Apple Unveils Its New IIGS; Latest Twig off Family Tree Is Meant for Home, Schools
Two years ago, when Apple’s portable computer made its debut, it was in typical Apple-splash fashion. The theme, “Apple II Forever,” was repeated everywhere--signs, T-shirts, buttons and even a song. Today,c Apple is singing a new verse to the same old tune.
The No. 2 maker of personal computers is scheduled to unveil the Apple IIGS today, the latest in the long line of Apple II products. The GS performs jobs three times faster than its predecessor, Apple IIe, has flashy color capabilities and the voice of a sawed-off synthesizer. It is, say analysts who have seen the machine, a pretty good little computer.
But there are lots of pretty good little computers--so many, in fact, that a mini-price war has broken out and every Tom, Dick and ComputerLand is offering discounts. And in recent weeks, several new personal computers have been added to the list.
10-Year-Old Technology
In fact, the new Compaq computer unveiled two weeks ago is newer, technologically; it uses cutting-edge components. The Apple IIGS is, after all, part of a family whose technological base goes back 10 years.
But that’s the point precisely, say Apple executives--with not a few analysts nodding in agreement.
“I get a real kick out of it when people start to corner me about the life cycle of the Apple II,” said Del Yocam, Apple’s executive vice president. “And I say to them, ‘Well, you draw the line, you tell me where this life cycle ends.’ But it’s really all up to us, how long it goes.” The new Apple IIGS, he said, is part of that “Apple II Forever” promise.
The original Apple II was the Steve Wozniak-designed machine that sparked the personal computer revolution. It has been the bread-and-butter machine for the Cupertino, Calif.-based company; its sales fueled the company’s growth as the major--some say only--serious alternative to the IBM world of personal computers.
As a sign of the continuing folk-hero status of Wozniak, a “designer” limited edition of the new Apple will bear a “Woz” signature plate.
But Apple’s commitment to the Apple II product line is more than affectionate nostalgia. The Apple II family has a huge existing installed base, and hundreds of software products have been written for the computers over the years. The new Apple is fully compatible with the existing programs, but it offers enhanced memory storage and processing speeds, which will allow even more sophisticated programs to be used.
Analyst John Girton of Birr, Wilson & Co. in San Francisco said: “I am surprised and amazed at how long the Apple II phenomenon has lasted. But this upgrade is necessary to prevent loss of (Apple’s) market share in education.”
Competition has been heating up in the education market, where Apple is dominant with as much as a 60% share of computers used in grades K-12. Apple said the new GS machine (whose initials stand for graphics and sound) is intended for the education and consumer--read “home”--markets.
Analysts said the timing of the Apple IIGS’ introduction means that it will be a hot-selling item this holiday season. It could spell trouble for Commodore, whose similarly priced Amiga computer has been strong in the home market.
The Final Nail?
“This may put the final nail in Amiga’s coffin,” said Norm DeWitt, personal computer analyst at Dataquest, a San Jose market research firm.
DeWitt said Apple will not be able to produce substantial quantities of the IIGS this year--perhaps 35,000 of them. But advertising for the IIGS likely will draw customers to stores, and other Apple products such as the Macintosh will benefit.
Computer makers have not yet found the key to the potentially lucrative home market, and many companies have given up trying. Apple has shunned the “home computer” image but holds a major position in that market. Paul Evans, microcomputer analyst at S. G. Warburg, Rowe & Pitman, Akroyd Inc. in San Francisco, said the IIGS may be the machine to finally pry open that market.
ComputerLand, the nation’s largest specialty computer retailer, is hoping for brisk holiday sales of the machine. “This is the most exciting Christmas product we have,” said Mike McConnell, senior vice president of the chain. “It guarantees an Apple Christmas for ComputerLand.
The base price for the Apple IIGS is $999. A typically configured system, including the enhanced color monitor and a disk drive, would cost about $1,800.
