Digital Redefines Notebook Computers With New HiNote Line

MAYNARD, Mass. -- November 11, 1994 -- Digital Equipment Corporation today
entered the fast-growing notebook marketplace with two Digital HiNote
notebook families that redefine style, portability and usability for
mobile computer users. The new families of Digital designed notebook
computers include five HiNote models and five HiNote Ultra models, and
feature breakthrough design in the lightest, slimmest, full-size,
full-feature notebooks on the market.

"Digital is enhancing how people interact with their computers," commented
Bernhard Auer, vice president and general manager of Digital's Personal
Computer Business Unit. "These HiNote notebooks redefine that
relationship. The combination of aesthetic and ergonomic design, power,
ease-of-use and compatibility makes them extremely appealing to resellers
and users alike. With the HiNote line as our entry into the fast-growing
notebook market, we continue our drive to become one of the top five PC
vendors by the end of 1995."

"We expect Digital's HiNote notebooks to become an instant success with our
resellers and customers," added Raymond Weadock, vice president and
general manager, Americas, for the Digital Personal Computer Business
Unit. "Our channel partners who have reviewed the new systems see both the
HiNote and the HiNote Ultra notebooks as ideal additions to their product
portfolios."

The Digital HiNote line is designed to provide excellent performance,
reliability and ease-of use in a lightweight, sleek design -- at a
competitive price. The HiNote systems are targeted at mobile users such as
sales and service personnel and others who work out of the office, such as
insurance and healthcare professionals, journalists and consultants.

The HiNote Ultra family redefines mobile computing, combining the latest
technology in the sleekest, most ergonomic and attractive form factor on
the market. At under four pounds with a full 9.5 inch screen, infrared
communications, business audio, and the latest in notebook technology, the
HiNote Ultra is the first "no sacrifice" notebook for the mobile
professional who must have a powerful, portable, presentable system at all
times.

Both HiNote and HiNote Ultra notebooks feature an innovative, centered,
built-in trackball with a surround click button for left- and right-handed
users; a sculpted palm rest for comfort; a full-size 82-key keyboard with
19mm key pitch and 3mm key travel for the touch and feel of a desktop
keyboard; and quick release PCMCIA eject buttons that make it easy to hot
swap communications, network, storage and multimedia options.

Digital also announced Digital branded PCMCIA HiNote notebook system
options including FAX/modems; Ethernet and Token Ring network connectors;
SCSI cards; hard disk storage cards and multimedia cards that are fully
tested with the HiNote line and warranted to be fully compatible. All
Digital branded and third party PCMCIA cards, as well as other options,
are easy to add and remove since the new notebooks feature Plug and Play
Flash BIOS and are Microsoft Windows 95 Ready.

In addition, an LCD status panel next to the screen informs users of
battery life, disk access, communications status and several critical
functions. All HiNote and HiNote Ultra options, such as AC adapters, carry
the same breakthrough design concepts in light, attractive packages giving
HiNote and HiNote Ultra notebooks the lightest travel weight in the
industry.

HiNote -- Puts Real Value Back into the "Value" Segment

The Digital HiNote family sets new standards for what the industry has
defined as the value segment of the notebook market. It combines
innovative design in five value models, all featuring full-sized, 82 key
keyboards and 9.5 inch display screens in an 8.5 x 11 inch form factor.
The HiNote 433 dual scan STN monochrome weighs only 4.9 pounds and
measures just 1.5 inches high. The HiNote CS 433 and CS 450 dual scan STN
color models weigh only 5.4 pounds, and the high-end HiNote CT 450 and CT
475 TFT active matrix color models weigh just 5.5 pounds; the color models
measure only 1.7 inches high. U.S. list prices range from $1699 to $4399.

"We focused on what business professionals want in their notebook
computers," said Winnie Briney, vice president, mobile systems for
Digital's PC Business Unit. "That's why we designed the HiNote system to
be light and attractive but with full power and functionality with
pre-loaded software that traveling professionals need."

In addition, HiNote features up to 1MB video memory and 32-bit local bus
video for outstanding color graphics performance and full-motion video;
two hot-swappable, PCMCIA slots on the color models; Enhanced Parallel
Port; user upgradeable 120, 240, 340MB hard drives; and advanced power
management features that give up to six hours of battery life under normal
usage.

HiNote options include a standard Port Replicator and a PCMCIA Port
Replicator that allows up to a total of four PCMCIA slots, a hot-swappable
spare battery, car adapter and battery charger.

HiNote Ultra - Redefines Mobile Computing

The HiNote Ultra notebook is unique from the first look. Small size and
light weight, without sacrificing a full size keyboard and large 9.5 inch
screen, are central design criteria. The 8.5 x 11 inch HiNote Ultra 433
dual scan STN monochrome is just 1 inch high, and weights only 3.5 pounds.
The color models measure only 1.2 inches in height. The dual-scan STN
color HiNote Ultra CS 433 and 450 models weigh only 3.9 pounds and the TFT
active matrix color HiNote Ultra CT 450 and CT 475 come in at 4 pounds.
This makes the HiNote Ultra family, by far, the lightest, most compact,
full-size, notebook computer on the market. The HiNote Ultra family is
priced between $2099 and $4999 in the U.S.

"Our team of expert notebook engineers and designers threw out conventional
thinking when they created the HiNote Ultra," said Briney. "They designed
a notebook computer that literally breaks the mold on power and size, look
and feel, and how they fit into a professional's work style. Customers,
resellers and analysts who have seen early HiNote Ultra models have been
unanimously enthusiastic, and immediately wanted one."

It is the first notebook with an integral Lithium Ion battery that flips
down to tilt the unit to a comfortable typing angle. The HiNote Ultra also
includes an innovative, "zero footprint," wedge-shaped, hot-dockable
floppy disk drive that clips directly onto the system in the open space
under the notebook created by the flip down battery. This unique floppy
dock requires no cables and operates like an integrated floppy drive. In
addition, a full-size keyboard, ambidextrous trackball and LCD status
panel are standard on the HiNote Ultra.

The notebooks are optimized for demanding mobile users. The flip-down,
hot-swappable Lithium Ion battery delivers up to six hours under normal
usage, providing the longest battery life per pound in the industry. A
built-in infrared port allows quick and easy wireless communications with
similarly equipped personal computers and printers for the most efficient
integration of mobile computing with office applications. HiNote Ultra
systems with Intel DX2/50 and DX4/75 processors include 16-bit business
audio for multimedia applications and presentations, and 1MB of video
memory. The HiNote Ultra 433 and 450 models are user upgradeable to the
DX4/75 processor.

In addition, HiNote Ultra includes 170, 240 or 340MB factory upgradeable
hard drives, quick-release PCMCIA slots with convenient release buttons
for fast, hot swaps of option cards; a serial port and an ECP/EPP parallel
port, Plug and Play Flash BIOS; a small, 1 inch high AC adapter; and the
removable floppy dock. Options include a snap-on PCMCIA "zero footprint"
wedge-shaped expansion dock to support up to a total of four PCMCIA cards
-- the most in the industry.

HiNote and HiNote Ultra - Optimized for the Business User

The HiNote line includes MS-DOS 6.22, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and
Digital's "Getting Started" user interface to help users become productive
quickly with their new systems. In the U.S. the full HiNote line is
Internet ready using Delphi"s InterNav Internet navigation software. The
HiNote line also includes several other application packages for mobile
professionals, including Lotus Organizer, CompuServe, OAG FlightDisk and
Second Nature Screen Saver.

HiNote and HiNote Ultra are covered by Digital's worldwide three-year
limited warranty. Digital's Passport service, offering seven day - 24
hour, toll free phone support with 48-hour repair and free courier pick up
and delivery service, is offered free-of-charge for the first year in the
U.S., and is optional in other countries.

HiNote and HiNote Ultra notebooks use Intel's 3.3 volt SL enhanced Intel
SX33, DX2/50 and DX4/75 processors and include 4MB RAM, expandable to 20MB
(8MB expandable to 24MB in the HiNote Ultra CT 450 and CT 475). The
company also stated that 520MB hard drive HiNote and HiNote Ultra models
and upgrades, as well as CD-ROM/Multimedia expansion docks for the HiNote
Ultra, will be available in the Spring of 1995.

HiNote notebooks are available in November and HiNote Ultra systems will be
available in December from Digital and authorized resellers.

Digital Equipment Corporation is the world's leader in open client/server
solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide information
systems. Digital's scalable Alpha platforms, storage, networking, software
and services, together with industry-focused solutions from business
partners, help organizations compete and win in today's global
marketplace.

Sales information may be obtained by calling the Digital PCatalog at
1-800-722-9332.

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