New Media's two-in-one PC Card combines LAN adapter and 33.6 modem for simultaneous connectivity.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 1996--

New LANSurfer Features Internet Access and Fax Software

New Media, a leading developer and manufacturer of portable computing solutions, on Wednesday announced it is shipping its combination Ethernet LAN adapter and 33.6 fax/modem PC Card, the LANSurfer.

The LANSurfer offers the portable computer user the best of both worlds -- a highly refined LAN adapter card and a robust fax/modem card -- combined in one easy-to-use PC Card. The one-slot card provides users with concurrent functionality, enabling them to simultaneously use the fax/modem or connect to online services while connected as a node on the LAN.

Additionally, the card includes software from Delrina's WinFax/WinComm LITE for complete data communications.

The new LANSurfer addresses a wide array of applications ranging from sharing files, sending e-mail and sharing printers and other devices over the computer network to surfing the Net, sending and receiving faxes and connecting to online services.

"Today, increased numbers of portable computing users are realizing the convenience and high performance that multifunction cards offer," said Jay Kerutis, New Media's vice president, marketing and sales.

"In combining two of the most popular PC Cards on the market, we've provided a solution that uses only one slot, leaving the second slot free for other necessary functions."

Plug-and-Play Tops List of LAN Features

New Media's LANSurfer provides full networking and data communications for the portable computer. The card provides high performance networking capabilities, featuring 850kbps sustained and 10mbps burst data rates. The LANSurfer offers drivers for DOS, Windows, Windows 95 and Windows NT.

Network access is seamless under all major network operating systems including Windows NT, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, Novell NetWare, Artisoft LANtastic, Banyan Vines, Personal NetWare and DEC PathWorks.

Highlighting genuine plug-and-play capabilities with hot-swapping, the user can also remove the card from the slot and replace it with any other New Media card at anytime without rebooting the system or running any reconfiguration.

33.6 High-Speed Access

LANSurfer complies with all modem protocols and standards including V.34 for speeds from 3kbps to 33.6kbps, enabling connection with all existing modems at their top speed. The LANSurfer offers complete data transmission, data compression, faxing and error correction compatibility.

Additionally, the card supports V.32terbo and features V.42bis and MNP 5 compression for data modem throughput to 115.2kbps, allowing users to download one megabyte of data in a little over one minute. Faxes can be sent and received at rates up to 14.4kbps.

Added Features Include Ease-of-Use Tools

Designed using the new LANSurfer diagnostics program, the LANSurfer provides in-depth software configuration and card tests that encompass cabling difficulties, including cable termination, and provides helpful feedback. Designed to save the portable computer's battery life, the LANSurfer draws only 100 milliamps of power in the idle mode.

The LANSurfer also features the company's suite of ease-of-use tools, including Auto-Install, Knowledge Bank, CardSleuth and built-in remote diagnostic software. Auto-Install is an installation and configuration program which analyzes the machine's PCMCIA software, loads all of the necessary driver software and application software under one compliant interface, and edits the appropriate system files. Also included is Knowledge Bank, a troubleshooting and information resource, and CardSleuth, a general diagnostic utility program.

New Media's LANSurfer operates on laptops running DOS, Windows, Windows 95 or Windows NT and requires a Type II PCMCIA or PC Card revision 2 or higher slot. Once installed, the PC Card doesn't require any third party software, simply plug the 10Base-T connector into the network and the RJ-11 into the phone line.

The slim cable design of the LANSurfer's interface and the cable-to-card connection design guarantees that the cable will not interfere with the computer's second card slot. With the number of laptops with two PCMCIA slots rapidly increasing it is important to be able to utilize both slots. This permits a sound card to be used simultaneously for Internet phone usage or an MPEG video card for videoconferencing.

Pricing and Availability

Shipped with both a 10Base-T network and modem cable along with a modem-only cable, New Media's LANSurfer has a suggested retail price of $450. This new offering is available through a variety of retail outlets, is backed by a 5-year warranty and is FCC Class B certified for home and office use.

All New Media portable computing products, including the new LANSurfer, are available through New Media's established partners including distributors, resellers, retailers and catalogs. For additional information on availability, please call 800/CARDS-4U or 714/453-8080.

Company Information

New Media Corp. (http://www.newmediacorp.com), with headquarters in Irvine, manufactures a broad line of portable computing solutions that address a variety of market segments including data communications, networking and multimedia.

The company is a leading innovator of easy-to-use and easy-to-install PC Cards for laptop computers. New Media's extensive research and development activities have led to many industry firsts.

CONTACT: New Media Corp., Irvine

Andy Moon, 714/453-0100

or

Lages & Associates

Debbie Bellan/Beverly Lages

714/453-8080