AST corrects warranty information in release issued Sept. 25.IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 1995--AST Computer Monday announced a new Pentium 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. , the Ascentia 950N/90, one of the industry's first mobile products to ship with Windows 95. o Faster 90MHz (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. processor doesn't mean shorter battery life. Travelers will appreciate carrying only a single battery for 4 to 6 hours of computing time. o One of the industry's first products to ship with Windows 95, the Ascentia 950N/90 takes full advantage of the new operating system's special mobile features. o Starting at $3,999, AST's Ascentia 950N/90 incorporates all of the award-winning features of its predecessor, the Ascentia 950N/75, including high resolution displays, 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. batteries, 1.2 GB hard drives, 16-bit audio and multimedia capabilities. o Ideally suited for presentations, the 950N/90 incorporates advanced 32-bit graphics technology, allowing users to play full-motion video Video transmission that changes the image 30 frames per second (30 fps). Motion pictures are run at 24 fps, which is the minimum frequency required to eliminate the perception of moving frames and make the images appear visually fluid to the eye. on their notebooks. The new notebook combines Intel's most powerful mobile Pentium See Pentium M. processor, the P54LM-90, with 256KB of Level 2 cache See L2 cache. level 2 cache - secondary cache memory for maximum performance, while still delivering 4 to 6 hours of computing time from a single battery. The Ascentia 950N/90 will be available in October through AST's authorized resellers, with estimated street prices starting at $3,999. "The Ascentia 950N/90 builds upon the award-winning feature set of the 950N/75, bringing added performance to mobile users with the powerful combination of Intel's fastest mobile processor and Microsoft's Windows 95," said Chet Pribonic, AST's vice president, products division. "The 950N/90 was designed to give users the full potential of both these advanced technologies." For those not yet ready to migrate to Windows 95, the Ascentia 950N/90 ships with a dual-install option, allowing users to choose between Windows 95 or Windows for Workgroups A version of Windows 3.1 introduced in 1992 that added peer-to-peer networking. See Windows. (operating system) Windows for Workgroups - (WFW, WFWG) A version of Windows 3.1 which works with a network. Although stand-alone 3. . The operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. not chosen will then be deleted. 950N/90 Users Actually Gain Longer Battery Life with Intel's Faster Processor Ascentia 950N/90 customers will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the system's faster 90MHz processor doesn't mean living with short battery life. Intel's P54LM 90 MHz chip has a 2.9 core voltage, and thus uses less power than the P54 75MHz processor. To maximize battery life with the lower power chip, the watt hours on the lithium ion battery were increased from 40.4 watt-hours to 43.5. The combination of the lower core voltage on the faster chip combined with the greater density on the battery means users will enjoy 4 to 6 hours of uninterrupted battery life from a single charge -- astounding a·stound tr.v. a·stound·ed, a·stound·ing, a·stounds To astonish and bewilder. See Synonyms at surprise. [From Middle English astoned, past participle of astonen, for a Pentium notebook with a large 10.4-inch high-resolution 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 display. Travelers will appreciate only carrying one battery, unlike some manufacturers which require users to carry an extra battery for coast-to-coast battery life. In addition, AST's new "patent-pending" constant power charger allows for faster charging when the system is on. 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. was an early adopter of lithium ion, which is the most advanced battery technology available to mobile users today. They are 30-percent lighter and deliver up to 30-percent more energy per cubic inch Noun 1. cubic inch - the volume equal to a cube one inch on each side cu in capacity measure, capacity unit, cubage unit, cubature unit, cubic content unit, cubic measure, displacement unit, volume unit - a unit of measurement of volume or capacity than nickel metal hydride (NiMH) A rechargeable battery technology that has approximately 30-50% more charge per pound than nickel cadmium. Introduced in the early 1990s, it uses nickel and metal hydride plates with potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte. . The long-lasting battery combined with AST's patented Advanced Power Management has consistently set industry standards for notebook battery life. In addition, Ascentia notebooks have won a number of industry awards based on their exceptionally long battery life, outlasting other notebooks by hours. Windows 95 Pre-Installed on Ascentia 950N/90, Gives Users Increased Mobility and Ease of Use One of the industry's first mobile products to ship with Windows 95, the Ascentia 950N/90 makes working from the road easier than ever, taking full advantage of the new operating system's special mobile features. Increased compatibility with peripherals, remote access, file synchronization File synchronization (or 'synching') in computing is the process of making sure that two or more locations contain the same up-to-date files. If you add, change, or delete a file from one location, the synchronization process will add, change, or delete the same file at the other and warm-docking are just a few of the mobile benefits of Windows 95. Increased Hardware Compatibility through Plug and Play The industry's first mobile-centric operating system, Windows 95 does an excellent job of supporting plug and play architecture through automatic recognition and configuration of inserted PC Cards. With support for 11 different PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, San Jose, CA, www.pcmcia.org) An international standards body and trade association that was founded in 1989 to establish a standard for connecting peripherals to portable computers. PCMCIA created the PC Card. See PC Card. chipsets, customers will find that Windows 95 eliminates configuration hassles, and can easily recognize a card one day, and a different card the next. Accessing a Remote Network Easier Than Ever Mobile users will also find that remote network access from the road is a breeze with Windows 95, with its support for PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) The most popular method for transporting IP packets over a serial link between the user and the ISP. Developed in 1994 by the IETF and superseding the SLIP protocol, PPP establishes the session between the user's computer and the ISP using and Windows NT (Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. NT is the core technology in Windows 2000 and Windows XP (see Windows). Available in separate client and server versions, it includes built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. Remote Access Server connections. Office and Mobile Files Easily Kept in Sync Win 95's Briefcase feature automatically updates older files when mobile users hook back into the network. This task is made even easier with the 950N/90's infrared capabilities, which lets users communicate wirelessly to desktops, other notebooks or printers. Synchronizing files between a notebook and a desktop can be done in a few easy steps; users simply point the notebook at the desktop and "drag and drop A graphical user interface (GUI) capability that lets you perform operations by moving the icon of an object with the mouse into another window or onto another icon. For example, files can be copied or moved by dragging them from one folder to another. " the appropriate files. An adapter is available from AST for use with desktops that do not have infrared capabilities. ProStation Docking Station supports Windows 95's Plug and Play Capabilities with Warm Docking AST's ProStation 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. ProStation supports plug and play with warm docking, allowing users to dock or undock while in suspend mode. When inserted into ProStation, the notebook will automatically recognize and configure the hardware in the docking station, such as a tape backup drive or 16-bit ISA (1) (Instruction Set Architecture) See instruction set. (2) (Interactive Services Association) See Internet Alliance. (3) (Internet Security and Acceleration) See .NET. adapter. ProStation is also available in a multimedia configuration, which includes 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. Full motion video for multimedia presentations Ideally suited for presentations with brilliant 10.4-inch high-resolution TFT displays, the 950N/90 also incorporates advanced 32-bit graphics technology, allowing users to play full-motion video on their notebooks. Corporate videos or product demos that used to be reserved for VHS (Video Home System) A half-inch, analog videocassette recorder (VCR) format introduced by JVC in 1976 to compete with Sony's Betamax, introduced a year earlier. tape can now be integrated into a dynamic and compelling multimedia presentation. Users who choose Windows for Workgroups as their operating system can take advantage of this feature by saving video clips into a video file format, incorporating them into a Power Point presentation, and then playing them directly from the 950N/90's 1.2 GB hard drive -- which will play video faster than a CD-ROM drive. These benefits are accomplished through an integrated hardware solution on the video chipset called Motion Video Acceleration (MVA MVA abbr. motor vehicle accident MVA Motor vehicular/vehicle accident, see there ), which allows for high-quality MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) An ISO/ITU standard for compressing digital video. Pronounced "em-peg," it is the universal standard for digital terrestrial, cable and satellite TV, DVDs and digital video recorders (DVRs). video playback that runs smoother and faster than software-only or PC-card based solutions. In addition, it is a more cost-effective method than MPEG hardware, while providing the same capabilities. MVA also allows for a video box playing on top of the main Windows screen to play at color depths up to 64K colors, while the Windows screen around the video is still configured and operating at 256 colors. In addition, a special feature allows these video clips to be doubled to 640 x 480 pixel resolution pixel resolution Telemedicine The sharpness of a computerized image, based on pixel concentration, which determines display resolution without decreasing frame rates, while still playing in full motion and full color. The Ascentia 950N/90 Incorporates the Award-Winning Features of the Ascentia 950N/75 "AST customers will continue to find all of the premium features found on the 950N/75, including high resolution displays, lithium ion batteries, 1.2 GB hard drives, 16-bit audio, and multimedia capabilities. Our first Pentium notebook, the Ascentia 950N/75 has been such a smash hit with our customers, that we've enhanced this award-winning notebook to bring even greater performance to the mobile user," said Greg Geary, AST's director of mobile computing marketing. AST's commitment to providing the best balance of features and performance at an aggressive price have won Ascentia notebooks 15 industry awards since January 1995. Most recently, Dwight Silverman of the Houston Chronicle said AST's first Pentium notebook, the 950N/75, was one of the best notebook machines he's ever used, that it was affordable and a real bargain. In addition, the 950N/75 was honored in the September issue of Mobile Office magazine with a First Class Award in a comparison review of notebooks with Super VGA displays. AST's 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. model beat out the competition's top-of-the line TFT models, based on its overall functionality and winning combination of features. 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. 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. Upgrade programs are also available outside the United States, and service may vary according to the warranty terms of each country. 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 $2.468 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. 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. Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Sound Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. All other products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. NOTE TO EDITORS: Photography and technical specs available upon request. CONTACT: Ruth Rosene AST Research Inc. 714/727-7961 ruth.rosene@ast.com |
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