BANGALORE, June 23: As part of its plans to capitalise on the growing notebook computer market in India, Apple Computers introduced its Macintosh PowerBook 3400 series on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, Apple Computer India managing director RK Gupta, said that through this notebook the Indian users can avail themselves of unique features like the 240MHz PowerPC processor, built-in ethernet and modem, hot swappable expansion bay modules, the Apple location manager and a four speaker sound system.

Though unable to reveal the market potential for the new PowerBook, he said that this portable notebook will allow users to run processor and graphic intensive applications on a mobile platform.

All PowerBook 3400 models come configured with Mac OS 7.6 and a variety of productivity, communications and compatible software. This is also the first PowerBook to ship with Apple Location Manager, a software utility which allows users to save systems settings that are location dependent including networking, printer, time zone, file sharing, sound auto open items and extension manager, he added.

Apple is offering the 200 MHz and the 240 MHz configurations of the PowerBook 3400 in India. These models will be available through authorised Apple resellers and distributors and the current suggested retail prices range from Rs 2.73 lakh to Rs 3.43 lakh. Apple products are currently sold in India through its partners - Odin Computers India Ltd, Reddington Pvt Ltd, Tangerine Computers Et Al, Unicorp Industries and International Graphics Ltd.

Gupta said that Apple technology is widely used on the internet and the Apple multimedia technology is also widely used for interactivity for the personal computer market. Apple has established its QuickTime technology for cross-platform interactive development and playback on internet.

Apple also has a growing present on the World Wide Web with more than 100 sites.

As the internet become popular in the country, Apple plans to expand its portfolio of alliances, he added.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.