SAN FRANCISCO - Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs left them with a smile with his keynote address at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco.

Jobs wrapped up his two-hour presentation with the unveiling of the new radically designed iMac. The most obvious change is the replacement of the usual tube-tied video screen with a sleek new flat-panel display that swivels and tilts on its dome-shaped base.

"This is the official death of the CRT, today," says Jobs. "This is the complete digital hub for the digital lifestyle."

The new iMac comes with two speeds, 700 MHz and 800 MHhz with a G4 processor, velocity engine and optical hard drives that at its bare minimum will let you burn a CD, with a maximum capability of making your own DVDs. Prices range between $1299 and $1799, with the top-end models being released at the end of January and all three available by the end of March.

San Mateo, Calif.-based Genetech has already pre-ordered 1,000 units.

Apple also announced the release of a 14 inch version of its popular white iBook with a $1799 price tag and slashing $100 off of its $1299 entry-level model.

With his usual flair for the dramatic, Jobs waxed poetic about nearly every aspect of his self-proclaimed "digital hub" covering the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer maker's achievements with updates of iTunes, iMovie, iPod and iDVD.

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The only aspect not covered specifically is the digital images category. Jobs says Apple is now fortifying its position with the release of iPhoto.

"In the digital world everyone can consume the media but not everyone can author it," says Jobs. "This is changing that."

The consumer friendly software is designed to act like an all-in-one digital shoebox, where you can import, edit, organize, and share photos. The free downloadable software also allows you to order online up to 20x30 size prints for $20 and even a 10-page book full of photos for as little as $29.

Showing great faith in its new operating system, Apple says its is pre-installing its Mac OSX.1 in every new unit shipped starting this week. Jobs reported that the number of OSX applications has skyrocketed from 500 to 2500 with 40 percent being released in the last month.

Jobs also praised the company's 27 retail stores with more expected this year. Apple says some 800,000 visitors browsed the new stores over the holidays.

On the educational side, Jobs was quick to point out that the state of Maine has purchased 36,000 of its iBooks to equip every 7th and 8th grade teacher and student with the laptops.