Compaq Brings Mobile Computing Home; Launches The First Multimedia Notebook Designed For Consumers.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 1996--Bringing greater flexibility and mobility to home computing, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) today unveiled the Compaq Presario 1000 Series, the industry's first family of portable computers designed exclusively for the consumer market. Providing home users with the ultimate multimedia notebook for serious work and serious play, the Compaq Presario 1000 Series combines a sleek, all-inclusive design with the power and multimedia capabilities previously found only in multimedia desktop systems.

"Compaq is the first to recognize that consumers looking for a notebook PC demand innovative design with everything built in, rich multimedia features, and desktop level performance," said Mike Heil, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager, Consumer Products Group, Compaq. "The Presario 1000 Series has been designed to meet the needs of this growing group of mobile consumers and recognizes that home PC computing no longer takes place only on the desktop."

Innovative Consumer Design with Everything Built-in

The Compaq Presario 1000 Series heralds a new generation of multimedia notebook PCs that addresses consumer needs for portability combined with affordability, excellent multimedia functionality, and desktop performance. As the industry's first portable PC designed exclusively for the consumer market, the Presario 1000 Series' sleek, all-inclusive design seamlessly integrates CD-ROM, diskette drive, modem, hard drive, Easy Access Buttons and powerful speakers for a convenient no hassle solution.

Innovative Multimedia Capabilities

With prices ranging from approximately $2,499 to $3,999 (a), the product line provides an outstanding portable multimedia experience with built-in CD-ROM drive, 33.6 Kbps modem, powerful ported stereo speakers, and exceptional graphics and video performance. The 128-bit graphics acceleration dramatically outperforms even the newest 64-bit graphics controllers providing responsive graphics performance and smooth full screen MPEG video playback. Special Easy Access Buttons control the audio CD player and are accessible even when the display is turned off. An on-screen display indicates the status of the audio CD player as well volume, contrast and brightness levels.

Since sound is a key element of multimedia technology, Compaq designed the high-quality audio system for the Presario 1000 Series to deliver rich sound, unlike that traditionally delivered in a portable PC product. The Presario 1000 Series audio system combines a unique acoustic transducer, a power amplifier and a four-stage equalizer, with dual ported stereo speakers for a powerful, clear and undistorted sound.

Advanced Communication Capabilities

Select models of the Presario 1000 Series will include a built-in 33.6 Kbps data/fax modem, delivering the fastest Internet access over standard phone lines. The advanced modem and built-in microphone combined with the Compaq Phone Center software enables consumers to take advantage of the full-duplex speakerphone, telephone answering machine and fax capabilities. In addition, these models have videophone capabilities that allow consumers to receive full color motion video (b). This allows notebook consumers to experience richer communications with friends and family members while at home or on the road.

Desktop-level Performance

To deliver the power of traditional Presario desktop features Compaq has incorporated fast Pentium processors (120-133 MHz), 16 MB EDO memory, 810 MB - 1.44 GB hard drive, and large 11.3-inch STN and TFT panels. Each model offers additional expandability including PCMCIA slots, up to 48 MB memory and an optional port replicator.

The Presario 1000 family comes standard with a variety of software such as Windows 95, Quicken - Special Edition, American Online, MS Works and other software to address the needs of consumers.

Compaq's Summer Series of Announcements

The Compaq Presario 1000 Series was debuted as part of the new Compaq Presario family, unveiled at a New York City press conference earlier today, featuring a stunning line-up of personal computers for the home, with segmented models -- from notebooks to mini-tower PCs -- that are tailored to meet the individual needs of the consumer market (see separate press releases). The Presario roll-out is part of Compaq's series of announcements this summer, which together, provide a powerful combination of useful innovations for the Internet Age.

Availability

The Presario 1000 Series will initially be available in the U.S. in early fourth quarter. The Compaq Presario family, introduced in North America and Latin America today, will be launched within Compaq's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific and Japan regions later this year. The product models and features for all regions and countries may differ.

Company Background

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune 100 company and the world's largest supplier of personal computers, delivers useful innovation through products that network people with information. Compaq is strategically organized to meet the current and future needs of its customers, offering enterprise computing solutions, networking products, commercial PC products and consumer PCs. In 1995, the company reported worldwide sales of $14.9 billion. 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 can be found at http://www.compaq.com or by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ. Product information and reseller locations can be obtained by calling 1-800-345-1518. -0- (a) All prices listed herein are estimated US retail prices; actual prices may vary.

(b) Free videophone-receive software offer available late 1996.

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

VNR Coordinates

Date: Monday 07/15/96

Time: 02:30 p.m.

Satellite Name: alaxy C4

Transponder: 11H ch11

Audio: 6.2 & 6.8

Downlink Freq: 3920 Mhz

CONTACT: Compaq Computer Corporation

Brian Temple

713-514-0484

[e-mail]

or

Miller/Shandwick Technologies

Wendy DeFeudis

617-536-0470

[e-mail]

or

Matt Lloyd

617-536-0470

[e-mail]