Acer Selects AuthenTec's TruePrint Based Sensors for Newest Line of Laptops; TravelMate 740 Laptops Will Feature EntrePad AES4000 Fingerprint Sensor.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2001

AuthenTec Inc., the industry leader in fingerprint authentication integrated circuits, today announced that Acer, Inc. has selected AuthenTec's patented TruePrint(TM) based sensors for their newly announced TravelMate 740 line of laptop personal computers. The TravelMate 740 laptops are the first of its kind in the Acer product line to implement TruePrint based sensors.

The TravelMate 740 is the newest high-end laptop line from Acer which features AuthenTec's EntrePad(TM) AES4000 sensor to identify and protect the user's computer and personal data. The TravelMate 740 Advanced Security System integrates the AES4000 with the PC Bios and Windows operating system. When the machine is booted up, the laptop asks for the user's fingerprint image to unlock the computer. If the correct fingerprint is not given, the machine refuses to boot. Acer and AuthenTec also collaborated with Q-Voice to integrate WhoIsIt?, a cutting edge Windows based computer security application that supports biometric enabled screen saver, network login, file and data protection as well as web password replacement.

The AES4000 sensor is driven by AuthenTec's revolutionary technology, called TruePrint, which reads beyond the surface layer of the skin to the live layer, where the true fingerprint resides. Unlike surface based optical, thermal and DC capacitive technologies, TruePrint is not affected by common skin surface conditions such as dry, worn, callused, oily, or dirty skin which can affect the sensor's ability to acquire accurate fingerprint images. TruePrint is the first fingerprint identification technology capable of being used by everyone, under virtually any condition. TruePrint's ability to acquire everyone makes it the most accurate and convenient fingerprint authentication technology on the market today.

"Our customers are interested in finding ways to keep their laptops safe and secure, and AuthenTec provides the perfect solution to meet our client's needs with the integration of their fingerprint sensors into our new TravelMate 740 portables," says Jim Wong, Vice President of IT Product Business for Acer Business Operation. "Enhancing personal security in our product offerings is a critical feature for Acer, and with AuthenTec's line of TruePrint based products, we can be assured that our customer's privacy and data is protected."

"Acer and AuthenTec have teamed together to provide one of the most secure yet convenient laptop technologies in the market. The Acer TravelMate 740 has set a new industry standard in laptop security," says Steve Mansfield, Vice President of Marketing for AuthenTec.

The TravelMate 740 is the only Pentium(R) III-M mobile PC on the market that is able to offer an average 4.0 hours of battery life along with a fingerprint security system. Other features on the TravelMate 740 are an Intel(R) Mobile Pentium(R) III-M processor featuring Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) technology; standard 128MB SDRAM upgradeable to 1GB; Acer Media Bay accepting standard 24x CD-ROM, 8x DVD-ROM, DVD plus CD-RW Combo Driver and 2nd 30GB HDD module; 65Wh Li-Ion battery pack with 4.0-hour battery life; and pre-loaded Windows 2000 Professional OS.

AuthenTec's AES4000 sensor is the world's most accurate, cost effective and lowest-power fingerprint identification sensor. The AES4000 is very compact with a sensor area of just over 11mm square in a package measuring only 20mm square and 1.4mm thick.

About Acer:

Established in 1976, Acer is among the world's top ten PC vendors, offering a broad range of PC products from industry-leading high-end PC servers and multimedia desktop computers to notebooks, computer peripherals and components. Acer is also a major Internet enabler, providing Internet component technologies, devices and services. These include end-to-end solutions, mobile phones, plasma displays, TFT-LCDs, projectors, wireless communications, and e-corp solutions. The Acer Group employs 35,000 people in 232 enterprises spanning 41 countries worldwide, supporting dealers and distributors in over 100 nations. Acer Group revenues were US$9.9 billion in 2000.

For more information, visit http://www.acer.com.

About AuthenTec:

AuthenTec, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company providing leading edge fingerprint sensor products to the biometric and security industries with products integrated into personal computers, wireless communications, access control, personal electronic devices and home security. AuthenTec's product families include FingerLoc(TM) for security applications such as access control or time/attendance, and EntrePad(TM), a convenient and secure way to access PCs and portable products such as PDA's and cell phones. All of AuthenTec's products are based on the company's patented TruePrint(TM) technology. Uniquely, TruePrint reads below the surface layer of the skin to the live layer where the true fingerprint begins. It is the first fingerprint identification technology that is capable of being used by everyone under virtually any condition. AuthenTec's products provide a natural and convenient way for people to enjoy secure e-commerce and Web access; for businesses to manage networks and control access; and for individuals to secure access to their personal data, homes, and even automobiles. In addition, AuthenTec's Solution Provider Network (SPN) aligns participating members together to provide complete biometric fingerprint identification solutions by integrating the FingerLoc and EntrePad sensors into mice, keyboards, wireless and access control devices.

For more information, visit http://www.authentec.com or call [phone].

EntrePad, TruePrint, and FingerLoc are trademarks of AuthenTec, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks referenced herein are properties of their respective owners.