Apple unveiled what it dubbed the world’s fastest personal computer, a Power Mac powered by a 64-bit IBM chip.
The chip can process data in chunks twice the size of those handled by the chips in Intel-based PCs, according to an Apple statement late on Monday.
The new Power Mac is expected to boost Apple’s sales, which have lagged in recent years as worldwide PC sales slumped and the company struggled to prove its computers’ mettle compared with Intel-based machines.
”I know that this one is going to sell,” said Richard Doherty, an analyst with Envisioneering Inc. in New York.
”There are time-sensitive applications where you have to get something done in a short amount of time — desktop video, graphics
layout and special effects. For those types of jobs, you have to have the fastest computer,” he said.
Apple shares fell 14 cents to close at 19:06 on Monday. The stock is up from 12,72 in April and hit a year high of 20,63 last week.
Doherty said the new Mac, which he said was in development for two years, could help Apple triple its unit sales volume in the next year.
Apple plans to offer the new computers in three configurations, with a starting price of $1 999. It will use the latest version of Apple’s OS X operating system, also unveiled on Monday.
”When you do the math, almost every specification comes in equal or faster than the Pentium 4,” said Tim Bajarin, an analyst with California-based Creative Strategies.
”The Apple core audience is made up of people doing music, imaging, videos… You just can’t give them enough speed. When you get a big boost like this, it drives the high end of Apple’s business.” – Sapa-AFP