Was Apple going to launch iMacs with CD-RW?

Apple has hastily revised the system requirements for its Disc Burner software, a key component of its consumer-oriented iTunes MP3 virtual hi-fi software.

On Tuesday, following CEO Steve Jobs' MacWorld Expo keynote, at which iTunes was launched, Apple's Web site claimed Disc Burner required an "iMac or later computers that have an internal Apple CD recording drive".

Yesterday, however, that was subtly changed to "Power Macintosh G4 computers that have an internal Apple CD recording drive".

The change possibly reflects a last-minute decision to focus on the Power Mac line in the keynote. Apple's new G4 machines all now offer CD recording across the range. As yet no CD-R or CD-RW option is offered with the iMac.

As we noted here yesterday, we were surprised that Jobs, having admitted the company had "missed the bus" on CD-RW, didn't say Apple would ship its iMacs with recordable CD drives too.

Indeed, an Apple source close to the iDVD team was also amazed that Jobs didn't mention iMacs equipped with CD-RW drives, according to ThinkSecret. Mac users should indeed, as we suggested yesterday, expect Apple to make a follow-on announcement shortly, the source added.

Most likely Apple wants to clear out more of its inventory of unsold machines before announcing upgrades. ®

Related Link

ThinkSecret's CD-RW story can be found here

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