ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601240034
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CUPERTINO, CALIF.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Apple Computer Inc. denied Tuesday that it's for sale, seeking to contain a frenzy of speculation and shareholder anger about the growing crisis at the legendary computer maker.
Apple's chairman, Mike Markkula, made the statement after an annual shareholder meeting marked by widespread criticism of his management team, which has led the company that popularized the desktop computer into a morass of losses, layoffs, misjudgments and a clouded future.
Markkula spoke after The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that a $4 billion buyout of Apple by Sun Microsystems Inc., a maker of powerful desktop computers, was imminent.
Like Apple, Sun Microsystems is rooted in California's Silicon Valley technology powerhouse and has helped shape the evolution of the computer industry.
Asked by a reporter whether he cared to repeat earlier statements that the company is not for sale, Markkula said, ``Apple is not for sale.'' Neither Apple or Sun executives would comment beyond that.
With Apple bruised by a financial loss and declining market share, some shareholders called for the resignation of directors and top executives, including chief executive Michael Spindler.
LENGTH: Short : 34 linesby CNB