AST's New Ascentia 950N Pentium Notebook Pulls the Pieces of the Puzzle Together for a Complete Mobile Solution; New Docking Station Gives Users Multimedia Capabilities.IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 1995--Mobile PC users accustomed to either compromising on features and performance or paying a premium for them, can now hit the road with the power of a high-end desktop PC with AST (AST Computer, Irvine, CA) A PC manufacturer founded in 1980 by Albert Wong, Safi Quershey and Tom Yuen (A, S and T). It offered a complete line of PCs that sold through its dealer channel. Computer's new Pentium notebook. The Ascentia(TM) 950N, introduced today, is the newest star in the award-winning AST(R) Ascentia notebook computer A laptop computer that weighs in a range from five to seven pounds. The term originated when laptops were routinely more than 10 pounds, and those that became lighter were placed in a special "notebook" category. In practice, notebook computer and laptop computer are synonymous. family. "Unlike other notebook PCs that offer a single `silver bullet' feature, the Ascentia 950N is the most complete mobile PC solution available on the market today," said Chet Pribonic, AST vice president and general manager, mobile products. "Our customers clearly want the power that only a Pentium processor can deliver. They also want long battery life and the biggest and brightest screens available in an affordable and lightweight design The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. Please help [ improve the introduction] to meet Wikipedia's layout standards. You can discuss the issue on the talk page. -- we answered their wish list with the Ascentia 950N." Designed for the mainstream professional user, the Ascentia 950N delivers up to four hours of battery life, the industry's largest 10.4-inch high-resolution screens, 500MB, 800MB, or 1.2GB hard drives, and multimedia capabilities -- all without asking users to break the bank. The Ascentia 950N, available in June through AST's authorized resellers, has estimated street prices starting at $3,499. "AST has delivered a winning combination of performance and price with the introduction of the Ascentia 950N," said Stephen Nachtsheim, Intel's vice president and general manager of the Mobile and Handheld Products Group. "By combining the speed and performance of Intel's 75MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. Pentium(R) processor with key mobile features and functionality, AST is sending a message to mainstream mobile users that Pentium notebooks are affordable mobile solutions." The Desktop-Equivalent 950N Closes the Gap Between Desktops and Portables The 950N combines Intel's 75MHz Pentium processor with 256KB of Level 2 cache See L2 cache. level 2 cache - secondary cache memory, giving the already powerful processor a performance boost. Users can speed through graphics and processor-intensive applications, such as database or spreadsheet manipulation and multimedia presentations incorporating full motion video, sound and animation. Complementing the powerful processor are large removable 500MB, 800MB or 1.2GB hard drives and 8MB of RAM, expandable to 40MB. In addition, advanced VL 32-bit local bus video, 1MB of video RAM Also called "VRAM," it is the type of memory used in a display adapter. Video RAM is designed with dual ports so that it can simultaneously refresh the screen while text and images are drawn in memory. It is faster than the common DRAM or SDRAM chips used as main memory in the computer. and a graphics accelerator A display adapter that performs a specialized set of graphics functions to render an image on screen. Today, all display adapters provide basic rendering functions in hardware, but many have graphics processing units (GPUs) that are sophisticated computers. enable graphics intensive applications, such as multimedia presentations with full motion video, to run faster and smoother. The Ascentia 950N delivers up to four hours of battery life, taking full advantage of Sony's advanced lithium ion A rechargeable battery technology introduced in 1991 that provides greater charge per pound than nickel metal hydride. In 1993, Toshiba introduced the first notebook in the U.S. with a Li-ion battery. battery technology. In addition, AST's industry-recognized Advanced Power Management reacts to users' work styles, automatically powering down the hard drive and screen after periods of inactivity, significantly extending battery life and computing time. 10.4-inch High-Resolution Dual Scan Dual Scan, also known as dual-scan supertwist nematic or DSTN, is an LCD technology in which a screen is divided into two sections which are simultaneously refreshed giving faster refresh rate than traditional passive matrix screens. and TFT (Thin Film Transistor) The term typically refers to active matrix screens on laptop computers. Active matrix LCD provides a sharper screen display and broader viewing angle than does passive matrix. See LCD and thin film. TFT - Thin Film transistor Displays Provide More Viewing Area AST extends its performance advantage by offering the industry's largest color high-resolution screens on the market. The Ascentia 950N line incorporates either 10.4-inch Super VGA See VGA and PC display modes. Super VGA - Super Video Graphics Array TFT screens and Super VGA Dual-Scan STN (SuperTwisted Nematic) A passive matrix LCD technology that provides better contrast than twisted nematic (TN) by twisting the molecules from 180 to 270 degrees. See DSTN. screens from Hitachi and Sanyo. These high resolution screens display images in 800 x 600 pixel resolution pixel resolution Telemedicine The sharpness of a computerized image, based on pixel concentration, which determines display resolution , providing crisp, clear images. Users working with financial spreadsheets or graphics programs can actually see 56 percent more text, image or spreadsheet columns than on the same size screen with 640 x 480 resolution. Expanded Mode Lets Graphics and Video Fill Entire Screen Without Black Border Multimedia developers and avid Doom(TM) game-players will appreciate the 950N's ability to play video or display graphic programs in expanded mode, allowing 640 x 480 images to completely fill the 800 x 600 screen. Other high-resolution displays rim the images with a one-inch black border, wasting 64 percent of the screen size. Multimedia Capabilities/Support AST continues to provide complete mobile solutions to all users by offering multimedia capabilities without the added cost, weight or battery drain associated with integrated CD-ROM drives CD-ROM drives, which today typically means a CD-RW drive that is a combo CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW drive, come in a variety of speeds. The original drive (1x) transferred data at 150KB per second. . Embedded Creative Labs' Sound Blaster A very popular family of sound cards from Creative Labs. In the days of DOS, Sound Blaster was the de facto interface for gaming sounds. Monaural Sound Blaster cards were introduced in 1989, and stereo cards followed in 1992 (Sound Blaster Pro). (R). Vibra 16 hardware allows users to incorporate .WAV and MIDI audio functions in almost any file or document, and voice, music and sound effects sound effects Noun, pl sounds artificially produced to make a play, esp. a radio play, more realistic sound effects npl → efectos mpl sonoros can be recorded through the built-in microphone. A large 36mm single speaker provides high-quality unamplified sound, and audio line in/out ports allow the 950N to be connected to external stereo sound systems or a CD-ROM drive A device that holds and reads CD-ROM discs. CD-ROM drives generally also play audio CD discs by sending analog sound to the sound card via a 4-pin cable. For specifications of 10x, 20x, etc. drives, see CD-ROM drives. See CD-ROM, CD-ROM changer, CD-ROM server and CD-ROM audio cable. . By using the Cirrus logic video controller with its imbedded video capabilities, .AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) A Windows multimedia video format from Microsoft. It interleaves standard waveform audio and digital video frames (bitmaps) to provide reduced animation at 15 fps at 160x120x8 resolution. Audio is 11,025Hz, 8-bit samples. files can be played back at unprecedented speed, significantly reducing the number of dropped frames. The 950N allows sales, service and training professionals to interweave full-motion .AVI video files with music, effects or voice-overs to create mesmerizing mes·mer·ize tr.v. mes·mer·ized, mes·mer·iz·ing, mes·mer·iz·es 1. To spellbind; enthrall: "He could mesmerize an audience by the sheer force of his presence" presentations. New ProStation Docking Station also Available in a Multimedia Configuration AST's new ProStation(TM) docking station is available for customers who use their Ascentia 950N as a desktop replacement in the office and want the convenience of easily connecting their notebook to a local area network or additional peripherals such as printers, external keyboards or monitors. The new docking station supports Windows 95 plug and play with warm docking, allowing users to dock or undock while in suspend mode. Additional features include Teflon coated guiderails for manual VCR-style insertion and a large platform stand that will support a 100-pound monitor. For users requiring multimedia capabilities in the office, ProStation is also available in a multimedia configuration, incorporating an integrated quad-speed enhanced IDE CD-ROM drive, two eight-watt AC-powered speakers, Creative Labs microphone and Sound Blaster Vibra 16-bit audio card and all accompanying Sound Blaster applications. Professionals can use the multimedia docking station to install CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). based software, view CD-ROM titles, and develop multimedia presentations. ProStation and ProStation Multimedia are compatible with all of AST's Ascentia high-performance notebooks, including the 900N and 910N. The estimated selling price for ProStation is $549 and $749 for ProStation Multimedia. Full Sized Keyboard Design Actually Helps Dissipate Heat AST has incorporated a new heat dissipation design (patent pending) into the Ascentia 950N, solving thermal issues associated with the faster processor and eliminating the need for a cooling fan. A heat sink connected to a copper pipe funnels the heat to the aluminum backing of the full size keyboard. A natural conductor of heat, the aluminum backing quickly cools and dissipates the warmer temperature generated by the Pentium processor. The Ascentia 950N weighs just over six pounds, and the integrated SmartPoint trackstick gives users a comfortable keyboard design. Infrared Communications Gives Users Easiest Way Yet to Send and Receive Data The 950N lets users communicate through wired and wireless connections. Built-in infrared communications lets users send and receive data or print to other infrared-equipped devices without cluttered wires and cable connections. Users simply point the notebook at the receiving equipment and input the appropriate commands. An adapter is available so users can use their Ascentia 950N with desktops, notebooks and printers that do not have infrared capabilities. In addition, compatibility with more than 300 optional PC cards allows users to expand storage, take advantage of multimedia sound cards and CD-ROM drives, dial into on-line services, link into the office network, fax memos and check their electronic mail. In addition, the 950N comes pre-loaded with a host of mobile-centric and multimedia software, some of which include: Delrina's WinFax and COMit LITE, ConnectSoft's E-Mail Connection, OAG OAG Office of the Attorney General OAG Office of the Auditor General (of Canada) OAG Official Airline Guide OAG Open-Angle Glaucoma OAG Open Application Group OAG Operational Advisory Group Flight Disk, Microsoft's RunTime Video for Windows The name of Microsoft's first video playback implementation in Windows. Supporting the AVI movie format, Video for Windows (VfW) was installed separately in Windows 3.x, but was later built into Windows 95 and subsequent versions. and starter kits for America Online, Prodigy and CompuServe online services. Worldwide Service and Support The Ascentia 950N is covered by a worldwide three-year limited warranty Limited warranty A warranty with certain conditions and limitations on the parts covered, type of damage covered, and/or time period for which the agreement is good. , giving users the flexibility and convenience of having their notebook computer serviced throughout the world. Users who purchase and service their Ascentia 950N notebook in the United States will receive AST's free 48-hour rapid repair service, ExeCare Plus(SM), for the first year. Years two and three are covered by a carry-in warranty. They may also choose to upgrade their warranty through ExeCare Plus' 24-hour replacement program. AST's Authorized Service Centers also offer state-of-the-art service programs. International customers are serviced on a carry-in basis by any of the authorized AST Service Providers located in more than 30 countries around the world. Service may vary according to the warranty terms of each country. Upgrade programs are also available outside the United States. Corporate Background AST Research Inc., a member of the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial and service companies, is one of the world's leading personal computer manufacturers. The $2.367 billion company develops PC products ranging from portable systems to superservers sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone: 714/727-4141 or 800/876-4278. Fax: 714/727-9355. -0- Note to Editors: AST is a registered trademark and Ascentia and ProStation are trademarks of AST Research Inc. ExeCare Plus is a service mark of AST Research Inc. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Sound Blaster is a trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Doom is a trademark of id Software. All other products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. CONTACT: AST Research Inc. Ruth Rosene, 714/727-7961 (Media) Misty Ohmart, 714/727-7728 (Analyst) |
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