This Apple falls farther from the tree

The new iMac may share the name of its predecessor, but its desk-lamp design has little in common with the old egg-shaped model.

A 15-inch flat screen attaches by a swivel bar to a small hemisphere that holds the innards of the computer. "This is the best thing I think we've ever done," said Steve Jobs, chief of Apple Computer Inc., at last week's unveiling. It will form a digital hub to which cameras, music players, and other devices can be connected, Mr. Jobs said.

Apple has made a name for itself with revolutionary products and designs, though it has less than 5 percent of the market. Three different models of the iMac will be released over the next few months, ranging in price from $1,299 to $1,799.