AST eliminates the price vs. performance choice with enhanced Ascentia P50 notebook computer.IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1996-- Multimedia-ready Ascentia P50 is outfitted with mega memory, larger display and a host of feature-smart extras for the value-conscious user Editor's Summary: -- The updated high-performance Ascentia P50 comes with a 133MHz (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. Intel Pentium processor, 12.1-inch SVGA (Super VGA) A screen resolution of 800x600 pixels. Third-party vendors extended IBM's VGA display standard and were the first to use the term. SVGA has also referred to 1,024x768 resolutions. See PC display modes. Active Matrix screen, 24MB standard EDO RAM (Extended Data Out RAM) A earlier dynamic RAM chip that improved the performance of fast page mode (FPM) memory in the mid-1990s. As a subset of fast page mode, it could be substituted for page mode chips. , 1.0GB or 2.1GB removable hard drive, and has an integrated 28.8 kbps data/fax modem, modular 6X 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. and built-in, 16-bit 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). audio and dual stereo speakers. -- Desktop power and functionality are achieved with 256KB level 2 cache, 32-bit PCI (1) (Payment Card Industry) See PCI DSS. (2) (Peripheral Component Interconnect) The most widely used I/O bus (peripheral bus). local bus architecture, 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. , simultaneous external monitor support and an optional Mini Dock port replicator See port replicator. replicator - Any construct that acts to produce copies of itself; this could be a living organism, an idea (see meme), a program (see quine, worm, wabbit, fork bomb, and virus), a pattern in a cellular automaton (see life), or (speculatively) a robot or for the immediate convenience of desktop peripherals. -- Now shipping, the Ascentia P50 offers premium performance at a mid-range price, starting at only $4,199 and carries a 3-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. . Making a good thing even better, 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 on Monday introduced the enhanced Ascentia P50 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. , offering premium performance and indispensable features at a phenomenal price. Ideal for on-the-go professionals that require desktop performance as well as powerful processing and presentation capabilities, the highly acclaimed Ascentia P50 now has a larger display, 6X 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). , integrated 28.8 Kbps fax/data modem and increased standard base memory. Available now, the estimated street price for the Ascentia P50 starts at $4,199 in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . "AST was one of the first PC manufacturers to bring the Pentium 133MHz processor-based notebook to the market," explained Mark Marlow, director, mobile product marketing for AST Computer. "Now, in its second phase, the high-performance Ascentia P50 still provides outstanding power, but packs in cutting-edge features at a price point that is unbeatable. Customers no longer have to choose between price or performance -- they now get the best of both worlds with the Ascentia P50." AST designed the Ascentia P50 for professionals that require power, flexibility and multimedia capabilities for a variety of on-the-job tasks, but also need to stay within their company's budget. And, knowing that today's mobile professional can often work beyond the normal "9-to-5," the Ascentia P50 is the ultimate day-extender, easily taking you from the boardroom to the home office. This new notebook is a powerful tool for those with multiple work sites, such as customer locations, the field office and home. Ascentia P Series Just Keeps Getting Better and Better Affordability, portability and flexibility are all yours with the enhanced Ascentia P Series. The refined Ascentia P50 packs a 133MHz Intel Pentium processor, a generous 12.1-inch Super VGA active matrix color display and 24MB standard EDO RAM, expandable to 40MB. This lightweight powerhouse also offers a 1.0GB or 2.1GB removable hard drive, providing ample storage space for software applications and additional graphics and audio files. Users can 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. operating systems. Multimedia To Go Mobile presentations on the road or in the office never looked as good as they do with the Super VGA resolution offered on the Ascentia P50. Comparable to a desktop monitor, the Super VGA panel displays as much as 56 percent more information than on comparable VGA (Video Graphics Array) The display standard for the PC. All PC display adapters support VGA, and Windows machines boot up in "VGA mode" before switching to higher resolutions. screens, making it ideal for users who work with graphics-intensive applications. Video clips, multimedia programs and even the latest games look and sound incredible with the Ascentia P50's support of software-based 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). and built-in 16-bit Sound Blaster audio and dual stereo speakers. The Ascentia P50 notebook computer provides top performance and on-the-go flexibility with AST's own SmartBay, which lets you switch between a high-speed 6X CD-ROM drive, floppy drive or second lithium-ion battery. Advanced Integrated Communications Mobile users will never feel alone on the road again. Connection to the home office or the corporate network is a snap with the Ascentia P50's quick 28.8 Kbps integrated data/fax modem. E-mail and Internet access is achievable in the blink of an eye. Also keeping you in connection is Traveling Software's Laplink, which allows for remote access via modem for easy data synchronization with a desktop computer. To print or transfer files without wires, the Ascentia P50 sports an infrared port that may be used with compatible devices. Desktop-level Performance Recognizing that customers use their notebook computer as a desktop replacement in the home as well as in the office, AST has packed in many of the best desktop technologies into the Ascentia P50. Along with the fast Intel Pentium processors, the Ascentia P50 comes with 256KB level-2 cache for up to 25 percent faster performance. This enhanced notebook also uses the leading 32-bit PCI local bus I/O (Input/Output) The transfer of data between the CPU and a peripheral device. Every transfer is an output from one device and an input to another. See PC input/output. I/O - Input/Output architecture, that matches the speed of the bus to the processor. Coupled with high-bandwidth EDO memory, these systems blaze. The Ascentia P50 enables users to have the same ease-of-use as with a desktop when combined with the optional Mini Dock port replicator. This small connecting unit duplicates the ports of the Ascentia P50 notebook, but remains on your desk, pre-connected to a PC monitor, mouse, external keyboard and printer. For easy expandability and convenience, the Mini Dock has two PC Card slots, and includes an AC adapter and external floppy adapter. With a 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. Ethernet card inserted in one of the Mini Dock slots, connection to the network is achieved by simply inserting the portable into the Mini Dock. Taking full advantage of Windows 95 plug-and-play functionality, the Ascentia P50 also allows hot docking. When you sit down to work, just make one connection to all the devices by attaching your notebook. A quick disconnect and you're completely mobile again. 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 714/727-4141 or 800/876-4278. Fax 714/727-9355. 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 is a registered trademark and Ascentia , ExpressONE and ExeCarePlus are trademarks of AST Research Inc. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corp. SoundBlaster is aregistered trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. ExeCarePlus is a servicemark of AST. All other product or service names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. CONTACT: AST Research Inc., Irvine Camerone Welch-Thorson, 714/727-8858 camerone.welch-thorson@ast.com or The Benjamin Group Inc. Lisa M. Zwick, 714/727-7961 lzwick@oc.tbgi.com |
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