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Apple Computer Inc., maker of the iMac personal computer, may introduce an iBook laptop for consumers today, an Apple retailer said. Apple stopped selling iBook laptops, which were introduced more than a year ago, prompting speculation that it may introduce a successor to the product line. Apple sold 55,000 iBook units for $70 million in its second quarter, compared with 115,000 units for $174 million a year earlier.

* Ariba Inc., whose software helps companies buy and sell goods on the Internet, promoted Larry Mueller to chief executive after its loss widened and the company cut its sales forecast this month. Mueller, 48, replaces Keith Krach, who will continue as chairman, the company said. Ariba officials couldn’t be reached for comment. Ariba’s fiscal second-quarter loss widened, the company said April 20, and Ariba reduced its sales forecast April 2 because companies have curbed information-technology spending as the U.S. economy slows.

* Computer Associates International Inc., responding to a Sunday New York Times article saying the enterprise software maker has systematically overstated its revenue, defended its business and accounting practices to analysts. Shares of the Islandia, N.Y., company fell $3.06 to close at $32.19 on the New York Stock Exchange. Chief Executive Sanjay Kumar told analysts in a conference call that a new business model allowing CA to account for revenue by short-term subscriptions instead of one-time license fees will not only benefit the company and customers but has been copied by competitors.

* Internet consultancy MarchFirst Inc. said it has voluntarily converted its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for reorganization into a Chapter 7 filing for liquidation, according to the Web site of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The Chicago-based company had filed for Chapter 11 protection April 12 following a slew of actions designed to keep its business running, including a management reshuffle, a big staff reduction and the sale of key assets.