Apple Computer has scheduled a press event for May 1 with CEO Steve Jobs, sparking speculation that he will unveil new Macs or announce plans for retail stores.
Sources have told CNET News.com that Apple is working on a slimmer version of its iBook consumer notebook. There has also been speculation that Apple will introduce new dual-processor PowerMacs.
Both products are expected to come no later than July at the Macworld Expo in New York, but some sources have said they will come sooner.
"Apple CEO Steve Jobs and senior management will make some exciting announcements and host a Q&A," Apple said in its invitation to reporters. Apple press events are relatively infrequent and, in the past, have served as launches for new products.
Distributors have been running low on iBooks, which is often a harbinger of new Apple models.
"If Apple has run the iBook inventory to zero and there are no backorders, then that means new models are coming," Gartner analyst Chris LeTocq said.
Apple does not comment on its future products. However, Jobs has said the company will introduce products this year in events other than keynote speeches at industry trade shows.
"I think you will see some major products announced this year - not at keynotes," he told shareholders.
The company has also been making plans to open a series of retail outlets. Apple has repeatedly refused to comment on those plans.
"It's about time Apple discussed their retail store plan," Technology Business Research analyst Tim Deal said. At the same time, Deal has reservations about Apple opening the stores.
"In light of Gateway - the Wintel equivalent of Apple - and the recent closing of their stores, I don't think it's a good time for Apple to promote a retail presence," he said. With more than 34 percent of sales coming directly from Apple's online store and the recent departure of Mac dealers, he added, "it's clear more and more of their customers are buying online."
The only way a retail strategy makes sense is "Apple getting in the face of non-Mac users and converting some of them," Deal said.
If Apple does introduce new products at the event, it would be a step in the right direction, NPD Intelect analyst Stephen Baker said.
"The things that Apple needs to do to improve their performance is to become more like (other PC makers) in terms of how they manage their product lifecycles," he said. "When you only have a couple of product refreshes and nothing in between, the pace of the market can get ahead of you."
