Apple has launched the long-awaited Macintosh, the system which is due to pick up the baton from Lisa in its race against IBM.

The Mac comes with 128K of RAM, 64K of ROM containing operating system and built-in graphics fireware, a single 400K 3.5" microfloppy, monochrome screen, full-moving keyboard with desktop mouse, two serial interfaces and a bus slot for further expansion. It should cost about £1,800.

The system has also been designed to be reasonably "luggable" with small footprint, vertical appearance and carry-bag.

The Macintosh has been launched into a market, in the US at least, heavily dominated by the IBM PC and its compatibles. Rather than go for IBM compatibles. Rather than go for IBM compatibility (though this can't be ruled out as a future option) Apple has decided to go it alone on the strength of its Lisa-type interface which, the company claims, offers a considerable advance in ease of use over conventional offerings. Instead of controlling applications programs through control characters or function keys, the Mac uses a tabletop mouse so you can select functions by manipulating a series of on-screen icons.

Apple hopes that Mac will sell well as an MS/DOS alternative and claims that application package prices will be held down at £75.

It also hopes to avoid the mistakes that plagued the Lisa's US appearance by having systems ready for delivery immediately, and in the next month or two in the UK. In addition it can point to a deal with 24 of the leading universities in the US - including names like Harvard, Yale, and Princetown - where the Mac will be on sale to students at only $1,000.

For a full and exclusive Pro-test of the Macintosh turn to page 18.