iBook, Kihei to Ship with \"Borg\"-Based OS

Apple's recently-announced Consumer Portable, iBook, and the up-coming major redesign of their iMac personal computer, code-named Kihei, will have a number of things in common. Each will be the first of its kind to sport internals based on Apple's New Single Unified Common Architecture and will function via Apple's New World Design.

Secondly, sources claim that both units will ship with versions of the Mac OS based on "Borg," developed, literally, during nights in Cupertino. Borg is the collection of new core system software that enables Apple's new architecture and chipset to function properly.

The Mac OS version that will ship on the iBook will be based on the Borg core, rather than on Veronica (the code-name for Mac OS 8.6), and will include pieces of Sonata (Mac OS 9.0). On more than one occasion, these Borg system software sets have been referred to as Mac "OS 8.6.1" to developers — but there is a clear distinction between the two.

Word from reliable sources is that Kihei will also ship with a version of the Mac OS based on Borg and pieces of Sonata, rather than on the full-blown Mac OS 9.0. In short, the release will combine the guts of Borg with all the innovative consumer aspects of Sonata — such as the new "Hot Keys" functions — all wrapped together in a brand new package.

During July's Macworld expo, we published an inside look at some of the new features of the Mac OS software that would ship on the iBook. At the time, the release was still labeled "Mac OS 8.6." This does not necessarily mean that the shipping version won't reflect the incremental version number, even though this may cause confusion among users.

The full-blown Mac OS 9.0 installer is said to boast full support for Borg-based systems, for those users who choose to upgrade immediately. A Mac OS 8.6.1 (Borg) system is not expected to be released independently of the version shipping on these new products.