Apple to Open 25 Retail Stores in 2001

CUPERTINO, California—May 15, 2001—Apple® today announced that it will open 25 retail stores across the U.S. in 2001, with the first two stores opening this Saturday, May 19, at Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia, and the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, California.

“The Apple stores offer an amazing new way to buy a computer,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Rather than just hear about megahertz and megabytes, customers can now learn and experience the things they can actually do with a computer, like make movies, burn custom music CDs, and publish their digital photos on a personal website.”

Knowledgeable salespeople will be able to demonstrate Macs® running innovative applications like iTunes and iMovie™, as well as Mac® OS X, Apple’s revolutionary new operating system. All of the Macs are connected to the Internet, and several are connected to digital lifestyle products that complement the Mac experience, such as digital cameras, digital camcorders, MP3 players, and handheld organizers.

The Apple stores will carry over 300 third-party software titles for professionals and consumers, including some of the best educational titles for kids. Many of the computers in the store will be running popular third-party applications such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.

The Apple store is organized into sections to make it easy for both first time and computer savvy customers:

• Products—“Home” and “Pro” sections offer customers the opportunity to explore the full selection of Macintosh computers, displays and AirPort™, Apple’s revolutionary wireless networking solution.

• Solutions—Four separate sections allow customers to explore the latest digital lifestyle solutions. These solution areas show you how to get the most from your Mac—through making desktop movies, using a digital camera to create stunning prints or photo albums on your personal websites, putting your entire music library on a Mac and burning custom music CDs with your favorite songs, and letting your kids explore the latest education software and games while you shop. Solutions also carries a wide assortment of the best third-party camcorders, cameras, MP3 Players, and PDAs.

• Genius Bar—Where everyone is invited to ask the Mac “genius” questions, connect to the local Mac community or receive service. The Genius Bar is staffed at all times by the most knowledgeable Mac people in the local community. If they don’t know the answer to a tough question, they can pick up the Apple “hot line” for immediate help from Apple headquarters.

• Theater—Where customers can watch demonstrations of Apple’s latest innovations, like our revolutionary new operating system, Mac OS X, on the store’s giant 10 foot diagonal screen.

• Software—Where customers have access to over 300 Mac software titles, including the best assortment of small business, entertainment, productivity, education, graphic, and web design titles. (NOTE - As of August 3, 2001, the software area of the Apple Retail Stores includes nearly 600 software titles.)

• Etc.—The Etcetera area contains a targeted selection of key products customers will need to round out their solutions: printers, scanners, tablets, cables, paper, ink and other accessories.

Apple’s retail stores will carry inventory for every Apple and third-party product displayed to ensure immediate fulfillment.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals, and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.

Press Contacts:
Mark McClellan
Apple
(408) 974-9950
mcclellan@apple.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (www.apple.com/pr/), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Mac, Mac OS, AirPort and iMovie are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.