As I mentioned last month, on June 28th Apple CEO Steve Jobs will open the annual Worldwide Developer’s Conference with one of his patented Keynote addresses. Anytime Mr. Jobs takes the stage, you know something cool is coming. Usually, Apple clusters new hardware and software releases around such events, getting as much advertising “bang for the buck” as possible. So, the days and weeks leading up to these events are often devoid of new offerings, and instead filled with rabid rumor-mongering. It appears this year may be an exception to the rule.

This week Apple made two major product announcements. The first: speed bumps to the PowerMac G5 desktop lineup. The high-end ($2999) machine gets dual 2.5GHz 64-bit G5 processors, up from the dual 2.0GHz processors in the former model. That may not seem like much, considering that Mr. Jobs “promised” 3.0GHz processors by this summer. Seems that getting the 90-nanometer processor architecture to higher GHz speeds has been slower than anticipated (which appears to be a common malady among all processor manufacturers these days). However, the jump from 2.0 to 2.5 GHz is a 25 percent improvement, at the same price point. Other improvements include faster bus architecture, faster DVD burner drive, and a unique quiet liquid-cooling system for the faster, hotter processors on the 2.5GHz model.

The entire PowerMac line also gets dual processors – a dual 1.8GHz entry-level machine ($1999), and a dual 2.0GHz mid-range ($2499) machine. Remember, when I say “entry-level” I’m talking about entry-level for the pro graphic design, photo, audio, and video crowd.

The new PowerMacs reportedly contain an Apple software utility designed to simplify and improve the transfer of critical system software and data files from your “old” computer to your new computer. The entry and mid-level machines are available immediately (as they’re already making the 1.8GHZ and 2.0GHz processors in volume), and the new 2,5GHz model will be available next month.

In other news, the last monthly meeting (before the summer hiatus) of MMOOS, our local Mac user group, will be this coming Tuesday evening (6/15) at 7:00 PM in the multi-purpose room at Brunswick High School.

What’s the second product announcement? What if you could listen to your iTunes music collection anywhere in the house, on any stereo (or powered speakers), without any wires? You can (next month, actually). More to come.

© 2004 Peter F. Zimowski