Apple Bestows Holiday Presents Early

Apple Computer Inc. cut recommended prices an average of 15 percent on six desktop computers Friday, aiming for more sales during the busiest period of the year.

The cuts ranged from 8 to 25 percent, with the deepest to older models. Two Power Macintosh 7200 models, which have been on sale just since August, were cut 8 percent to 11 percent.

The move comes at what some analysts say is an unusual time - early in the holiday season - and may be a sign of price pressure on Apple. However, a company spokeswoman said they were part of the normal pattern of periodic discounting driven by improvements in chip technology.

“This was a planned, routine pricing cut,” spokeswoman Linda Goncalves said. “It’s not something that’s a result of any sales or inventory trouble.”