Apple Unveils Major New Release of Java for Macintosh

Java Performance Now Five Times Faster

CUPERTINO, California--Feb. 15, 1999--Apple Computer today announced
a major new release of its Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for Macintosh
which is up to five times faster than previous versions of Java on
Macintosh, based on industry standard CaffeineMark3 benchmarks. The
new release, named MRJ 2.1, is available for free downloading from
Apple's website (www.apple.com) beginning today.

"Customers will immediately notice the significant performance
improvements in MRJ 2.1," said Avie Tevanian, Apple's senior
vice-president of Software Engineering. "And its designed to run
real-world Java applications from companies such as Autodesk, Oracle,
SCT, and Zero G Software."

MRJ 2.1 is based on Java Development Kit (JDK) 1.1.6 from Sun
Microsystems, and allows Macintosh developers to extend the
capabilities of Java applications by coupling them with core Apple
technologies like QuickTime and AppleScript. The new MRJ2.1 features:

--Symantec's high-performance Just In Time (JIT) compiler for Java,
as well as enhanced graphics, imaging, threading and networking
performance which make MRJ 2.1 up to five times faster than its
predecessors.

--Compliance with Sun's JDK version 1.1.6, bringing new Java features
to Mac OS and maximum Java compatibility with the current generation
of Java applications.

--AppleScript support, enabling Java applets to work with other
AppleScript applications.

--Support for QuickTime for Java, which will be in the next release
of QuickTime.

--Support for Swing, a user interface toolkit which brings the
Macintosh "look and feel" to Java applications.

Mac OS Runtime for Java 2.1 requires a PowerPC-based Apple Macintosh
computer, Mac OS 7.6.1 or later, and at least 32 MB of RAM.

Apple Computer, Inc. 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 now recommitted to its original
mission - to bring the best personal computing products and support
to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers,
businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.