WVSU Yellow Jacket — Apple brings the goods to Charleston
By Sean Rose
Apple Computer came to the Charleston Marriott on Aug. 30 for its New Product Update hosted locally by TCS Technology Services, also known as The Computer Store.
The Apple G4 Cube is a supercomputer in an 8" box.
Plenty of smiling faces were greeted by the smooth curves and elegant design of the new Apple product line, including the new iMac, a 22" flat panel monitor, the multiprocessor G4 towers and the all-new G4 Cube. When asked what brought Apple to Charleston, Barrett Thompson of Apple said, "It was a combination of things. We have been to Charleston before and since TCS is under new management, we wanted to kick start their business and show our [Apple’s] support for them." Owner of TCS Technology Services Chris Heller added, "Last year, Apple was a good portion of our business."
It seems Apple’s new products focus on the entire spectrum of computer user’s, from someone buying their first computer to professionals in all businesses. The popular and charming iMac has been completely redesigned and is available for as little as $799 in all new colors.
The new, dual processor, that means in layman’s terms - twin brained, G4 towers claim to be the fastest computers on Earth, testing twice as fast as a Dell 1000MHZ Pentium III system in third party tests. TCS consultant Al Peery commented, "The dual processor machine was the fastest desktop computer I’ve seen. Even just installing software you notice the difference."
The show stopper and most admired system was the 22" flat panel display and the G4 Cube that measures a mere 8"x8"x10". It should be, as the system’s combined price comes very close to $6000. "There’s no decay, and it will probably be the last monitor you buy, at least until you have one that just hangs on your wall," noted Barrett.
Barrett also announced the consumer beta test release of Mac OS X (read 10) due out on Sept. 13. OS X is the most anticipated operating system release since Windows 95, and its rumored to put Apple at the forefront of software technology. Consumers can decide for themselves by ordering a CD-ROM from Apple’s website for the cost of shipping and handling. The final version of the software will ship in early 2001.
The Product Update also focused on technologies that set Apple apart from its competitor’s in the PC world. Airport wireless networking lets computers share files and Internet connections without any cables or fancy setup. Apple’s website currently offers a free package called "iTools" that gives users 20MB of webspace, their own email @apple.com and "KidSafe." "KidSafe" is an impressive tool that allows children to safely surf 100,000 educator approved websites and blocks access to everything else.
South Charleston resident Larry Childers said, "I came down here to see all this stuff." Peery wrapped up saying, "It’s nice to see PC users coming in and telling us they switched to Mac." Visit Apple at www.apple.com for more information.
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