Apple Computer Inc is going to market a smaller notebook computer designed exclusively for the Japanese market as early as next month, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Even though the troubled company has been cutting down its product range since Steve Jobs reassumed control, it figures that exceptionally strong demand in Japan for light, compact laptops made it worth the effort to develop the exclusive model. It will be the second model in the Powerbook 2400 series, and was created jointly by Apple and IBM Japan Ltd. IBM manufactures the machine. The first model, introduced in May 1997, sold well in Japan but saw weak response elsewhere. Although Apple often modifies software to accommodate Japanese users, the new computer will be the first made exclusively for use in Japan. Pricing and release date have yet to be determined, but the machine should be available before the end of the June quarter.
