NEC Computer Systems Announces New Line of Ultra Light Intel Pentium II Versa Notebook Computers.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 1998--

Versa SX Series Incorporates New Thin Screen Technology and Intel's Fastest Mobile Processor in a Revolutionary Thin and Light,

Full-Featured Design

                          Editor Highlights:

--   Intel Mobile Module Pentium II 233 or 266MHz processor, or 233MHz
     mobile Pentium processor with MMX technology

--   Ultrathin form factor measuring 1.3" (H) x 9.9" (D) x 12" (W) and
     weighing just 4.8 pounds with weight-saving module

--   14.1" XGA TFT or 13.3" XGA TFT displays featuring NEC's 1/4-inch
     screen technology

--   Modular ultraslim VersaBay III with hot swap technology accepts
     floppy drive, 24X CD-ROM, SuperDisk LS-120 drive, ZIP drive
     (expected to be available 8/98), DVD drive, second battery,
     second hard drive or weight-saving module

--   2.1GB, 3.2GB or 4.0GB (expected to be available 7/98) hard disk
     drives

--   Expandable memory: 32MB of RAM expandable to 256MB SDRAM SODIMM

--   All accessories are compatible across new Versa product lines and
     with many future offerings

--   Durable, two-tone dark steel silver and slate gray II chassis
     made of polycarbonate plastic with reinforced LCD panel

--   Complete docking solutions: choice of Versa Dock or Versa PortBar

--   Global UltraCare service available for up to five years

--   Windows 95, Windows 98 (available 7/98) or Windows NT 4.0
     operating systems

--   Software bundle that allows customer to add only the applications
     they require

--   ACPI compliant

     NEC Computer Systems Division (NEC CSD) today announced the
Versa(R) SX series of notebook computers, the latest offering from the
award-winning Versa family designed in a thin and light form factor
and weighing only 4.8 pounds.
     The Versa SX is designed for mobile professionals who require
full functionality in a lightweight form factor, and is engineered for
Intel's Mobile Module Pentium II processor (233 or 266MHz) and feature
NEC's 1/4-inch thin-display technology. The Versa SX is available in
mid-June built-to-order (BTO) through NEC NOW or through selected
resellers, starting at $3,499 for a Pentium II 233MHz system with a
13.3 inch display, or at $3,999 for a Pentium II 266MHz system with a
14.1 inch display. A system with a 233MHz mobile Pentium processor
with MMX technology will be available in August starting at $2,999.
     "The Versa SX, which is only 1.3 inches tall and weighs 4.8
pounds, incorporates the latest TFT (thin film transistor) display
technology from NEC Corporation with a new ultrathin form factor for a
light, fully-featured Pentium II system," said Robert Levin, vice
president of corporate clients, NEC CSD. "We combine this form factor
with the best mobile technology to offer users a truly portable
computing solution."
     "NEC's take on the `thin and light' category marks an important
step forward in driving computing power into lighter devices that
don't require the user to make huge compromises in terms of keyboard
and screen size," said Mike McGuire, senior industry analyst of mobile
computing with Dataquest.

Compatibility For a Lower Total Cost of Ownership

     Not only is the Versa SX engineered for superior performance, it
is also designed to lower the total cost of ownership associated with
maintaining the system. All accessories used with the Versa SX are
compatible with the Versa LX notebooks and will also be compatible
with many future offerings, potentially lowering maintenance costs and
allowing IS departments to manage only one set of accessories.
Compatible accessories include docking stations and port bars,
VersaBay III devices and memory slots.

New Industrial Design

     The Versa SX Series is designed in a revolutionary thin and light
form factor to minimize bulk and maximize portability. The unit
measures 12 inch (W) by 9.9 inch (D) by 1.3 inch (H) and weighs just
4.8 pounds. This slim line notebook is built to last; its durable
chassis is made with polycarbonate plastic and the display panel is
reinforced to ensure durability.

NEC Display Technology

       The slim form factor of the Versa SX is made possible in part by
the unit's display, which measures just 1/4-inch thick, thinner than a
pencil. Developed in Japan by NEC Corporation, this TFT (thin film
transistor) LCD screen is 33 percent thinner and up to 10 percent
lighter than previous LCD panels. Features and benefits of the new
screen, which will be available in 13.3 inch and 14.1 inch sizes,
include:

--   Approximately 20 percent lower power consumption: provides for
     better battery life

--   fast refresh: allows multimedia presentations and even CD-ROM
     movies to be viewed without skips or jumps typical with
     slow-refreshed LCD screens

--   wide viewing angle: enables side angle viewing for presentations
     and small group discussions

--   high contrast ratio: allows for easier viewing, letting notebook
     be used as primary display

--   high resolution and a wide color gamut: XGA resolution (1024x768)
     and up to 64K colors, easier viewing

--   integrated backlight: allows for better viewing in a variety of
     lighting conditions

Intel Pentium II Mobile Processors

     NEC incorporates the newest, fastest processor technology from
Intel into the Versa SX series, which is available with either a 233
or 266MHz Mobile Module Pentium II processor with 512KB LII cache.
     "The Versa SX with Intel's mobile Pentium II processor is a smart
choice for professionals looking for a mobile solution that offers all
the features of a well-equipped desktop," said Stephen Nachtsheim,
Intel corporate vice president and general manager, Mobile and
Handheld Products Group.

VersaBay III Options

     Mobile users can minimize travel weight and maximize versatility
with the side-loading, integrated VersaBay III, which accepts seven
different, hot-swappable storage and power computing tools. VersaBay
III options include:

--   24X CD-ROM drive

--   SuperDisk LS-120 drive

--   ZIP drive (available 8/98)

--   DVD drive

--   Second hard drive

--   Second battery

--   Weight saving module

Manageability Features

The Versa SX Series, aimed at the enterprise environment, is designed to minimize IS management issues and includes a number of features to ensure easy set-up and maintenance. The Versa SX is ACPI compliant and comes bundled with the latest version of LANDesk client manager.

Each unit is shipped with only its operating system and critical software pre-installed. Other software is shipped on a CD-ROM, allowing users or MIS managers to add only the applications required. Manageability software applications included on the CD-ROM are LANDesk Client Manager v3.2 and McAfee VirusScan.

NEC Versa UltraCare Service

NEC CSD was one of the first personal computer manufacturers in the industry to offer an innovative, comprehensive service and support program. NEC CSD's highly acclaimed UltraCare(R) Service offers a standard, return-to-factory, three-year limited warranty on all parts, labor and technical support. In addition, upon registration, the customer receives one free year of UltraCare Service; NEC CSD's enhanced warranty service program. Upgrades are available for up to five years. In the United States and Canada, UltraCare Service includes a toll-free hot line to request on-site service 24 hours a day, seven days a week as well as free overnight pickup, repair and return of the NEC Versa notebook computer within one business day after arrival at the service depot.

Company Background

NEC Computer Systems Division is a leading manufacturer of computer products and solutions for the commercial market. NEC-branded products include Versa(R) notebook computers, Direction(TM) personal computers, PowerMate(R) desktop computers, Express5800(TM) servers and MobilePro(TM) handheld personal computers. NEC Computer Systems Division uses a distribution model that enables customers to purchase built-to-order (BTO) and configured-to-order (CTO) notebooks, servers and desktop products, direct or via a network of qualified resellers. This customer-focused distribution model allows corporate end-users to choose the logistics and pricing advantages of direct sales, integrated with the service and support of their preferred resellers. By calling 1-888-8NEC-NOW or visiting the web site at www.necnow.com, customers decide how, where and when they want their orders fulfilled. NEC Computer Systems Division is a division of Sacramento, California-based Packard Bell NEC, Inc., the third largest PC vendor in the United States according to International Data Corporation, an independent industry research firm based in Framingham, Mass. -0-

Note to Editors: To obtain photos of the Versa SX please call Mojgan Khalili at 650-528-5513. NEC, PowerMate and Versa are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation used under exclusive license. Direction, Express5800 and MobilePro are trademarks, and NEC NOW is a service mark of Packard Bell NEC, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Pentium is a registered trademark and MMX is a trademark of Intel Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: NEC Computer Systems Division

Mojgan Khalili, 650/528-5513

[e-mail]

D.J. Anderson, 650/528-5306

[e-mail]