NEC Computer Systems Division Introduces New Models of the Award-Winning Versa 6000 Series; Versa 6050 Models Feature MMX Technology, Performance Increases and Improved Multimedia and Connectivity Features.MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 1997--Further enhancing its award-winning Versa Versa Versatile System Architecture (Genrad) 6000 Series of notebook computers, the NEC (NEC Corporation, Tokyo, www.nec.com, www.necus.com) An electronics conglomerate known in the U.S. for its monitors. In Japan, it had the lion's share of the PC market until the late 1990s (see PC 98). NEC was founded in Tokyo in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. Computer Systems Division of Packard Bell NEC (Packard Bell, The Netherlands, www.packardbell.com) A major PC manufacturer that is the consumer brand of NEC Computers International and the home computing market leader in the U.K. and much of Western Europe. , Inc. today announced the Versa 6050MH and the Versa 6050MX notebook computers. NEC designed the new notebook computers to provide corporate professionals high performance, extensive multimedia capabilities and powerful yet simple remote connectivity in a form factor that allows comfortable portability without any sacrifice or compromise in productivity. With a fast 150MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. Pentium processor with MMX technology, the Versa 6050 Series is an ideal tool to supply the power mobile professionals' need for performance-critical applications such as video and graphics-intensive presentations, multimedia, CAD, photo manipulation and multi-columned, calculation-intensive spreadsheets, Internet and network access and remote communications. "Our mission for 1997 is to help our customers reduce their total cost of ownership," said James P. Schwabe, senior vice president of Portable Systems and Peripherals for NEC Computer Systems Division. "With the Versa 6050MH and 6050MX, we've kept NEC's tradition of making the product ultra-modular so our customers may use the same components from our popular Versa 6000 Series or an MIS manager may simply and quickly reconfigure a system using the VersaBay II so that each Versa notebook computer may be tailored to fit a variety of different users needs." "We are excited that NEC has, once again, continued to be at the forefront of providing the latest technology to mobile computing users," said Stephen Nachtsheim, vice president and general manager, Intel Mobile and Handheld Products Group. "NEC's Versa 6050MH and 6050MX with MMX technology represent an excellent price/performance solution for corporate users who want `one-stop' shopping." High-contrast, high-resolution display As one of the largest Thin-Film-Transistor (TFT (Thin Film Transistor) The term typically refers to active matrix screens on laptop computers. Active matrix LCD provides a sharper screen display and broader viewing angle than does passive matrix. See LCD and thin film. TFT - Thin Film transistor ) LCD manufacturers in the world, NEC has the capability to provide the most advanced screen technology available today in large volumes. The NEC-manufactured Versa 6050MH and 6050MX TFT color screens are available in high-resolution, 1024 x 768 or 800 x 600, active matrix 12.1-inch models. Additionally, NEC has integrated Chips and Technologies' HiQVideo Multimedia PCI (1) (Payment Card Industry) See PCI DSS. (2) (Peripheral Component Interconnect) The most widely used I/O bus (peripheral bus). video subsystem into the notebook computers to provide speedy visuals of complex graphics and full-motion, full-screen video. The advanced video subsystem supports MPEG-1, Cinepak and Indeo video playback. The displays provides bright, high-quality graphics that are ideal for on-the-road presentations, multimedia applications and video playback. The addition of higher resolution and larger screens allows 156 percent more information to be displayed and than 640 x 480 resolutions as well as 35 percent more viewable area on a 12.1-inch screen (compared to a 10.4-inch screen). New Pentium processor with MMX technology standard NEC incorporated Intel's new MMX technology into all of its Versa 6050 Series of notebook computers. These new processors also include architectural improvements and 32KB of internal cache. These added features, at a minimum, run applications 10 - 20 percent faster than 150MHz-based notebook computers without MMX technology. With applications that are optimized for MMX technology, an even greater performance increase will be recognized. MMX technology provides not only a significant performance boost, but also investment protection that the new NEC Versa notebook computers will run next generation software that is optimized for MMX technology. Advanced, powerful multimedia The Versa 6050MH and 6050MX notebook computers feature an array of multimedia-enabling features that allow even the most demanding presentations to be taken on the road. Standard with each Versa notebook computer is an internal, removable 10X CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). that provides quick screen updates and Zoomed Video technology that enables the system to conduct video data transmission rates up to 27MB/second. Hardware-assisted MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) An ISO/ITU standard for compressing digital video. Pronounced "em-peg," it is the universal standard for digital terrestrial, cable and satellite TV, DVDs and digital video recorders (DVRs). that is optimized to accelerate MMX (MultiMedia EXtensions) A set of 57 additional instructions built into the Pentium MMX chip for improved multimedia and modem performance by performing mathematical operations on multiple sets of data at the same time (see SIMD). software titles allows smooth full-motion, full-screen playback up to 30 frames per second (fps). And, with the SoundBlaster 16 audio, the notebook computers support .AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) A Windows multimedia video format from Microsoft. It interleaves standard waveform audio and digital video frames (bitmaps) to provide reduced animation at 15 fps at 160x120x8 resolution. Audio is 11,025Hz, 8-bit samples. , MIDI and .WAV files to produce clear and powerful audio. A microphone, FM synthesizer and InterActual's VideoSaver Pro MPEG presentation software, including a Star Trek: First Contact video clips CD add more enhanced multimedia capabilities to showcase the true potential of MMX technology. Powerful and simple connectivity The multiple communications capabilities integrated in the Versa 6050MH and 6050MX ranges from cellular to infrared to telephony. The Versa 6050MH and 6050MX notebook computers offer one of the widest arrays of connectivity possibilities. The internal 33.6Kbps modem is cellular-ready so users may connect to email, gain network access or send a facsimile transmission via their cellular phone. Communications software that is pre-loaded on each notebook computer has fax/data transmission capability and enables the notebook computers to serve as a speaker phone and answering machine. Internet access is provided via pre-loaded Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer See Internet Explorer. software. With PC CardBus architecture, users may also take advantage of new high-speed networking PC cards. Additionally, NEC designed the Versa 6050MH and 6050MX notebook computers with front- and back- 4Mbit FIR (fast infrared). FIR allows wireless file transfer and remote printing with other infrared-equipped computers and printers. The Versa 6050MH and 6050MX's infrared capability is up to 40 times faster than other non-FIR-equipped notebooks. Enhanced VersaGlide touchpad A stationary pointing device that provides a small, flat surface that you slide your finger over using the same movements as you would a mouse. You can tap on the pad's surface as an alternate to pressing one of the touchpad keys. See mouse, trackball and pointing stick. The NEC VersaGlide touchpad offers new features to improve productivity and add ease of use when using the touchpad pointing device. The drag-lock feature lets the user to select an object to drag and lift the finger from the VersaGlide touchpad without deselecting the object. This feature allows quicker and simpler edge-to-edge movement of the cursor. An additional features allows the user to create custom signatures, which trigger user-defined functions. Uncompromising modularity and security In 1993, NEC created a de facto standard Hardware or software that is widely used, but not endorsed by a standards organization. Contrast with de jure standard. de facto standard - A widespread consensus on a particular product or protocol which has not been ratified by any official standards body, such as ISO, in the portable computer marketplace with its modularity and backward and forward Adv. 1. backward and forward - moving from one place to another and back again; "he traveled back and forth between Los Angeles and New York"; "the treetops whipped to and fro in a frightening manner"; "the old man just sat on the porch and rocked back and forth all upgradeability and compatibility that was first introduced in the original NEC Versa notebook computer's VersaBay module. The front-loadable VersaBay II module allows the exchange of the floppy disk drive floppy disk drive - disk drive with the 10X CD-ROM drive, extra battery or additional hard disk drive. By adding a second hard drive, the notebook computer may have up 4.2GB of storage capacity. In addition to full port replication and many additional I/O (Input/Output) The transfer of data between the CPU and a peripheral device. Every transfer is an output from one device and an input to another. See PC input/output. I/O - Input/Output slots, the Docking Station 6000 Plus transforms the Versa 6050MH and 6050MX Series into a powerful multimedia desktop. The Docking Station 6000 Plus provides "hot," motorized mo·tor·ize tr.v. mo·tor·ized, mo·tor·iz·ing, mo·tor·iz·es 1. To equip with a motor. 2. To supply with motor-driven vehicles. 3. To provide with automobiles. docking to provide a quick, simple connection with the Versa notebook computers. The Docking Station 6000 Plus also provides keylock protection and a security system, similar to a car alarm, that sounds if an attempt is made to force the Versa 6050MH or 6050MX notebook computer from a locked Docking Station 6000 Plus. For users who need simplicity without the added multimedia and storage capability, NEC's PortBar 6000 provides full port replication in a small, lightweight form factor. Additional security and virus protection In addition to the built-in alarm system in the Docking Station 6000, the Versa 6000 Series offers multiple password protection down to the bios-level and has a Kensington lock slot as well. The placement of the Kensington lock is strategically located to prevent removal of the hard drive when in Docking mode. For protection against viruses, NEC pre-loads McAfee's industry-leading VirusScan software and WebScan software guard the system from virtually any virus. No-fault insurance no-fault insurance, type of indemnity plan, usually applied to automobile coverage, in which those injured in an accident receive direct payment from the company with which they themselves are insured. protection with NEC's Versa UltraCare service The NEC Versa 6050MH and 6050MX offer a standard, return-to-factory, three-year limited warranty Limited warranty A warranty with certain conditions and limitations on the parts covered, type of damage covered, and/or time period for which the agreement is good. on all parts and labor. In addition, by submitting the product registration card, customers receive one free year of UltraCare service, NEC's no-fault, award-winning, enhanced warranty service program. In the U.S. and Canada, UltraCare service includes a toll-free hot line to request service 24 hours a day, seven days a week as well as free overnight pickup and return and repair of the NEC Versa notebook computer within one business day after arrival at the service depot. UltraCare service is available in 26 countries. United States-based manufacturing NEC recently adapted its Fife, Washington, manufacturing facility from a line-based system to a "pod-based" system. This change in manufacturing allows NEC's manufacturing arm to operate on a flex-build basis. Flex build ensures that NEC may quickly adapt its product output to match market demand. Pricing and Availability NEC's Versa 6050MH and Versa 6050MX notebook computers are currently shipping and are available through NEC's nationwide network of authorized resellers. Estimated selling prices of the Versa notebook computers are as follows: -0- Model ESP (1) (Enhanced Service Provider) An organization that adds value to basic telephone service by offering such features as call-forwarding, call-detailing and protocol conversion. NEC Versa 6050MH $4,699 12.1" TFT SVGA (Super VGA) A screen resolution of 800x600 pixels. Third-party vendors extended IBM's VGA display standard and were the first to use the term. SVGA has also referred to 1,024x768 resolutions. See PC display modes. Display, 150MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology, 1.44GB HDD (Hard Disk Drive) See hard disk and HDD caddy. HDD - hard disk drive , 16MB RAM, 10X CD-ROM, 33,6Kbps voice/data/fax modem NEC Versa 6050MX $5,199 12.1" TFT XGA (EXtended Graphics Array) A screen resolution of 1,024x768 pixels. The term stems from IBM's XGA display standard introduced in 1990, which extended VGA to 132-column text and interlaced 1,024x768x256 resolution. XGA-2 later added non-interlaced 1,024x768x64K. Display, 150MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology, 2.1GB HDD, 16MB RAM, 10X CD-ROM, 33,6Kbps voice/data/fax modem -0- About NEC Computer Systems Division NEC Computers Systems is a leading worldwide supplier of notebook and desktop computer systems and servers for the commercial and consumer markets. NEC Computers Systems is a division of Packard Bell NEC, Inc., one of the largest computer companies in the world. Packard Bell NEC headquarters are in Sacramento, Calif. For more information about NEC products, contact 1-800-NEC-VERSA or WWW WWW or W3: see World Wide Web. (World Wide Web) The common host name for a Web server. The "www-dot" prefix on Web addresses is widely used to provide a recognizable way of identifying a Web site. .NEC.COM (1) (Computer Output Microfilm) Creating microfilm or microfiche from the computer. A COM machine receives print-image output from the computer either online or via tape or disk and creates a film image of each page. . -0- Note to Editors: Photos of the NEC Versa 6050 Series are available by calling D.J. Anderson at 415-528-5306. NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. Versa is an U.S. registered trademark and UltraCare is a registered service mark of NEC Technologies, Inc. VersaBay, VersaGlide and PortBar are trademarks of NEC Technologies, Inc. These trademarks are used under license by 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 notations of TM or are trademarks of their respective firms. CONTACT: NEC Computer System Division D.J. Anderson, 415-528-5306 djanderson@nectech.com |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion