Mini laptop at core of Apple vision

Vendor pushes mobile computing platform at MacWorld last week

Apple is hoping to germinate more shoots of recovery this year by pushing its mobile computing platform, according to executives at MacWorld Expo in Paris last week.

"This will be the year of the notebook for Apple," said Steve Jobs, chief executive of the company. Of Apple's total computer sales in 2001 and 2002, 35 per cent were laptops.

Apple introduced two G4 PowerBook portables. One has a 17in screen - the biggest on any laptop - while the firm claimed that the other, a 12in machine with many of the features of its larger brother, is the smallest full-function notebook available.

The company also showed 802.11g versions of its wireless Airport products, offering 54Mbps and compatibility with 802.11b base stations and adaptors.

However, it was the small laptop that caught VARs' imaginations. "I think people will want to upgrade their older G3s, G4s and iBooks to the G4 12in model," said Bruno Kesteloot, general manager at MacLine's Belgian office.

"There will be a great deal of business done on the smaller laptop. But I'm still waiting for a new G4 workstation."

Mark Rogers, UK managing director at Apple, claimed that sales of the iMac remain healthy. "Our figures for the first quarter of 2003 look very good indeed on the iMac - they've been spectacular," he said.

Rogers added that the new products introduced by Apple at the show illustrate how the firm wants to push innovation in the industry.

Apple has risked the ire of Microsoft by introducing Safari, a web browser that, it claimed, is faster than Internet Explorer for the Mac.

It also launched a PowerPoint-compatible presentation programme called Keynote, which will sell for £79.

Rogers said that his company's productivity applications did not compete directly with Microsoft Office, which is targeted at SME and enterprise business users.

Other software debuted at the show included more tightly integrated versions of iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD and iMovie, which allow users to edit soundtracks and burn movies and music to DVD or CD.