Apple is building up a head of steam behind the Macintosh with the launch of the 512K version and plans for a rapid expansion of its software program.

The Big Mac is due to make its UK debut today (Wednesday) and Apple also expects to be able to offer 150 packages for the Mac line by the end of the year.

By Apple's standards this is a paltry sum - the Apple II line boasts the largest software catalogue of any micro in the world - but it is an important step in bolstering the Mac.

Due to be available this week are Filevision, PFS: File and Report, Microsoft Chart, a database called Habadex, and others that bring the current total of packages to 50.

The production of software for the Mac is central to the machine's prospects, and from there to Apple's. Apple UK's new boss David Hancock sees the Macintosh as more than just a critical system for the company - more a symbol of the company's style. "Mac is different," he said. "We can do the same things as any other company - we can count beans as well as anyone - but you've got to go further than that."

He calls the Mac a 'power tool', a means of extending the talents of the user and, most adventurously, a product to match the personality of the person who buys it. You might have thought you were buying a micro, but obviously there's more to it than meets the eye.

"The challenge isn't just producing software," says Mr. Hancock. "It's producing the right type of software. People are going to create with it, communicate with it, enjoy it."

"What we're doing now is to try to look into the future and program for that," he adds, meaning the direction of the company as well as the development of the Macintosh. But again the Mac serves as an example - "It will have to change to meet changes from the users, who are going to put challenges on us when they start using the machine in their own way."

So, after the larger Mac you can expect communications facilities and much more software. The present offerings aren't cheap - even the games cost upwards of £25 - but Apple left the cheap and cheerful image behind a long time ago.

The Apple II family isn't being abandoned, but Mr. Hancock sees it continuing to develop largely through the momentum that has built up behind it over the years. An illustration of what he means was provided last week by Hilderbay which is offering a free Apple IIe and software to any user, reviewer or Inland Revenue staff member who finds an error of calculation in its payroll or Statutory Sick Pay packages for the II, IIe and IIc.