Business Highlights

SAN JOSE — Apple Computer Inc. introduced additional laptops with Intel Corp. chips Tuesday, inching closer to the completion of its historic shift to microprocessors used by its PC rivals.

The new consumer lineup of MacBook notebook computers replaces Apple’s previous iBook and 12-inch PowerBook, which used PowerPC chips from IBM Corp. and Freescale Semiconductor Inc.

The 13-inch widescreen MacBooks feature Intel Core Duo chips that Apple says boost the laptops’ performance by four to five times compared to their predecessors. They come in black or white and range in price from $1,099 to $1,499.

The MacBooks share many of the features as the more expensive MacBook Pro editions, such as the built-in webcam and Front Row media software, but they have a smaller display and lack some of the higher-end components and the aluminum casing.

The MacBook debut means the only remaining Macintosh computers to switch to Intel chips are the high-end professional desktop PowerMacs. Apple has said it will complete the chip transition by the end of the year.

Record industry sues XM Satellite over handheld device

WASHINGTON — The recording industry sued XM Satellite Radio on Tuesday over its new iPod-like device that can store up to 50 hours of music for a monthly fee, sending to the courts a roiling dispute over how consumers can legally record songs using next-generation radio services. The federal lawsuit, filed in New York by the largest labels, accuses XM Satellite of "massive wholesale infringement” because its $400 handheld "Inno” device can record hours of music and automatically parse recordings by song and artist. The device is sold under the slogan, "Hear it, click it, save it.”

The lawsuit seeks $150,000 in damages for every song copied by XM Satellite customers using the devices, which went on sale weeks ago. The company said it plays 160,000 different songs every month.

XM Satellite has balked at the industry’s efforts to collect expensive distribution licenses similar to those required for Internet downloading services, such as Apple Inc.’s iTunes.

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