Acer America provides Aspire computers to SeniorNet Centers around the country; Aspire's advanced communications and ease of use features are ideal for active seniors becoming computer literate and using the Internet.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 1995--To ensure today's seniors are able to surf the Internet with their friends in Sun City, communicate with their grandchildren online, explore web sites of interest and voice their opinions to their congressional representatives, Acer America Corporation has teamed with the Intel Corporation to provide SeniorNet Learning Centers around the country with the Acer Aspire, the easy to use and technology-rich emerald-green and charcoal-gray personal computers.

Ideal for the novice computer user, the Acer Aspire takes ease of use to a new level by incorporating an intuitive user interface with a friendly design, inviting colors, a five minute/ten step set-up program, 50 pre-loaded software programs, Microsoft Windows 95, Pentium chips, and voice activation. Integrated high quality speakers and microphone, a full duplex speaker phone and answering machine complete the package and place this computer firmly in the realm of other familiar consumer electronics products in the home.

Twenty SeniorNet Learning Centers will receive a total of 100 Pentium processor-based Aspires in November and December of this year. Initial Centers to receive the Aspires are located in San Jose, CA, Bellevue, WA, St. Louis, MO, Nashville, TN, Springfield and Northfield, IL, Rockville, MD, New York, NY, Forest Hills, NY, and Smyrna, GA. SeniorNet is a non-profit group founded in 1986 with a mission to build a national community of computer-using seniors.

Over 75 centers currently exist in the U.S. and have served more than 65,000 members. The SeniorNet member is an intellectually active adult 55 to 101 who is interested in attending computer literacy and multimedia classes and receiving the benefits of the Information Age at the Centers.

"The profile of the SeniorNet member is a perfect match for the retiree audience we are trying to reach with Aspire marketing," noted Marlene Williamson, vice president of marketing for Acer America Corporation. "We are excited to make this commitment to SeniorNet and with our partners at Intel to spread the benefits of computing and on-line communication to a broader segment of the American public. The Aspire will make the transition to cyberspace not just painless but actually fun for the novice user."

"One problem we've been attempting to solve at the SeniorNet Learning Centers is the obsolescence of the computer systems that have been a result of the continuing evolution of PC technology," said Mary Furlong, President and Founder of SeniorNet. "Therefore we are very grateful to Acer America for their support in the Intel purchase of Pentium processor-based Acer Aspire systems as part of Intel's donations. SeniorNet members are eager to take advantage of the new multimedia capabilities now available to them. And the Acer Aspires look beautiful in the Centers."

Ronald Chwang, President and CEO of Acer America sees the partnership with SeniorNet as supportive of Acer's mission. "Acer is committed to bringing the freshest technology to the broadest possible range of consumers. Computing technology has got to be easy and enjoyable to use. We are proud that our Aspires will be a part of SeniorNet and will help introduce these active adults to wealth of information on-line."

SeniorNet members are expected to use their Pentium 75 MHz Acer Aspires to trace genealogical trees, start home businesses, plan finances, manage investment portfolios, do banking, research the latest health and medical data, stay in touch with grandchildren and write memoirs. Acer Aspires come with a complete communications package already pre-loaded that includes Netcruiser Internet Access Software, Netscape Navigator, Prodigy, America Online, CompuServe, ImagiNation! Network, Reuters Money Network and a rich telephony suite.

For more information on SeniorNet Learning Centers call 1-800-747-6848 or write [e-mail].

Acer America Corporation

Acer America Corporation (http://www.acer.com/aac/), headquartered in San Jose, Calif., designs and manufactures a broad range of computer systems and peripherals. Award-winning product offerings include AcerNote notebooks, AcerPower and AcerEntra desktop business computers, the AcerAltos line of open servers, AcerView monitors, and the recently introduced Acer Aspire for the home. The Acer Computer Explorer and Out-of-Box Experience demonstrate Acer's commitment to make PCs as easy to use as other consumer electronics products. A subsidiary of the $3.2 billion Acer Group, Acer America posted revenues of $932 million for the first three quarters of 1995. -0-

Note to Editors: Acer is a registered trademark and AcerNote, AcerPower, AcerView, AcerAltos, Acer Aspire and AcerEntra are trademarks of the Acer Group. All other products, brand names or companies are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Acer America Corp.

Meredith McAdam/Jessica Kersey, 408/432-6200