TECHNOLOGY - Jan. 27, 1996

Merger Talks Between Apple, Sun Off for Now: Sun Microsystems Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Scott McNealy, while declining to comment specifically on any discussions with troubled Apple Computer Inc., told The Times late Friday that he intends to spend the weekend preparing for the AT&T; Pro Am golf tournament to be held next week in Monterey, Calif. “My big issue, contrary to popular opinion these days, is my golf game,” McNealy said. “I don’t want to hit [former President] Gerald Ford with a golf ball.” Sources who declined to be named said the talks between Sun and Apple had reached an impasse over price and that many of the executives and advisors involved in the discussions were headed to Arizona for Sunday’s Super Bowl. Reports in the Wall Street Journal earlier this week said Sun had all but agreed to buy Apple for $33 a share, but other reports put the price considerably lower. Although the talks could still be revived, the two sides appear to be far apart. “I’d be surprised if this thing goes back on,” one Sun insider said.