Hoping to increase Apple’s market share and bring their products to the masses, Steve Jobs announced several new products last week, including a computer beginning at US$499 and a flash memory-based iPod beginning at US$99. While Apple’s iPod has been a big seller over the past few years, few purchasers have made the transition from PC computers to Apple computers. With the Mac mini and iPod shuffle that could change quickly.
The Mac mini was designed for people ready to make the transition from PC computers to Apple computers. The 6.5-inch by 6.5-inch by 2-inch box allows buyers to attach the mouse, keyboard and monitor they already own.
The iPod shuffle holds up to 120 on the 512MB version and up to 240 songs on the 1GB version. Designed for those who enjoy shuffling their music playlist, the iPod shuffle has no LCD screen and is smaller than most packs of gum. Apple aimed the newest iPod at the 30 percent market share of personal music players that they do not already own.
The iPod shuffle and Mac mini are available for purchase now on the Apple Store website and will be available in most Apple Store retail locations on January 22, 2005.