CUPERTINO, Calif.--Apple Computer on Tuesday introduced its third
Intel-based Mac, a revamped version of its petite Mac Mini.
The new Mac Mini will be available, starting immediately, in two models.
The
low-end model sells for $599 and comes with a 1.5GHz Intel Solo
single-core
chip, a 60GB hard drive and a combo drive that can play DVDs and burn CDs.
The higher-end version will sell for $799. It comes with a dual-core
1.67GHz
Core Duo processor, an 80GB hard drive and a SuperDrive that burns CDs and
DVDs.
Both models come with 512MB of memory, Gigabit Ethernet networking,
FireWire
ports and four USB ports.
"We think this is going to be a strong product for us," CEO Steve Jobs
said
at a special event at company headquarters here.
Apple also unveiled the "home stereo quality" iPod Hi-Fi, which Jobs said
is
of higher quality than the speakers available today. The large speaker
system comes with an iPod dock built-in, as well as an auxiliary port to
connect an iPod Shuffle or other device.
"It's really a home stereo reinvented," Jobs said. "It's home stereo
reinvented for the iPod age."
The iPod Hi-Fi will sell for $349 and goes on sale on Tuesday. The device
can plug directly into the wall or run with six "D" batteries.
Jobs also introduced Apple-branded leather cases for the video iPod and
iPod
Nano. The cases will sell for $99 and will be available in mid-March.
The new Mac Mini does move Apple a step closer to offering a living-room
PC
similar to a Windows Media Center. The new computer is loaded with the
company's "Front Row" multimedia navigation system, which allows viewers
to
use a remote control to browse and play music and video files, and the
company showed its capabilities connected to a flat-screen Sony TV.
But Mini still lacks built-in abilities to record video from a television,
which would turn it into a natural TiVo competitor, or a simple way to
hook
into a cable or satellite TV system. Analysts said that neither the
industry
overall nor consumer expectations have settled on a mainstream blend of
computer and TV functions.
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