NEC Technologies sets new standard with Pentium processor notebook; NEC ships Pentium notebook with industry-first High-Resolution 800 x 600 display and Intel's updated Pentium processor.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 1995--NEC Technologies (NECT) Friday announced the shipping of its Versa P Series of state-of-the-art performance notebooks for mobile professionals.

The new series, which is available through major reseller channels and superstores, offers performance-optimized 75MHz Pentium processor speed and configurations that include NEC's industry-first High Resolution 800 x 600 display.

These features combined allow power users to work over 100 percent faster and see over 50 percent more information on the screen. All models ships with Intel's updated Pentium processor.

"Being the first company to ship a Pentium-based notebook with a high resolution screen is testament to NEC's technology leadership position in the notebook arena. The Versa P Series is at the forefront of the Pentium processor revolution in notebook computers," said Stephen Nachtsheim, vice president and general manager, mobile and home products group at Intel Corp.

Five High Performance Models

Two models of the Versa P Series feature NEC's first-ever High Resolution 800 x 600 TFT color display with 256 colors and three models offer enhanced TFT full color displays with over 65,000 vibrant colors at 640 x 480 resolution.

All systems come with 8 MB RAM, user upgradeable 240 MB and up to an 810 MB hard drive, offering users a wide variety of Versa P performance systems to choose from. With its 3.3 volt Pentium processor power architecture, the Versa P can achieve over 100 percent greater performance than that of comparable Intel DX4 75 MHz systems, without compromising battery life.

"We have complemented the Versa P's Pentium processor with a 256 KB secondary cache to produce a notebook that allows users to maximize their productivity. This, when coupled with the high-resolution screen, lets people use their notebooks like their desktop systems.

"They no longer need to change the way they work when they're on the road," said Bob Levin, director of product marketing for NEC's Portable Systems Group.

Industry-First High-Resolution Display

The industry-first NEC High-Resolution display brings a new level of productivity power to mobile computer users. Those who work with large spreadsheets or complex CAD/CAM designs see 53 percent more on a High-Resolution display than on a standard 640 x 480 display -- without the need to pan or scroll.

Multimedia and Modularity

The Versa P is also a highly effective multimedia system, with its VL local bus video and graphics accelerator to provide the highest level of graphics performance, and its built-in SoundBlaster compatible sound system. With the Versa P Series, NEC continues its tradition of providing its users maximum expansion and upgrade options.

The Versa P comes standard with 2 PCMCIA slots and a full array of ports for attaching an external monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse and audio/output jacks. It also includes the innovative VersaBay slot, which allows versatile modular upgrades such as the addition of 2 more PCMCIA slots or a TV tuner.

Availability and Pricing

Versa P notebook computers are available in the United States and Canada through NEC's extensive network of authorized dealers. New estimated selling prices, which reflect price reductions announced today by NEC, are:

-0-

Model                                  USA        Canada
-----                                  ---        ------
VersaVision TFT High-Resolution
 Color Models

Versa P/75HC                         $5,799       $8,163
(75 MHz, 540 MB HDD)

Versa P/75HC                         $6,339       $8,923
(75 MHz, 810 MB HDD)

VersaVision TFT Full Color Models

Versa P/75C                          $4,999       $7,037
(75 MHz, 340 MB HDD)

Versa P/75C                          $5,399       $7,600
(75 MHz, 540 MB HDD)

Versa P/75C                          $5,939       $8,360
(75 MHz, 810 MB HDD)

    -0-

NEC Technologies

Headquartered in Boxborough, Mass., NEC Technologies Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computers and peripherals for the North American market. Product lines include Image, PowerMate, Express/II and Ready systems products, RISC-based workstations and servers, the award-winning Versa notebook computers, the MultiSync V, XE and XP monitors, Silentwriter and SuperScript printers and MultiSpin CD-ROM Readers. NEC Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corp.

CONTACT: Golin/Harris Communications

Richard Farana, 408/433-2127

Eric Bone, 508/264-8835

[e-mail]