Compaq Announces Two New Flat Panel Monitors Uniquely Designed to Revolutionize the Business Environment.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 1999--

New Full-Featured 15-Inch CRT Monitor from the Market Leader

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ), today announced two flat panel monitors as well as a new 15-inch CRT monitor, delivering high performance and highly adaptable displays for every business environment. With today's announcement, Compaq now offers a variety of flat panel displays, including the industry's most technologically advanced 18-inch flat panel display, the Compaq TFT8000, as well as the TFT5000, the world's most flexible flat panel monitor. Also introduced today was the V500, an affordable, full-featured 15-inch display.

About Flat Panel Monitors

"Because of its screen clarity and space saving benefits, flat panel technology revolutionizes space-constrained work areas such as financial trading floors, healthcare facilities, and retail banking," said Ben Williams, Director of Enhancements and Monitors, North America, Compaq Computer Corporation. "As customers begin to migrate from large CRT screens to flat panel displays, the TFT8000 and TFT5000 harness the strengths of thin film technology along with Compaq's award-winning quality to offer an unbeatable display solution."

Advanced 18-Inch Flat Panel Monitor

The TFT8000, the industry's most advanced 18-inch flat panel monitor, features 16.7 million colors for a "true color" photo-realistic image. Superior new in-plane switching technology gives the screen wide-angle viewing area of 160 degrees without loss of color density or contrast. With a high resolution of 1280 x 1024, the TFT8000 supports the most commonly used resolution for comparably sized 21-inch CRT monitors, as well as graphic modes for Macintosh and Sun Microsystems platforms. Advanced algorithms smoothly scale lower resolutions to fill the screen.

The TFT8000, which is available immediately, provides an unmatched combination of size and performance at one of the industry's lowest prices, $3,100.(1)

Flexible 15-Inch Flat Panel Display

The TFT5000 has a 15-inch fully viewable, wide-angle screen with SuperBright technology and a 16.7 million color pallet. With the incorporation of Pivot(R) Software, from Portrait Displays, Inc., the TFT5000 is designed to adapt to every business environment, allowing the user to rotate the screen 90 degrees for portrait, and landscape viewing. The TFT5000 also features a height adjustable base that allows the user to raise and lower the screen for optimal viewing height. The high resolution of 1024 x 768 also includes advanced algorithms that smoothly scale lower resolutions to full-screen. The TFT5000 also comes with Automatic Setup, which fine-tunes picture clarity and focus automatically.

The TFT5000 is available immediately and is priced at $1,199.(1)

Compaq Unique Features

The TFT8000 and the TFT5000 were developed with many forward-thinking features designed to reduce the total cost of ownership over the lifetime of the product.

-- LiteSaver allows users to specify a time for the monitor to

turn on and off, thus extending the life of the backlight.

-- LCD DisplayAssistant software provides users with a quick and

easy way to fine-tune the display for optimum performance.

-- Intelligent Manageability makes it easier for customers to

manage and support the monitor in a corporate environment.

Compaq AssetControl provides monitor inventory information

across the network, helping to reduce support costs.

-- Three-button display controls allow for easy screen

adjustments.

And special features of the TFT8000 include:

-- Dual VGA inputs connect two PCs to a single TFT8000; a

convenient switch on the front of the screen lets users switch

between two PCs.

-- A Universal Serial Bus (USB) powered hub is located in the

base of the TFT8000, allowing users to connect two USB

peripherals, such as mouse and keyboard, to the monitor.

Space-Saving and Flexible Mounting Features

Compaq flat panel displays provide users with space saving benefits without sacrificing image size. The TFT8000 takes up less than half the space of a 21-inch CRT monitor and weighs 70 percent less.

Both the TFT8000 and the TFT5000 have flexible mounting options to ensure compatibility with a variety of corporate environments. Both displays can be attached to a desk arm, placed directly on a wall or tiled with other flat panel displays to create a large composite "virtual" screen. The detachable base has a small footprint with tilt and swivel adjustments for viewing comfort.

Also, the TFT5000 features a pivoting screen that allows the user to rotate the display 90 degrees, shifting the view from landscape to portrait.

The Affordable Full-Featured 15-Inch Monitor

As the leader in worldwide monitor market share, Compaq leads the industry with a new high-resolution 15-inch CRT monitor. With strong front of screen performance, the Compaq V500 is an ideal CRT monitor for the traditional office environment. The V500 has a 15-inch (13.8-inch viewable) display with a .24mm horizontal dot pitch and a 1024 x 768 resolution with a flicker free 85 Hz refresh rate. Designed to maximize convenience in the corporate environment, the V500 features easy-access on-screen controls.

Available immediately, the Compaq V500 is priced at $245.(1)

Award-Winning Environmental Standards

Compaq Flat Panel displays use less power than traditional CRT monitors, emit less heat and require less cooling, resulting in lower energy bills. All Compaq monitors are TCO '95 or MPR II certified for low emissions, Energy Star Compliant, CE Mark Certified and have passed the CFC Manufacturing for reducing chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere.

Service and Support

All of Compaq monitors are fully protected under a generous standard limited warranty, which includes on-site service for parts and labor for the first year, three-year backlight support for flat panels, and 48-Hour Direct Replacement during the parts warranty. The TFT8000 and TFT5000 have a standard parts warranty of three years, and the V500's warranty is for one year. Compaq offers around-the-clock telephone support 365 days a year. Online support is also available on Prodigy, CompuServe, America Online and the Internet.

Company Background

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.

Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at www.compaq.com, or by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ. Product information and reseller locations are available by calling 1-800-345-1518.

Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

(1) Estimated U.S. street price. Actual reseller prices may vary.