Apple Computer has introduced a series of revamped multimedia products  
which combine exceptional performance and low cost. The Apple CD 300e
Plus improves upon the now discontinued CD 300 by offering a powered tray
for CD loading instead of a cumbersome CD-caddy. Like it’s predeccesor, the
CD 300e Plus is an extrenal SCSI double-speed CD-ROM drive (offering a
data transfer rate of up to 342 kilobytes per second) and is capable of reading multi-session Kodak Photo CDs. In addition, because of its tray-loading mechanism, the new drive is able to read 3-inch CD-ROMs.
The CD 300i Plus is the internal version of the same CD-ROM drive, and is availible for the Centris 610, 660av and 650, Quadra 610, 660av and 650, IIvi, IIvx, and LC 575.
The Apple Design Powered Speakers II offer a new, smaller design and lower price tag. The speakers retain the key features of the original Apple Design Powered Speakers, such as stereo sound and magnetic shielding, and are offered in both platinum and slate color.
The Apple CD 300e Plus will have an estimated street price of $500 ($349 U.S.), and the CD 300i Plus will sell for approxiamtely $400 ($279 U.S.). Both drives will ship in May. The platinum color Apple Design Powered Speakers II are shipping now, and retail for $125 ($79 U.S.).  
 
Altsys, the software developer of Freehand, has filed a lawsuit  
against Aldus for violation of a software licencing agreement that
gives Aldus exclusive worlwide marketing rights for Freehand.
The pending merger with Adobe Systems Inc. would create a com-
pany with two design packages, Freehand and Illustrator; this,
according to Altsys, violates a no-competition clause in the software licence agreement that is has with Aldus.
The amount Altsys is seeking in damages has not yet been revealed. Aldus claims that the suit is “without merit”. Aldus and Adobe plan to continue marketing both Freehand and Illustrator for the time being.  
