jimb@amd.UUCP (Jim Budler) (01/24/85)
What follows has already been around the U.S. It is the full text of the
Press Release from Apple, Inc. concerning the products announced today at the
stockholders' meeting. In addition the Stockholders' meeting was televised
here in the San Francisco Bay area.
I watched that show and can say that the press release covers the technical
details from the show. It doesn't cover the direction of future intent
displayed. Apple has a very together plan of attack for the next two years
based upon providing in depth development of the products already announced.
To me this says they are going to provide more in depth support to developers
and users than they have shown this passed year. The hardware for their
next two year plan is DEVELOPED. This includes, as described below, the
laser printer, the file server ( plus independently developed file servers
for Appletalk ), and the Apple produced card for the IBM PC to connect it to
the IBM world.
The release below is from Compuserve, and as it says it got there from the
Source. And now to Usenet, and from there to Arpa.
APPLE PRESS RELEASES ANNOUNCING THE MACINTOSH OFFICE, LASERWRITER, APPLETALK
NETWORK, AND LISA 2/10 NAME CHANGE TO MACINTOSH XL
Provided by Jim Armstrong of Apple Computer, Inc., to Mike Greenly for
electronic distribution via PARTI on the Source. Edited (for format only)
by Robert Wiggins. More information is available in the conference
"APPLE MEETING" organized by Mike Greenly in PARTI on the Source, but as that
portion of the information is copyrighted, it cannot be included here.
*******************************************************************************
Overall Apple Strategy Press Release
*******************************************************************************
APPLE COMPUTER, INC. INTRODUCES THE MACINTOSH OFFICE
Steven P. Jobs, Chairman of the Board
John Sculley, President and Chief Executive Officer
One year ago, we introduced the Macintosh* personal computer. Within 100 days
it was hailed as an industry milestone. Macintosh heralded an era of new,
intuitive interactions between people and computers. It changed forever
people's expectations of what a computer should be and how it should perform.
1984--The Beginning
-------------------
In 1984 we successfully established Macintosh as a stand-alone productivity
tool. Macintosh was designed to serve the needs of individual "knowledge
workers," those business people who transform information and ideas into
reports, plans, budgets, memos and presentations. We concentrated on
providing knowledge workers with the tools to do these tasks easily and
inexpensively. Macintosh was the first step in our larger plan to provide
solutions needed by business. We set three goals in the year following the
Macintosh introduction -- 1. to sell 250,000 Macintosh computers, 2. to
have at least 150 software applications available, and 3. to establish
Macintosh as the third industry milestone, following the Apple II and the
IBM PC. With more than 250,000 units sold and more than 300 software
packages shipping, we have not only met, but exceeded our goals.
Now that we've demonstrated the strength of Macintosh, we can unfold our
strategy to take the concepts of innovation and radical ease of use more
deeply into the office.
1985--The Macintosh Office
--------------------------
In 1985, we'll concentrate on increasing the productivity of knowledge workers
through improved communication. We'll provide them with an environment--The
Macintosh Office--where they can work together in the most productive ways
possible. Today we are announcing the AppleTalk* Personal Network and the
LaserWriter printer. And these two products are only the next step. Our
strategy over the next few years is to introduce a series of products to
meet the needs of work groups. Through these products we plan to achieve
our long-term goal of establishing Macintosh as the second standard in a
variety of business markets. Our products must allow people to exchange
information among their Macintosh computers and other products already used
by business. For this reason, The Macintosh Office products will
communicate and coexist with the standards that are already established.
The concept of The Macintosh Office builds on an understanding of how
people in business really work. Our research shows that knowledge workers
spend about 80 percent of their time working closely with five to 25 other
people. The remaining 20 percent of the time, workers need to reach beyond
this group. The Macintosh Office provides tools to let knowledge workers
communicate within the work group and tie into outside information. These
work groups exist everywhere in business. Our target market includes the
work groups in small, medium and large businesses, all of which communicate
and process information.
Products to Improve Productivity in Work Groups
-----------------------------------------------
At the heart of The Macintosh Office, of course, is Macintosh. The Macintosh
family of products, built on the premise of power and radical ease of use,
includes the entry-system Macintosh 128K; the more powerful Macintosh 512K,
the Macintosh most frequently chosen by business users; and the Macintosh XL,
for users who need more memory, a larger screen and a built-in hard-disk
drive. Working in combination with its hardware products, The Macintosh
Office has powerful business software solutions. More than 350 software
packages already exist for Macintosh. Soon, the recently introduced Jazz
will be added, the integrated business software package from Lotus Development
Corp. Third-party software packages already available include powerful
high-end word-processing programs, such as Microsoft Word, and sophisticated
data bases such as Helix from Odesta.
Throughout the year we will see more specialized software that takes advantage
of the distinctive features of the products in The Macintosh Office, adding to
the exciting new business software programs entering the market continually.
To really take advantage of the Macintosh hardware and software solutions,
Macintosh users in work groups need to be able to communicate with each other.
The AppleTalk Personal Network is a breakthrough in price/value that brings
Macintosh radical ease of use to work groups.
Networks have been slow to catch on in business, mainly because they're too
expensive, they're too complicated to install and use and there's too little
software available for them. But software won't be developed without a large
installed base of networks to write for, so the network market is at a
standstill.
AppleTalk will change all that. For a suggested retail price of only $50 a
connection, AppleTalk allows Macintosh and other personal computers to share
peripherals and lets up to 32 computers and peripheral devices communicate
with each other within work areas of 1,000 feet. AppleTalk can act as a
tributary to other networks for communication outside AppleTalk, and multiple
AppleTalk networks can be bridged together to extend beyond 32 connections.
AppleTalk will do for networks what personal computers did for computing--bring
the services inexpensively to a great many individuals. Leading companies,
such as 3Com Corp., Sytek Inc. and Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc., are
already working on products for AppleTalk. We are relying on continuing strong
support from third-party developers, who are taking advantage of AppleTalk's
open architecture to design innovative and powerful network-based hardware and
software products based on the network.
Knowledge workers need to be able to express their ideas visually in written
form and for presentations. Apple's LaserWriter is a breakthrough in visual
communication that brings to workstations a productivity tool never before
available.
The LaserWriter is a high-resolution laser printer that can be shared in a
work group to print such documents as newsletters, overhead transparencies,
business forms, memos, brochures and reports. Through its dynamic built-in
software language, PostScript, plus its built-in computer--the most powerful
Apple has yet built--and a Canon LBP-CX10 engine, the LaserWriter produces text
and business graphics with quality and flexibility previously restricted to
printers costing several times as much. It prints characters and graphics in
virtually any size at full-page 300 dots-per-inch resolution.
The key business software available for the Macintosh will produce output from
the LaserWriter without modification. Also, a built-in program emulates the
Diablo 630, a popular daisy-wheel printer, letting IBM and IBM-compatible
personal computers using IBM PC software print directly on the LaserWriter
with no software modifications.
The printer will change the standard for written business communication by
providing near typeset-quality text and art department-quality graphics
directly to business people at their desks.
Work groups sharing a network need centralized storage for files and
electronic mail. Apple's file server will be just one of many file and disk
servers on the market for The Macintosh Office.
The file server, with 20-megabyte and 40-megabyte capacities, will be Apple's
hard-disk electronic communication solution for work groups. It will have a
built-in computer; software that provides file transfer, electronic mail and
print-spooling; and built-in file-management software that will form the basis
of multiuser applications to be developed by third parties.
The file server's design encourages development of both hardware and software
products. It contains a standard SCSI peripheral interface to support
hardware add-ons such as tape back-up and additional storage. Also, it uses
the Macintosh operating system and development environment, making it easy for
third-party software developers already familiar with Macintosh to write
applications for the file server.
The Macintosh Office will also include a variety of file server and shared
disk products from third parties, ranging in price and features. Some will be
available by as soon as the second quarter of 1985. For example, disk servers
will be provided by Micro Design and Sunol Systems Inc., and a Unix service
system called "Ultra Office" from Lutzky-Baird Associates will be available in
the first quarter.
Apple will also provide utilities that make Macintosh an even more useful
business machine. For example, during 1985 we will enhance the Macintosh user
interface and file system to significantly improve Macintosh performance,
particularly with hard disks.
Coexistence with the IBM World
------------------------------
We realize we must connect The Macintosh Office world with the IBM world. It
is necessary for Apple to connect with the IBM world at three strategic
points: mainframe corporate data bases, System 36 and the PC/PC network level.
In the mainframe world, Apple's existing data communications products promote
coexistence by allowing Macintosh to communicate with other systems.
MacTerminal, introduced last year, provides a single-user interface to a broad
selection of computer environments, including the IBM 3270 and DEC VT 100
terminals. The Apple Cluster Controller provides a pathway between Macintosh
and IBM networks based on bisynchronous or System Network Architecture (SNA)
protocols. With either the Cluster Controller or with AppleLine, which
emulates a 3278 terminal, the Macintosh family can talk directly to IBM in 3270
protocols.
We will continue our commitment to interface with IBM standards. Apple and
third-party developers will provide gateways from AppleTalk into different IBM
host computing environments, giving networked Macintosh users on AppleTalk the
same access to mainframe information currently available to stand-alone
Macintosh computers through MacTerminal, AppleLine and the Apple Cluster
Controller. Also, Macintosh users will be able to exchange revisable
documents with IBM systems through the DIA/DCA format.
To integrate the IBM PC into The Macintosh Office, we will provide an AppleTalk
card for the IBM PC that puts it onto the AppleTalk network, with software to
allow it to print on the LaserWriter and to use Apple's hard-disk file-server
product. Additional software will let the IBM PC also be used as a file
server itself and as a communications gateway into IBM's PC Network.
We will be giving details on these products and others as we get closer to the
time of their introduction.
Reaching Work Groups with the Products
--------------------------------------
The work group is a retail concept, and The Macintosh Office products provide
retail solutions. Because one-third of our dealers sell directly to
businesses, we will be using our retail channels--traditionally the heart of
Apple's business--to sell to most small and medium businesses and to departments
of companies for whom dealer-provided training and support are more economical.
These retailers include well-known chains such as BusinessLand, Moore Business
Centers (formerly The Genra Group) and Sears Business Systems Centers. They
usually supply in-store staffs with experienced sales personnel who work
outside the store calling upon businesses and coordinating customer support.
*******************************************************************************
Launch of new laser printer
*******************************************************************************
APPLE ANNOUNCES NEW HIGH-RESOLUTION LASER PRINTER
CUPERTINO, Calif., January 23, 1985--Apple Computer, Inc. today announced the
LaserWriter high-resolution laser printer. The new product allows business
users to produce near typeset-quality text and art department-quality graphics
from their personal computer workstations. The LaserWriter--printing such
documents as newsletters, overhead transparencies, business forms, memos,
brochures and reports--can be shared among a work group of up to 31 people
using AppleTalk*, Apple's low-cost personal network.
The printer, which is an integral part of The Macintosh* Office, provides
flexibility and quality of output usually restricted to printers costing
several times as much. The LaserWriter achieves full-page 300-dots-per-inch
output through a Canon* LBP-CX10 engine, a powerful built-in computer designed
by Apple and a software language called PostScript*.
"The LaserWriter is a breakthrough in visual communication that will change
the way people do business on paper," said Barbara Koalkin, Macintosh Office
products marketing manager. "To a large extent, business people are judged by
the quality of their written documents and presentations. We designed a shared
printer that brings near typeset-quality output to the desks of these office
workers.
"The LaserWriter not only replaces daisy-wheel and dot-matrix printers, but in
many instances it obviates the need to go to an art department or print shop
for typesetting and paste-up."
The LaserWriter Has Networking Built In
---------------------------------------
The LaserWriter has the AppleTalk Personal Network built in, so that one
printer can be shared by up to 31 people in a work group. In addition to the
AppleTalk port, the LaserWriter has an RS-232 port to connect it to devices
outside AppleTalk that use this communications standard. Through a built-in
program to emulate the Diablo* 630, a popular daisy-wheel printer, IBM* and
IBM-compatible personal computers using WordStar* or other IBM PC software can
print directly on the LaserWriter with no software modification.
Key business software available for the Macintosh computer will produce output
from the LaserWriter without modification. This software includes Jazz*, the
integrated business-software package from Lotus Development Corp.; the
Microsoft* series; and all Apple* Macintosh software. In addition, new
applications are being developed for Macintosh to take advantage of the
LaserWriter, including Aldus Corp.'s PageMaker*, a package that allows users
to design and compose layouts for such publications as newsletters, data sheets
and brochures.
"We at Lotus are impressed with the quality and capability of the new
LaserWriter printer," said Eric Bedell, Lotus' Jazz marketing manager.
"Letters, reports, forms and presentations created on Jazz look incredible
when printed on the LaserWriter.
"We believe that Jazz and the new printer offer the business professional the
opportunity to create some of the highest-quality output available in today's
microcomputer marketplace."
The LaserWriter printer accommodates the many sizes of paper, transparencies,
envelopes and labels that offices use. It can print up to eight pages per
minute, and at a rate of two or three pages a minute for even extremely
complex graphics.
Vendors of complete systems have shown interest in including the LaserWriter
in their product offerings to businesses. One such company, Metaphor Computer
Systems, has signed an agreement with Apple under which it will include the
LaserWriter in its information retrieval and analysis system marketed to
product marketing and financial departments of Fortune 500 companies.
LaserWriter Provides Flexibility for Transparencies and Reports
---------------------------------------------------------------
Apple designed the high-quality LaserWriter to serve a wide range of office
needs, both for written reports and for transparencies used in business
presentations. For example, the printer can integrate unlimited combinations
of text and graphics on a single page, for reports, brochures and newsletters.
It can print the very small type sizes needed for forms as well as the large
type sizes needed to make transparencies for presentations. Also, the printer
incorporates actual typefaces and fonts used in traditional typesetting, such
as Helvetica* and Times*, which are preferred in producing forms and
newsletters.
"The LaserWriter will revolutionize presentations, one of the main ways people
communicate with each other in business," Koalkin said. "Previously,
transparencies for these presentations were done by hand or by art
departments. Now, the LaserWriter provides the quality of art department
transparencies faster than could be done by hand."
Underlying the LaserWriter's versatility is an interpretive programming
language called PostScript, developed by Adobe Systems Incorporated. This
flexible page- description language was created specifically for
high-resolution printers and typesetting machines.
A powerful feature of the PostScript language is that it stores fonts as
mathematical formulas, or "outlines," rather than as a bit map for every size,
style and orientation of a typeface. Using these outlines, PostScript can
direct the printer to generate characters in a wide range of point sizes, from
three points up to more than 720 points, limited at the high end only by the
size of the paper. (Seventy-two points measures one inch.
Besides text characters, PostScript also directs the production of extremely
high-resolution line art and graphics. In fact, the graphic capabilities of
the LaserWriter exceed even those possible on the Macintosh screen.
The LaserWriter is the first personal-computer printer to be awarded license
to use the original Helvetica and Times typefaces. Times is the most common
typeface for newspapers, and Helvetica is the most popular for business forms.
Also built into the printer are Courier and a mathematical Symbol font. The
printer can also support all of the current Macintosh typefaces. Apple will be
releasing additional "downloadable" fonts for the printer, selected from the
typeface libraries of the International Typeface Corp. and the Mergenthaler,
Linotype, Stempel, Haas typeface library.
The software is device-independent, which means that any workstation,
including the IBM PC, for instance, can take advantage of the LaserWriter
through PostScript. Similarly, Macintosh applications can print on any
PostScript-compatible printer or typesetter, with no software changes.
"PostScript is being viewed by the printing industry as the first widely
adopted page-description standard," Koalkin said. "As demonstration of this
fact, Linotype, a division of Allied Corporation, is announcing a line of
AppleTalk- and PostScript- compatible typesetters.
"Macintosh users will be able to hook up their machines to these high-end
phototypesetters over the AppleTalk Personal Network and achieve resolution of
up to 2,540 lines per inch."
Hardware Built to be Reliable, Powerful
---------------------------------------
The LaserWriter contains the most powerful computer ever designed by Apple.
At the heart of the LaserWriter is a 12-megahertz Motorola* 68000
microprocessor.
The printer's computer also includes 1/2 megabyte of read-only memory (ROM),
plus 1 1/2 megabytes of random-access memory (RAM). This powerful computer is
necessary to provide the flexibility and quality of output that businesses need
for their day-to-day printing requirements.
The LaserWriter's Canon engine contains the laser and the printer's mechanical
parts. The engine was designed for easy servicing without the mess normally
associated with adding toner to printers or copiers. Components that need
regular replacement, including toner and the imaging scroll, are isolated in a
removable cartridge for convenient access. Cartridges last for 2,000 to 3,000
pages, after which users easily remove and replace them without calling a
service representative.
Price and Availability
----------------------
The LaserWriter printer will sell for a suggested retail price of $6,995,
including toner cartridge. It will be available in March 1985 in the United
States and Canada through all Apple distribution channels, and in June 1985
internationally.
-30-
Apple, the Apple Logo, and AppleTalk are trademarks owned by and Macintosh is
a trademark licensed to Apple Computer, Inc.
Canon is a trademark of Canon Inc.
PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Diablo is a trademark of Xerox Corporation.
IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
WordStar is a trademark of MicroPro International Corporation.
Jazz is a trademark of Lotus Development Corporation.
Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
PageMaker is a trademark of Aldus Corporation.
Helvetica and Times are trademarks of Allied Corporation.
Motorola is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.
*******************************************************************************
Tech Specs on Laser Printer.
---------------------------
LaserWriter Product Specifications
Marking Engine:
Canon LBP-CX laser-xerographic engine
Controller:
Controller hardware contains: 12mhz 68000, 1/2 Meg of ROM, 1 and 1/2 Meg of
RAM, AppleTalk* and RS-232C interfaces.
Print Quality:
All text and graphics printed at 300 dots per inch.
Built-in Fonts:
Times*, Times Bold, Times Italic, Times Bold Italic, Helvetica(, Helvetica
Bold, Helvetica Oblique, Helvetica Bold Oblique, Courier, Courier Bold,
Courier Oblique, Courier Bold-Oblique and Symbol are built-in. Underline,
Shadow and Hollow styles for the above fonts can also be generated. Full
international character sets. Supports all Macintosh fonts as downloaded
bitmaps.
Built-in Font Sizes:
Full range of sizes from 4pt on up. Limited at the low end by the resolution
of the printer and at the high end by the size of the paper.
Speed:
8 pages per minute maximum throughput. Actual performance is application and
document dependent.
Interface:
AppleTalk and RS-232C.
Printing Protocols Supported:
POSTSCRIPT* and a subset of Diablo( 630 command set.
Recommended Duty Cycle:
Less than 4000 pages per month.
Printing Material Feed:
Automatic from paper input cassette.
Manual single sheet feed.
Printing Materials:
Best results with 16-21 lb. single sheet copier bond. Can use most letterhead
and colored stock from 8-34 lb. Can also use standard overhead transparency
material. Envelopes and labels supported via manual feed.
Printing Material Sizes and Capacity:
Supports Letter, Legal, A4, and B5 sizes. Input cassette holds 100 sheets,
output tray holds 20 sheets.
Maximum Printable Surface:
DimensionLetterLegalA4B5
Width (inches)8.07.07.57.0
Length (inches)10.912.510.510.0
Dimensions:
Width18.5 inches
Depth (body only)16.2 inches
Depth (with trays)28.2 inches
Height11.5 inches
Weight77 lbs.
Power:
US Model115 VAC (1 10 percent) 60Hz
European Model220 VAC (1 10 percent) 50 Hz or
240 VAC (1 10 percent) 50 Hz
Safety and Environmental Compliance:
UL 660F listed
CSA LR49439 certified
FCC Class B
BRH certified Class I laser product
Temperature:
Operating50-90 degrees F (10-32.5 C)
Storage32-95 degrees F (0-35 C)
Humidity:
Operating20-80% relative humidity
Standby10-80% relative humidity
Altitude:
Operating0-8200 feet
Non-operating0-49000 feet
Audible Noise:
Operatingless than 55 dB (A)
Standbyless than 45 dB (A)
Times, and Helvetica are trademarks of the Allied Corporation
AppleTalk is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Diablo is a trademark of Xerox Corporation
POSTSCRIPT is a trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.
*******************************************************************************
Launch of Apple Talk Network
*******************************************************************************
REGIS MCKENNA INC.
1800 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Katherine Cadigan - Christopher Dorst
(415) 494-2030
Prepared for:
APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
20525 Mariani Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
Renee Rodrigue (408) 973-2042
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APPLE ANNOUNCES THE APPLETALK PERSONAL NETWORK
CUPERTINO, Calif., January 23, 1985--Apple Computer, Inc. today introduced
AppleTalk*, the low-cost personal network for The Macintosh* Office computers
and related peripherals. The AppleTalk Personal Network lets personal
computers share high-performance peripherals and connects computers within a
work area of approximately 1,000 feet for a suggested retail price of only $50
per connection, a fraction of current networking costs. AppleTalk can also
serve as a tributary system, using bridges and gateways to link to other
networks.
"With AppleTalk, we hope to do for networks what personal computers did for
computing--bring the services easily and affordably to a great many people, "
said Barbara Koalkin, Macintosh Office products marketing manager. "We have
developed a general-purpose personal network that is easy to install and easy
to use while being powerful, fast and truly revolutionary in price. We want the
third-party developer community to have free rein with AppleTalk to design
products that add value to the network."
A single AppleTalk network connects up to 32 devices, with the computers and
peripherals configured in any combination. Personal-computer users can share
peripherals such as file servers and Apple's new LaserWriter printer.
Apple also designed AppleTalk to interact with other networks. Through
intelligent bridges, users will be able to connect two or more AppleTalk
networks to form larger networks. AppleTalk networks will also be able to
communicate with other networks through intelligent gateways. Using AppleTalk
Personal Networks as tributary systems in these ways, work groups can exchange
information with other groups and with larger computer networks.
"In offices, people spend most of their time working closely with about five
to 25 other people, doing related or common projects," Koalkin said. "Until
today, networks for these offices have been complicated to install, hard to use
and expensive, all of which have limited the number of personal computers
currently on networks to less than five percent. The AppleTalk design has been
optimized to be a work-group networking solution that is extremely easy to
install and use, thus making it more attractive to work groups in businesses
of all sizes."
Developing Products for AppleTalk
---------------------------------
More than 50 companies already have products under development for the
AppleTalk Personal Network. Among the new products are hardware devices that
connect Apple computers with IBM Personal Computers, an AppleTalk interface to
the Ethernet local-area network, gateways to IBM networks, a Unix file server,
hard-disk servers and others.
"We have been creating an Ethernet-based, multivendor environment for personal
computers since 1982," said Bob Metcalfe, chairman of 3Com Corp., which has
developed an Ethernet interface for AppleTalk. "By opening up AppleTalk to
developers, Apple is allowing us to extend this environment to include The
Macintosh Office."
Apple has published all protocols for AppleTalk. The architecture is layered,
and it is "open"--as opposed to proprietary--at every layer. Developers and
users can gain access to the network as well as add their own protocols at any
layer. Apple expects that publishing complete protocols in this way will spur
developers to provide innovative products for AppleTalk.
In addition to positive response from developers, Apple has also received
strong support and acceptance for AppleTalk from members of the Apple
University Consortium. For example, beginning last October, 1,200 Macintosh
computers were put on a number of AppleTalk networks at Dartmouth College. The
networks, located in student dormitories and campus buildings, are being used
for terminal emulation for access to the college's mainframe computers and for
document and file transfer between Macintosh computers.
Shared Peripherals will have AppleTalk Built In
-----------------------------------------------
Apple's LaserWriter already has AppleTalk built in, as will all future Apple
peripherals for the network, including the file server to be introduced later
in 1985.
"Including the network as an integral part of the design of the peripherals
reduces the cost and complexity for end users, who don't have to add cards to
their equipment to let them work on the network," Koalkin said.
Apple also expects that third-party developers will start building AppleTalk
into their hardware products because of advantages in cost and ease of
development.
Open Architecture Stresses Simplicity, Power and Versatility
------------------------------------------------------------
Apple designed the AppleTalk Personal Network with a specific goal in mind: to
provide work groups with a network that is low-cost and easy to install and
use, yet powerful enough for building a broad range of network services for
work groups.
Because the circuits to support AppleTalk were built into the Macintosh family
of products at the outset, users do not have to open their machines to add
cards to connect to AppleTalk. The AppleTalk Connector Kit consists of a
connection box and cables to link a device to the network, and installation
takes only a few minutes. Unlike existing networks, AppleTalk needs no
network administrator to install or configure it.
Apple's software design conserves the network's data bandwidth so that data
can be transferred at speeds comparable to those of networks with much higher
bandwidths. Apple was able to maximize the use of the network's bandwidth of 230
.4
kilobits per second by designing very efficient software protocols. Six
kilobytes of software (for the Macintosh)--as compared to dozens of kilobytes
for most other networks--are needed to implement the basic network protocols.
Small software size also helps speed information transfer through the network.
Much of the AppleTalk architecture is already built into Macintosh and will be
built into all the peripherals designed for the network. With greater
intelligence inside the computers and peripherals and outside of the cable,
fewer bits are required to transmit information along AppleTalk cables. Thus,
the power of the computer and peripherals reduces the network load.
Controlling Traffic Along AppleTalk
-----------------------------------
The devices connected to an AppleTalk Personal Network exchange data over a
shared, shielded, twisted-pair cable. AppleTalk controls traffic using a
software protocol called carrier-sense, multiple access with collision
avoidance (CSMA/CA), which was designed to allow all devices to compete equally
for access to the cable.
With CSMA/CA, a computer or peripheral device that has data to transmit along
the network first "tests the water" by "sensing" whether the line is busy or
free. If other traffic is already on the bus, the computer or peripheral
device waits until the line is free before transmitting.
To avoid collision, the devices connected to AppleTalk follow a special
collision-avoidance routine. Upon sensing that the line is free, a network
device waits 400 microseconds plus an additional time, determined randomly by
the software, before reserving the line via a quick "handshake process." This
process keeps other devices from using the line at the same time. Other
devices seeking access to the cable must continue to test the line until it is
free, at which point they can begin the collision- avoidance cycle to reserve
the network for their transmissions.
Price and Availability
----------------------
The suggested retail price of $50 for AppleTalk includes the AppleTalk
connector and two meters of cable; additional ten-meter cables and connectors
may be purchased. AppleTalk will be available in March 1985 in the United
States and Canada through all Apple distribution channels, and in June 1985
internationally. During the second quarter of 1985, 100-meter cable
custom-wiring kits will also be available.
-30-
*******************************************************************************
Tech Specs for AppleTalk Network
*******************************************************************************
AppleTalk* Personal Network Product Specifications
Topology:
Bus
Architecture:
Open
Maximum Number of Connections
32
Medium:
Shielded twisted-pair
Connection:
Passive drops
Operating Distance:
1,000 feet
Speed:
230.4 kilobits per second
Link Access Protocol:
Carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA)
Frame Format:
SDLC (Synchronous Data Link Control)
Configuration:
Self-configuring, no user switches or action to identify devices
Environment:
Operating temperature: 0 C to 40 C
Storage temperature: -40 C to 70 C
Relative humidity: 5% to 95%
*******************************************************************************
Macintosh XL (rename of Lisa)
*******************************************************************************
*******************************************************************************
APPLE RENAMES LISA COMPUTER AS MACINTOSH XL
CUPERTINO, Calif., January 23, 1985--Apple Computer, Inc. today announced that
the Lisa( 2/10 computer has been renamed the Macintosh* XL to reflect the
computer's key role in The Macintosh Office, Apple's new line of business
products.
"Many people have asked when Apple will introduce a Macintosh that has a
built-in hard disk, enlarged screen and the internal capacity to process very
complex business applications," said Mike Murray, director of marketing for
Macintosh at Apple. "We already have such a Macintosh. It's called the Lisa
2/10 and we want people to know what it can do.
"That's why we're changing its name to Macintosh XL--to better communicate
that the XL is truly an extra-large Macintosh."
The Macintosh XL has a 12-inch screen, larger than either the 128-kilobyte or
the 512-kilobyte Macintosh computers. It comes with 512 kilobytes of memory,
expandable to 1 megabyte, or 1,024 kilobytes. The computer also has a
built-in hard disk that can store up to 10 megabytes of information.
With up to 1 megabyte of memory, the Macintosh XL enables business users to
run complex applications. Users of Lotus Development Corp.'s Jazz integrated
business software, for example, can use the full memory capacity to create
very large documents and models.
The built-in hard disk offers fast performance and 25 times the storage
capacity of a floppy disk. The larger screen allows users to see more data at
one time, such as more columns in a spreadsheet or wider pages in
word-processing applications.
"Apple is committed to its installed base of Lisa users," Murray said. "For
people who already own the Lisa 7/7 business software, we will offer a
migration path from 7/7 into the networking environment of our new Macintosh
Office products. This package includes programs that transfer files from
Lisa 7/7 to Macintosh software applications, including MacWrite, MacDraw,
MacProject and Jazz.
"With the new role of the Lisa 2/10 as a 'big Macintosh' in The Macintosh
Office, the Lisa 2 and Lisa 2/5 will be phased out," Murray said.
-30-
--
Jim Budler
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
(408) 982-6547
UUCPnet: {ucbvax,decwrl,ihnp4,allegra,intelca}!amd!jimb
Compuserve: 72415,1200
The Source: STW265rick@ut-ngp.UTEXAS (Rick Watson) (09/18/85)
[]
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.