Apple to sell iMac computer for education market

SAN FRANCISCO- Apple Computer Inc. has said it will begin selling a version of its iMac personal computer for US$899 ($1494) for the education market, as it bolsters its business aimed at students and teachers.

The company, known for its popular iPod digital music and video player, said the new iMac will have a 17-inch liquid crystal display and will be powered by Intel Corp's latest-generation chip, known as the Core Duo.

The computer, available immediately to students and teachers, replaces Apple's eMac, which had a bulkier display using older technology. It comes with multimedia applications for creating websites with Web logs and photos and has the latest Macintosh operating system.

Apple, based in Cupertino, California, has been offering discounts to students and teachers since the early 1980s as it competed with International Business Machines Corp., Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co., among others, in the lucrative educational personal computer market.

Over 12 per cent of Apple's net sales in 2005 were to the US education market, including elementary and secondary schools, higher education and individuals buyers, the company said in its 2005 annual report.

- REUTERS