Breakthrough Screen Technology and Windows NT Workstation Support Reaffirm IBM ThinkPad Technology Leadership.

SOMERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 1998--IBM today introduced new models of its award-winning ThinkPad 770 and ThinkPad 600 series notebook computers that leverage its investments in LCD technology research and extensive support of Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) Workstation.

Designed for users that require workstation-level performance in a notebook computer, the new ThinkPads feature the Intel(R) 300MHz Mobile Pentium II (R) processor (1), Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) support and modular designs for adding functionality through a variety of options.

For businesses deploying Windows NT Workstation or planning to do so in the future, the ThinkPad 770X and 600E support Windows NT Workstation version 4.0. Tapping the strengths of IBM developers, the new ThinkPads deliver advanced Windows NT Workstation functionality, including full power management, resume on ring and Hot Plug PC Card support. The power management features allow users to manually set timers to control system devices such as the display, hard disk drive and the CPU, further extending battery life. In addition, a low-battery warning allows users to insert a charged battery or switch to AC power without losing critical data.

For unmatched Windows NT Workstation support, the new ThinkPad 770X also includes Windows NT functional extensions developed by IBM. Formerly available only to Windows(R) 95 mobile users, these extensions include DVD for storage, MPEG-2 playback, PnP Ultrabay, 3D Graphics (OpenGL only) and video capture.

"The strong technical relationship between IBM and Microsoft has enabled these extensions to benefit ThinkPad 770X users running Windows NT Workstation 4.0 today and will provide a smooth migration to Windows NT Workstation 5.0 in the future," said Carl Stork, General Manager, Microsoft Windows Operating Systems Division. "IBM has optimized the ThinkPad lineup to provide exceptional flexibility and functionality for Windows NT Workstation 4.0 mobile users."

The new ThinkPad 770X models 7AU and 7BU are the first notebook computers to offer an SXGA display with 1280 x 1024 resolution. Developed by IBM researchers, the new 13.7-inch active matrix screen can display images with extremely high clarity and detail, making it well suited for engineering, financial and other graphics-intensive applications. The ThinkPad 770X SXGA display relies on aluminium and/or copper to conduct electricity rather than molybdenum and tungsten, which were used in previous LCDs. This new design, coupled with advances in manufacturing, reduces steps in manufacturing, without the higher costs associated with next generation LCDs.

In addition to their 13.7-inch SXGA or 14.1-inch XGA displays, the new ThinkPad 770X models offer 8.1GB hard drives (2), a choice of 128MB or 64MB of base memory, full docking capability, Ultrabay solutions for custom configuration, and a choice of either Windows(R) 98 or Windows NT Workstation 4.0 operating systems. For demanding multimedia applications, the new ThinkPad 770X models feature 8 MB of video RAM and support for AGP graphics and DVD. For large screen presentations, an optional DVD and Enhanced Video adapter provides increased video performance for DVD movie playback and external display to a television. When used with an external monitor, the 770X supports more than 16 million colors for "true color" display capability.

Running in a Windows 98 environment, the ThinkPad 770X offers built-in DVD support, an especially-attractive feature for applications that demand superior video and audio quality. Integrated software-enabled DVD support does away with the need for an external PCMCIA card hardware solution. When pre-loaded with Windows 98, the 770X includes a DVD drive as standard equipment.

Superior manageability and security contribute to lower total cost of ownership for the new ThinkPad 770X systems. Each can be supported by IBM's Universal Management, a comprehensive set of standards-based PC hardware manageability tools. These include support for the Desktop Management Interface (DMI), IBM Wake on LAN (TM) support, and local and remote asset management via the IBM Universal Management Agent.

Pricing for the new ThinkPad 770X models begins at $5,399 (3).The new ThinkPad 600E targets mobile business professionals who need a full-function notebook with high-end multimedia performance in a slim and light form factor. For increased flexibility, ThinkPad 600E users can swap out the floppy disk drive from the Ultraslim Bay and swap in a second battery, increasing battery life to five and a half hours. If storage is an issue, they can swap in a second 6.4GB hard disk drive, boosting system capacity to 12.8GB. In addition to the convenience of the Ultraslim Bay, the ThinkPad 600E features advanced multimedia capabilities including a DVD drive, AGP, stereo sound and audio in/out. DVD is an especially-attractive feature for applications requiring superior video and audio quality. The Intel AGP high-speed graphics port offers a large boost to 3D texture mapping, enhancing the overall graphics performance of the system.

Priced at $4,599, the new ThinkPad 600E features a bright 13.3-inch XGA display, 2.5MB of Video RAM and a 6.4GB hard drive. The new ThinkPad also features IBM's Asset ID, a new hardware and software technology that utilizes radio frequency technology to help customers manage ThinkPad inventory, deployment and security. Through a hand held radio frequency unit, customers can write end-user information -- such as a unit's serial number, model number, processor speed or memory -- and software requirements on a system EEPROM while the ThinkPad is still in its carton.

The ThinkPad 600E is preloaded with Windows 98 and supports Windows NT Workstation 4.0.

The new ThinkPads are available through IBM SystemXtra, which combines technology, services, software, training and financing -- all for a single monthly invoice. SystemXtra also offers a unique technology exchange option, which enables customers to upgrade their ThinkPads anytime after 24 months. This provides access to the latest mobile technology, keeping it in the hands of skilled employees and reducing the capital outlay with specialized leasing programs.

For more information on Windows NT Workstation support on IBM ThinkPads, visit http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/infobrf/ntleadf.html. For more information on the ThinkPad line, visit http://www.ibm.com/pc/us/thinkpad or call 1-800-772-2227. To purchase a ThinkPad via the Internet, visit http://www6.pc.ibm.com/te_html/brands/thinkpad.html.

IBM, ThinkPad and SystemXtra are trademarks of IBM Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. PCs referenced herein ship with an operating system. 1. MHz only measures microprocessor internal clock speed, not application performance. Many factors affect application performance. 2. GB equals one billion bytes when referring to hard disk drive capacity. Accessible capacity may vary. 3. All prices quoted are estimated reseller prices to end users. Actual reseller prices may vary.