world-ready personal
computer system parallels Apple's emergence as a truly global company with
customers throughout the world," said Roger Heinen, senior vice president
and general manager of Apple's Macintosh software architecture division.
"We must strive to provide equal consideration to many markets worldwide.

"At the same time, many of our customers are themselves part of global
organization, multinational businesses, government and private agencies,
universities--and require Macintosh computers in many different languages,
all running the same version of system software. We're delighted that we
can meet these customers' needs."

The new ease-of-localization for the Macintosh computer will also provide
software developers with greater access to a worldwide market. One
software architecture for all languages reduces the cost and development
time for developing applications for a wider range of languages. Apple
expects this to result in the availability of higher quality applications
in many new markets, as developers are able to steer resources away from
time-consuming localization and toward enhancement of the applications'
features.

Other Advancements in System 7.1 

New Fonts Folder--With System 7.1, Apple provides seamless type
integration, making it even easier for customers to work with multiple
fonts on the Macintosh computer. The new version has a Fonts folder that
contains all of a user's fonts, regardless of font format. With one
location for all bitmap, TrueType and Adobe Type 1 fonts, users can
quickly install or remove any font. Previously, bitmap and TrueType fonts
have been stored in the System file, and Type 1 fonts have been stored
separately, after being installed with Adobe Type Manager software.

Modular Support for New Macintosh Computers--System 7.1 incorporates a new
method for supporting new models of Macintosh computers. Until now, Apple
has modified the system software each time it has released a new Macintosh
model. Beginning with System 7.1, Apple will ship each new computer system
with a drop-in software module that enables the currently shipping version
of the operating system to automatically support that new Macintosh
computer. Thus, customers and developers will no longer have to worry
about testing and upgrading to a new version of the operating system every
time Apple introduces a new Macintosh computer. These software modules,
called "system enablers," will be subsequently rolled into the core
operating system with the next major release.

TuneUp Integration--Apple has integrated the System 7 TuneUp software
(previously installed separately) into System 7.1, simplifying systems
administration and providing greater overall system stability. The TuneUp
software also improves memory management, especially in low-memory
conditions. Non-networked Macintosh systems save approximately 100K - 200K
of RAM.

QuickTime 1.5 Bundle--QuickTime 1.5, also introduced today, is bundled with
System 7.1 upgrade products. This latest version of QuickTime, Apple's
system-software extension that manages sound, video and animation,
features several enhancements, including a larger screen size for video
playback; complete support for full-screen, full-motion digital video
cards; fully integrated support for Kodak Photo CD; improved CD-ROM and
network data handling; 1-bit fast dithering for playback on Macintosh
PowerBook and other monochrome screens; generic media handlers that let
developers create new movie-track types; and closed captioning.

Enabling Multi-Language Computing--The WorldScript technology in System 7.1
provides built-in potential for multi-language computing on the Macintosh
computer. As a result, software modules can be created so that a user can
work in many different languages on the same computer to create
multi-language documents. Apple has tested the technology with some
customers, and plans to offer language modules in the future.

File Sharing--In response to customer requests, the File Sharing security
feature has been made more secure, by removing "guest access" by default.

Database Access--Apple's Database Access Language (DAL) driver software has
been unbundled from System 7.1, freeing up system memory, and simplifying
system set-up for customers who do not require database access on servers.
The DAL software will be offered in a software solution kit for end users
and inhouse developers, and it will contain several network protocol
adapters, a tester application, and an installation and user's guide.

Compatibility 

System 7.1 is compatible with virtually all applications that run on System
7. AppleShare customers using System 7.1 should upgrade to AppleShare
3.0.1. MacTCP customers using System 7.1 should upgrade to MacTCP 1.1.1.

Pricing and Product Configurations System 7.1 is shipping with all new
Macintosh computers introduced today--Macintosh IIvi and IIvx, Macintosh
Duo System, Macintosh PowerBook 160 and 180. Over the next few weeks, it
will begin shipping on all existing Macintosh models.

System 7.1 will also be available in the following software-only
configurations, all of which include one year of toll-free telephone
upgrade support from Apple:

System 7.1 Update Kit--This single-user package provides the software
necessary for current System 7 users to upgrade to System 7.1. It includes
1.4 MB (or 800K) system disks, a QuickTime 1.5 disk, and the System 7.1
Update Guide.

In the United States, the System 7.1 Update Kit is available directly from
Apple by calling 800-7692775. It is priced at U.S. $34.95. Outside the
United States, availability and pricing vary by country.

System 7 Personal Upgrade Kit--This single-user package provides the
software necessary for an installed-base customer to upgrade from Version
6.0x of Macintosh system software to System 7.1. The kit contains six 1.4
MB system disks, a QuickTime 1.5 disk, and a disk with the Compatibility
Checker software, which customers can use to check the compatibility
between System 7.1 and their current applications. The System 7 Personal
Upgrade Kit also contains the Desktop Macintosh User's Guide and the
System 7 Upgrade Guide. For a limited time, Apple's At Ease software is
bundled with this upgrade kit.

In the United States, the System 7 Personal Upgrade Kit is available
through a wide variety of software resellers and Apple authorized
resellers for a suggested retail price of U.S. $99. Outside the United
States, the System 7 Personal Upgrade Kit is available through Apple
Authorized resellers. Pricing varies by country.

In the United States, customers who purchased Version 7.0 of the System 7
Personal Upgrade Kit after September 1,1992, will receive the Version 7.1
product free of charge by providing proof of purchase. For more
information, customers should call 800-769-2775.

System 7 MultiPack--This ten-user package provides the software necessary
for an installed-based customer to upgrade up to ten users from Version
6.0x of Macintosh system software to System 7.1. The MultiPack contains a
CD-ROM with the 7.1 system software, in several language versions,
QuickTime 1.5, the Compatibility Checker, and system enablers. The
MultiPack also contains the same software on 1.4 MB floppy disks, as well
as the Desktop Macintosh User's Guide, the System 7 Upgrade Guide, and the
Administrator's Handbook.

In the United States, the System 7 MultiPack is available on November
30,1992 through a wide variety of software resellers and Apple authorized
resellers for a suggested retail price of U.S. $499. Outside the United
States, the System 7 MultiPack will be available through Apple Authorized
resellers. Pricing varies by country.

Customers in the United States who purchased the System 7 Group Upgrade Kit
after September 1, 1992, will receive System 7.1 free of charge by
providing proof of purchase. For more information, customers should call
800-769-2775.

Customers in the United States who do not have an Apple SuperDrive and
require 800K floppy disks may call 800-769-2775 to obtain these disks from
Apple at no charge, after purchasing the System 7 Personal Upgrade Kit or
System 7 MultiPack.

Volume Purchases--After November 30,1992, Apple plans to offer a
volume-purchase plan for customers with large installations of Macintosh
computers. For more information, customers should call 800-769-2775 or
their Apple representative.

System 7.1 Products for Asian Markets 

KanjiTalk 7, the Japanese version of the System 7.1 product is available
immediately in Japan. The product includes all features of System 7.1,
plus the Kotoeri input method and seven new Kanji TrueType fonts.

Availability of other selected System 7.1 products for Asian customers is
as follows:

Product                             Availability
----------------------------        -----------------
Korean version of System 7.1        November 1, 1992
Thai version of System 7.1          November 15, 1992
Chinese-Talk II (Traditional)       November 15, 1992
System 7 (Chinese/simplified)       January 15, 1992

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010

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