AST debuts latest Advantage! Lifestyle PC revealing the most complete communications solution for the home; AST is among the first to bundle an analog camera with Intel's Intercast technology and Video Phone, allowing users to video conference, watch TV and surf the Internet.

IRVINE, Calif--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 1996--Debuting the latest addition to the Advantage! fall consumer PC line-up, AST Computer (NASDAQ:ASTA) on Tuesday announced the availability of its Advantage! 9312 Communications PC.

One of the first PC manufacturers to bundle a complete communications solution using Intel's Video Phone and Intercast technology, the Advantage! 9312 includes an analog camera, giving users a whole new gamut of video, audio and data communications experiences.

These tools allow users to see and hear family and friends up- close and personal, experience the rich programming of TV and explore the exciting world of the Internet. The Advantage! 9312 is competitively priced at $2,599.

"The combination of the Intel Intercast technology and the Intel Video Phone on the AST Advantage! PC is an example of how the convergence of Internet, video and TV broadcast data is providing the home user with a whole new spectrum of multimedia experiences," said Lorie Wigle, consumer client marketing director, Intel Internet and communications group.

Market research indicates that more than three million home computers will be outfitted with video technology by 1998, a significant increase from the 1.75 million estimate predicted for 1997, according to Telespan Publishing Corp., of Altadena, Calif. This prediction supports the trend that video communications is one of the largest growth segments within the consumer PC market.

"The Advantage! line-up demonstrates how AST has delivered a solutions-oriented approach for the consumer and our `visual society' by supporting the trend toward customized systems for a diverse set of consumer interests and lifestyles," explained Terry Baker, director of marketing for AST's worldwide consumer products.

"By integrating video and communications capabilities into one system, the Advantage! 9312 makes face-to-face interaction with family, friends and associates as easy as talking on the phone."

Packed With Leading-Edge Technologies

The Advantage! 9312 Communications PC is equipped with a powerful Intel 166MHz Pentium processor, large 2.5GB hard drive and 32MB RAM to provide the speed, performance and processing power that communications users expect. Among the first-to-market hardware and software enhancements included are:

Intel Video Phone: With Intel Video Phone technology and the bundled analog color video camera, the Advantage! 9312 PC enables far away family members to share special occasions face-to-face, making celebrations even more meaningful. In addition, Video Phone can capture a high resolution snapshot of the person to whom you are talking during the video call, which can then be stored for future reference. AST's Video Phone bundle not only receives video conferenced information but allows the consumer to send information as well.

Intel Intercast Technology: Communications savvy users will also appreciate Intel Intercast technology, which combines the power of the PC, topical broadcast from television and information from the Internet. Intercast technology allows for the simultaneous display of HTML-formatted information and television broadcasts utilizing the Intercast TV/cable signal available through a local cable provider. This feature allows users watching CNN, for example, to download information on the topic that is being broadcast, either to be reviewed immediately or to save and read later.

Analog Color Camera: Bundled as a standard feature with the Advantage! 9312 is a color analog camera which completes the Intel Communications Solution. The camera has a low profile advanced style and can be located on top of the monitor, giving a 64 degree angle of view. It features flicker fee operation under 50Hz and 60Hz fluorescent lighting, giving the consumer a clear picture of the person they are speaking with during a video phone conversation.

Infrared Remote Control and Receiver: Ease-of-use is an important feature to consumers and AST addresses that need by providing remote control access on the Advantage! 9312. With the touch of a button, consumers can remotely change the television channel, increase the volume of their speakers or access their CD-ROM drive, all from the comfort of their chair.

Digital Simultaneous Voice Data (DSVD) 28.8 Modem: The DSVD modem features 28.8 kbps transmission speed to provide digitally produced voice data for fast, real-time communications and information sharing by multiple users. For example, a parent working at the office can help a child at home edit a term paper via their PC while simultaneously speaking to each other.

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 a broad spectrum of desktop, mobile and server PC products that are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide.

AST systems meet a wide range of customer needs, from corporate business applications to advanced home and home office use. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone [phone] or 800/876-4278. Fax [phone]. Service and support, technical specs and other information about AST's products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.ast.com. -0-

NOTE: AST and Advantage! are registered trademarks and AST- LifeLine is a trademark of AST Research Inc. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks and Intercast is a trademark of Intel Corp. VoiceView is a registered trademark and TalkShop is a trademark of Radish Communications Systems Inc.

Prodigy is a registered trademark of Prodigy Service Corp. America Online is a registered trademark of America Online Inc. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc. All other products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photography and technical specs are available upon request. Technical specifications can also be found on AST's Web site, http://www.ast.com, under the section titled Press Releases.

CONTACT: AST Research, Irvine

Morag Rich, 714/727-7493

[e-mail]

or

Camerone Welch-Thorson, 714/727-8858

[e-mail]