Apple to Launch Innovative New Laptop

Apple plans to launch a new ultra-thin laptop at the company’s annual Macworld Exposition in the US in ten days’ time.

The computer, expected to weigh around half the weight (about 1kg) of a normal laptop, is rumoured to have a ‘solid state’ memory system, improving battery life to over 12 hours, far higher than most other laptops.

The device is one of a series of product announcements expected at the conference. Other products include an expanded film and TV downloading service on iTunes, with the inclusion of programmes and movies from Fox and Disney.

The service is expected to allow the content to be copied once onto a DVD, under modified intellectual property rules now used by Apple.

One announcement being watched in Ireland is the timing of the iPhone launch here.

Currently, the gadget is available only in France, Britain and Germany, but is expected to be launched in other European countries in the first half of this year.

An issue to be resolved is whether or not the device will include 3G,which current generation models do not have.

This is important for accessing the internet or sending picture messages and e-mails, activities the iPhone aspires to encourage. A spokesman for Apple declined to comment.