Tadpole Technology announces the ALPHAbook 1, the world's most powerful notebook computer; Industry's first 233MHz Alpha processor-based notebook offers workstation-class performance and true portability to the digital OpenVMS user community.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 1995--Tadpole Technology Plc today announced the ALPHAbook 1, the world's most powerful notebook computer and the first notebook driven by an Alpha 21066 microprocessor with variable speed of up to 233MHz from Digital Equipment Corporation.

Shown for the first time today at the Digital Equipment Corporation User Society (DECUS) meeting, the ALPHAbook 1 packs all the computing power of a Digital Alpha workstation -- including support for the OpenVMS operating system -- into a highly rugged, 7.5-pound notebook form factor.

The ALPHAbook 1, which is targeted at software development, defense, communications, engineering and performance-critical commercial markets, is the result of a strategic agreement between Digital and Tadpole announced in May 1994. Techniques used in designing the system were gained from Tadpole's expertise in developing three generations of award winning SPARCbook workstation-class notebooks and the P1000 Series of Pentium processor-based notebook PCs. The ALPHAbook 1 extends Tadpole's design philosophy to deliver uncompromised, workstation-class portable computing products based on a wide range of microprocessor architectures.

"The ALPHAbook 1 features all the hallmarks of Tadpole's full line of workstation-class notebook products, including unparalleled performance and functionality, rugged magnesium case, power management and standard notebook weight and form factor," said George Grey, chief executive officer of Tadpole Technology. "This agreement allows us extend our product line to Digital's user community, providing them the first reliable mobile platform for high-end, OpenVMS-based applications."

Powered by an Alpha 21066-A microprocessor with a variable speed of up to 233MHz and a 512K level 2 write-back cache, the ALPHAbook 1 also features an integrated PCI system bus interface for high-speed access to graphics, PCMCIA and SCSI interfaces. Removable 2.5-inch SCSI-2 hard disk drives are available in 520 megabyte (MB), 810MB or 1.2 Gigabyte (GB) capacities. System memory is user upgradable using industry-standard SIMMs in configurations starting at 32MB and going up to 128MB.

Two PCMCIA slots give users a choice of two Type I/II or one Type III card, and two docking station options allow users to easily connect a variety of peripherals. The ALPHAbook 1 includes a 3COM Ethernet card and supports an optional 28.8K fax/modem PC Card.

Software offerings for the ALPHAbook 1 will include Digital's OpenVMS operating system, DECwindows/Motif, TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS and OpenVMS Cluster Client. DECnet/OSI is available as an add-on option. Plans are already underway to support the Digital UNIX operating system in 1996.

With 1MB of video RAM and a 10.4-inch true-color TFT active matrix screen, Tadpole's ALPHAbook 1 supports 256 colors simultaneously from a choice of 262,144 at 800 x 600 resolution and uses a built-in graphics accelerator for enhanced graphics response. Users who want to make a presentation to a large group can do so using the ALPHAbook 1's support for resolutions up to 1024 x 768 on external displays. An integrated 16-bit stereo audio for CD-quality sound, internal microphone and speaker, and in/out audio ports complete the ALPHAbook 1's A/V functions.

"Digital is very excited about Tadpole's delivery of the ALPHAbook 1 supporting the OpenVMS Operating System," said Jesse Lipcon, vice president of Systems Product Management and Development at Digital. "The ALPHAbook 1 delivers unique benefits for OpenVMS users, extending their office to a virtual office wherever their business takes them."

Pricing and Availability

The Tadpole ALPHAbook 1 will be available in early January 1996 through Tadpole and Digital, and through selected Digital and Tadpole resellers and distributors worldwide. Pricing starts at $13,950 for a system configured with bundled OpenVMS, 3COM Ethernet card, 32MB DRAM and 520MB hard disk drive.

Tadpole Technology designs and manufactures high-performance, workstation-class notebook computers, board-level and software products for OEMs and end-users. Established in 1984 and publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, Tadpole is headquartered in Cambridge, England. U.S. headquarers are in Austin, Texas with sales offices and authorized resellers throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia/Pacific Rim. -0-

Note to Editors: Alpha, OpenVMS, DEC, DECnet, DECwindows, and Digital are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.