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Apple today enhanced its iBook G4 line for consumers and education customers with faster Power PC G4 processors running up to 1.42 GHz, 512MB memory across the line, higher performance graphics and built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The new iBooks feature two patent-pending Apple technologies made popular in the PowerBook G4 line, the scrolling TrackPad and the Sudden Motion Sensor.

At the same time, Apple today announced enhancements to its Mac mini line, with 512MB of memory standard in every model and prices starting at just $949 (incl GST). The Mac mini also features built-in wireless networking with AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth starting at just $1,135 (incl GST), and the ability to burn DVDs with a SuperDrive for just $1,315 (incl GST).

"The new iBook is the perfect portable for the go anywhere, do anything digital lifestyle of consumers and students," said David Moody, Apple's vice president worldwide Mac product marketing. "With improved performance, double the memory, and new mobility features like the scrolling TrackPad, Sudden Motion Sensor and Bluetooth, the new iBooks are an amazing value."

Each iBook features the ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 with 32MB of dedicated video memory for improved graphics and either a slot-load SuperDrive, for burning DVDs and CDs, or a slot-load Combo drive for watching DVDs and burning CDs. Every iBook also includes a scrolling TrackPad to easily scroll through long web pages or pan across large photographs and Apple's Sudden Motion Sensor technology to help protect a spinning hard drive if the notebook is accidentally dropped.

Apple continues to lead the industry in integrated wireless communications and is the first computer maker to include both 802.11g and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technologies across its entire line of notebook products. Every iBook now features built-in Bluetooth 2.0 (Enhanced Data Rate) and integrated AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR delivers up to three times greater data rates for faster wireless connectivity to a range of peripherals and is also compatible with Bluetooth 1.2 devices such as the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse. The new iBooks also include built-in 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet for high-speed networking, two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port for easy plug-and-play connections to popular peripherals such as Apple's market-leading iPod digital music player, digital video camcorders, digital still cameras and printers.

Each iBook includes iLife "05, Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand and iTunes as well as Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger".

The 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4 iBook, weighing just 4.9 pounds, has a suggested retail price of $1,899 (incl GST) and includes:

• a crisp 12.1-inch (diagonal) active-matrix TFT display
• 512MB DDR SDRAM expandable to up to 1.5GB maximum memory
• a 40GB Ultra ATA hard drive
• AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400
• VGA video out, S-video and composite video out support
• 56K v.92 modem, Ethernet (10/100 BASE-T)
• a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive.

The 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 iBook, weighing just 5.9 pounds, has a suggested retail price of $2,449 (incl GST) and includes:

• a brilliant 14.1-inch (diagonal) active-matrix TFT display
• 512MB DDR SDRAM expandable to up to 1.5GB maximum memory
• a 60GB Ultra ATA hard drive
• AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400
• VGA video out, S-video and composite video out support
• 56K v.92 modem, Ethernet (10/100 BASE-T)
• a slot-load SuperDrive (DVD¨±R/CD-RW) drive.

Mac mini

"Mac mini has been a popular choice for consumers getting started with Mac OS X and iLife "05," said David Moody, Apple's vice president worldwide Mac product marketing. "With double the memory and new features like built-in wireless networking and DVD burning, the new Mac mini delivers an even greater value in an innovative compact design."

The Mac mini lineup includes three models: 1.25 GHz Mac mini, 1.42 GHz Mac mini and the new 1.42 GHz Mac mini with SuperDrive for burning DVDs and CDs. The Mac mini with SuperDrive is the most affordable Mac for quickly and easily creating your own professional quality DVDs using iLife "05, Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications. The top two models of the Mac mini now include built-in AirPort Extreme for 54 Mbps 802.11g fast wireless networking* along with an internal Bluetooth module. With wireless networking, customers can place Mac mini almost anywhere and still have fast, convenient access to the Internet. Built-in Bluetooth enables cable-free communication with Bluetooth-equipped mobile phones and PDAs as well as popular peripherals such as the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Wireless Mouse.

Just two inches tall and weighing only 2.9 pounds, Mac mini redefines design for the sub-US-$1,000 desktop, and allows users the flexibility to choose their display, mouse and keyboard. Mac mini includes one FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports for easy plug-and-play connections to popular peripherals such as Apple's market-leading iPod digital music player, digital still cameras, digital video camcorders and printers. Mac mini offers a DVI interface that also supports VGA so customers can easily connect to a variety of LCD or CRT displays and built-in 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet.

Every Mac mini includes iLife "05, Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand and iTunes as well as Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger".

The 1.25 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $949 (incl GST), includes:

• 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 processor
• 512MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable to 1GB
• 40GB Ultra ATA hard drive
• Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive
• ATI Radeon 9200 graphics processor with 32MB video memory
• one FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking and 56K V.92 modem
• internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth
• DVI or VGA out (adapter included), composite/S-video out with optional adapter
• built-in speaker and headphone/line out.

The 1.42 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $1,135 (incl GST), includes:

• 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor
• 512MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable to 1GB
• 80GB Ultra ATA hard drive
• Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive
• ATI Radeon 9200 graphics processor with 32MB video memory
• one FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth
• DVI or VGA out (adapter included), composite/S-video out with optional adapter
• built-in speaker and headphone/line out.
  

The 1.42 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $1,315 (incl GST), includes:

• 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor
• 512MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable to 1GB
• 80GB Ultra ATA hard drive
• SuperDrive (DVD¨±RW/CD-RW) optical drive
• ATI Radeon 9200 graphics processor with 32MB video memory
• one FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth
• DVI or VGA out (adapter included), composite/S-video out with optional adapter
• built-in speaker and headphone/line out.
  

Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 1GB of RAM, SuperDrive (DVD¨±RW/CD-RW), AirPort Extreme Card, 56K V.92 modem, internal Bluetooth module, wired or wireless Apple Keyboard and Apple Mouse and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

[Update 1]
Prices changed to NZ dollar based on prices announced this afternoon in New Zealand.

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