AST establishes value performance leadership with new Ascentia 810N notebook; AST delivers the best value notebook computer with the largest color display and most powerful processor in its class.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 1995--The price/ performance tradeoff in notebook computing has just been eliminated with AST Computer's introduction of the Ascentia 810N value notebook computer.

Mobile professionals can now get true performance computing with the most powerful processor available today in a value notebook computer. This performance, combined with the largest viewing area on a value notebook propels the AST Ascentia 810N and its users into the next dimension of value computing.

With estimated street prices starting at $2,499, the Ascentia 810N opens the realm of performance computing to a new set of mobile professionals. Never before have mobile professionals had access to such an extensive combination of best-of-class features in a value notebook to handle a broad base of applications ranging from sales force automation to database processing and storage-intensive graphics presentations.

"The Ascentia 810N will change the way people view `value computing,'" stated Chet Pribonic, AST vice president and general manager, mobile products. "The Ascentia 810N's combination of processing power and ease of use far exceeds any preconceived notions of value computing."

Raising the Performance Bar in Value Notebooks

Based on the award-winning Ascentia 800N, the Ascentia 810N elevates value computing, out-performing other notebooks in its class. Its breakthrough performance comes from a Cyrix DX2/66MHz microprocessor with 8KB of Level 1 write-back cache and Western Digital's RocketCHIP local bus hardware graphics accelerator. The Ascentia 810N executes applications more than 30 percent faster than typical DX2/50MHz notebooks.

With Cyrix's unique Level 1 write-back cache architecture, information is written to and from the cache memory, leaving the processor free to operate at maximum performance. While transparent to the user, this process enhances system performance dramatically. Storing data-rich information is also a snap with large-capacity 250MB, 340MB and 510MB hard drives.

The performance advantage continues with the largest color display in a notebook in its size and weight, coupled with an ergonomic keyboard-forward design with a large 19mm integrated center-mounted trackball. Raising the bar in value notebooks, the Ascentia 810N has the largest viewing area of any value notebook -- 20 percent larger than 9.5-inch displays -- with a bright, crisp 10.4-inch Dual-Scan STN color LCD display. Microsoft Windows and IBM OS/2 graphical user interfaces are easier than ever to read on the Ascentia 810N.

The Mobile Professional's Traveling Solution

A removable floppy disk drive can be replaced with a second Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery, doubling battery life to give traveling executives up to six hours of non-stop performance. Coast-to-coast computing time, combined with its sleek 5.9-pound design make the Ascentia 810N a great traveling workhorse.

AST continues its commitment to delivering true mobile solutions with a host of pre-loaded mobile-centric software. With an optional credit-card size PCMCIA modem, Ascentia 810N users can download files from their office PC, read electronic mail and monitor stock prices, simply by connecting to a traditional land line telephone or cellular phone, giving them the power to stay connected wherever their work takes them.

In addition to MS-DOS and Windows, the Ascentia 810N comes pre-loaded with:

-- Lotus Organizer provides an on-screen calendar, to-do list,

planner, address book and notepad rolled into one easy-to-use

package.

-- ConnectSoft E-Mail Connection is a universal e-mail interface

that simultaneously routes information to multiple public e-mail

systems and LAN-based networks. It is ideal for travelers using

multiple e-mail services.

-- Traveling Software LapLink Remote Access gives mobile users

full access to data files located on their desktop computers,

networked disk drives and printers.

-- Delrina WinFax and COMit LITE make it easy for mobile users

to send, receive and manage faxes or data files right from their

notebook computer.

-- Prodigy, America Online and CompuServe starter kits.

Worldclass Service and Support

The best value keeps getting better with one of the industry's most comprehensive service and support programs. All Ascentia notebooks are covered by a worldwide three-year limited warranty, giving users the flexibility and convenience of having their notebook computer serviced throughout the world.

Users who purchase and service their Ascentia notebooks 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 excellent service programs.

International customers will be 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. is ranked number 287 on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial companies and is one of the world's leading personal computer manufacturers. The company develops PC products ranging from portable systems to superservers. AST, a $2.367 billion company, is represented in 100 countries and operates 43 subsidiaries and sales offices worldwide. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. -0-

Note to Editors: AST is a registered trademark and Ascentia is a trademark of AST Research Inc. ExeCare Plus is a service mark of AST Research Inc. Cyrix is a registered trademark of Cyrix Corp. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corp. Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.

OS/2 is a registered trademark of IBM Corp. Lotus is a registered trademark of Lotus Development Corp. CompuServe is a registered service mark of CompuServe Inc. Prodigy is a registered trademark of Prodigy Services Corp. America Online is a registered trademark of America Online Inc. WinFax is a registered trademark of Delrina Technologies.

All other products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: AST Research Inc., Irvine

Donna Kather, 714/727-7943

or Ruth Rosene, 714/727-7961