APPLE, the US computing and consumer electronics giant, is to launch a low-cost laptop. Company founder and chief executive Steve Jobs hopes to be able to unveil the device this week in San Francisco along with a new low-cost iPod and some other surprises.
As revealed by The Business last year, Apple has been working to develop a low-cost laptop to encourage consumers using Apple iPod music players to buy its computers.
Despite recent legal attempts by Apple to silence US-based website ThinkSecret, which has been predicting the imminent launch of a cheap laptop, US analysts believe Apple plans to unveil a new laptop this week. Apple has taken ThinkSecret to court with allegations that recent postings on its site outlining planned Apple products revealed trade secrets.
Apple shocked the computer industry last year by announcing it was ditching its long-term loyalty to IBM PowerPC microchips in favour of Intel processors, which have traditionally powered rival PCs running Windows software produced by Apple’s rival, Microsoft.
US analysts believe a low-cost Apple laptop running on Intel processors would enable Apple to capitalise on the success of its range of iPod music players by tempting iPod owners to switch from Microsoft-based computers to Apple machines.
Apple is also believed to have been working on a new version of its lowest-priced music player, the iPod Shuffle, which costs from £69 (E100, $118.68). The Shuffle is unique in the iPod range in not having a screen. Industry sources believe Apple has been hoping to have a new version of the Shuffle complete with a screen ready in time for Macworld, Apple’s biannual new product showcase being held in San Francisco Tuesday.
Other products under development likely to be unveiled at Macworld include software and hardware designed to link existing Apple products and software to TVs and hi-fi in the living room. There is also speculation in the US that Apple hopes to be able to launch its own version of Office software. Currently anyone buying Apple laptops or PCs has to pay £109 upwards for an Apple-friendly version of Microsoft Office.
But Steve Jobs is nothing if not a showman and he may have additional surprises up his sleeve on Tuesday. This weekend Jobs was conducting gruelling rehearsals of his presentation, which as well as being seen by thousands of people in San Francisco will be simultaneously broadcast to millions around the world to packed venues such as the BBC Television Centre in London.
As revealed by The Business last year, Apple has been working to develop a low-cost laptop to encourage consumers using Apple iPod music players to buy its computers.
Despite recent legal attempts by Apple to silence US-based website ThinkSecret, which has been predicting the imminent launch of a cheap laptop, US analysts believe Apple plans to unveil a new laptop this week. Apple has taken ThinkSecret to court with allegations that recent postings on its site outlining planned Apple products revealed trade secrets.
Apple shocked the computer industry last year by announcing it was ditching its long-term loyalty to IBM PowerPC microchips in favour of Intel processors, which have traditionally powered rival PCs running Windows software produced by Apple’s rival, Microsoft.
US analysts believe a low-cost Apple laptop running on Intel processors would enable Apple to capitalise on the success of its range of iPod music players by tempting iPod owners to switch from Microsoft-based computers to Apple machines.
Apple is also believed to have been working on a new version of its lowest-priced music player, the iPod Shuffle, which costs from £69 (E100, $118.68). The Shuffle is unique in the iPod range in not having a screen. Industry sources believe Apple has been hoping to have a new version of the Shuffle complete with a screen ready in time for Macworld, Apple’s biannual new product showcase being held in San Francisco Tuesday.
Other products under development likely to be unveiled at Macworld include software and hardware designed to link existing Apple products and software to TVs and hi-fi in the living room. There is also speculation in the US that Apple hopes to be able to launch its own version of Office software. Currently anyone buying Apple laptops or PCs has to pay £109 upwards for an Apple-friendly version of Microsoft Office.
But Steve Jobs is nothing if not a showman and he may have additional surprises up his sleeve on Tuesday. This weekend Jobs was conducting gruelling rehearsals of his presentation, which as well as being seen by thousands of people in San Francisco will be simultaneously broadcast to millions around the world to packed venues such as the BBC Television Centre in London.