IBM's Aptiva Home Computer Helps You Explore New Worlds

Total Image Video, TheatreSound, Voice Recognition, Voice-Over-Data Phone
Support Top List of Features

SOMERS, NY, Sept. 11 . . . IBM today introduced its new Aptiva personal
computer--a home PC packed with high quality video and CD-quality sound,
voice recognition, powerful communications, exciting software, and
round-the-clock support offerings -- all at affordable prices.

Aptiva capitalizes on the MPEG (Motion Pictures Experts Group) standard by
using an IBM-designed "media processor" along with a powerful Pentium
processor to dramatically improve the audio and video experience. Because
two processors share the work normally tackled by a single processor,
Aptiva provides full-motion, full-screen video and rich, stereo-quality
sound without sacrificing performance. Aptiva's improved sight and sound,
dubbed Total Image Video and TheatreSound, means users no longer have to
struggle with video the size of a postage stamp or poor-quality audio.

Easy-to-use, pre-loaded Internet access services and fast modems will give
any household the ability to cruise the "World Wide Web." This sleek,
multi-purpose machine, powered by today's fastest processors, is also
backed by a new level in IBM service and support. A single phone line
connects Aptiva users to skilled technicians who, when authorized, can
"look" inside the computer and repair most problems while the customer and
technician talk on the same phone line.

"Whether you use Aptiva to research vacation spots on the Web, manage home
finances, do homework, or sink submarines, Aptiva's video and sound
enhancements make it the most engaging and entertaining way to explore new
worlds of interactive computing," said Jose Garcia, general manager,
consumer desktop systems. "And if you run into a snag on the journey,
we've made it easier than ever to get it fixed by IBM technicians,
around-the-clock."

APTIVA IS FUN

The Aptiva PC comes with a rich array of MPEG titles for hours of
entertainment. Unlike some other vendors who offer only a sample, IBM
delivers the complete version of "Silent Steel", a thrilling interactive
MPEG game which takes full advantage of Aptiva's multimedia capabilities
for jaw-dropping results. It's part of a great selection of MPEG titles
that ship with Aptiva. Users can browse through favorite movie clips with
"The Blockbuster Movie Guide to Movies and Videos", stroll down memory
lane with "The Face of Life", a collection of Life magazine covers and
photos and old newsreels, watch the first moon landing with "Dreams of
Flight" or vicariously soar through the skies with a precision sky-diving
team in "The Flight of the Dream Team."

In addition to the MPEG titles, Aptiva provides an array of multimedia
software. Children will enjoy learning about the environment while playing
"The Adventures of Hyperman", a popular CD-ROM game whose main character
will be featured in a CBS television cartoon this fall.

Resources like Compton's Encyclopedia put enlightening text, graphics and
photos just a keystroke away. Aptiva also comes with enjoyable games such
as "Cyberia", "Descent Shareware", "Magic Theatre" and "Undersea
Adventure".

Rounding out this impressive multimedia package are super-fast "quad speed"
CD-ROM drives and powerful minitower speakers with built-in amplifiers
that fill the room with CD-quality sound.

APTIVA IS COOL

What could be cooler than a computer you can talk to -- and one that
responds? IBM's voice recognition technology, VoiceType Control, standard
on all models, gives users the ability to issue simple commands by voice
-- such as "save file" or "open document" -- or even to write a check. It
represents the beginning of a major change in the way you work with your
computer.

In addition, IBM's VoiceType Dictation, designed for selected Aptiva
systems, recognizes entire phrases spoken at a natural pace. It recognizes
almost anyone speaking English without special training for tone or speech
patterns.

APTIVA IS SERIOUS

The Aptiva PC is also a serious tool that can help manage the household or
form the hub of any home communication center. Powered by Pentium
processors ranging in speed from 75 megahertz (MHz) to 133 MHz, the Aptiva
PC features generous storage for today's demanding applications -- up to
1.6 gigabytes (GB). All models include IBM's Mwave media processor with a
fast 28.8 kilobits per second (kbps) data modem, making it faster and
easier to browse online services or the Internet.

In addition to raw computing power, Aptiva will give everyone the latest in
built-in phone power with the Communication Center. This full-function
phone system gives instant access to personalized, private voice mail for
each member of the household. The computer's full-duplex speakerphone
makes speaking hands-free easy for everyone.

Wake Up on Ring helps set the Aptiva PC apart--it detects an incoming call
and turns itself on to answer the phone, taking a message or receiving a
fax, and then shuts itself off. Other PCs without this feature require
users to leave the machines on all the time.

In addition to a variety of pre-loaded financial and productivity software
(Intuit's Quicken SE for finances, for example), the Aptiva PC features
"Scheduler", an application which exploits IBM's exclusive Wake Up on Ring
technology to help users keep track of events around the country.
Scheduler allows a user to program Aptiva to create a personalized,
up-to-date newspaper. Working in conjunction with the Journalist
application, the user can pre-set the Aptiva PC to collect news online at
any time, complete with photos and charts. For example, a stock aficionado
could program the Aptiva to turn itself on daily at 4:15 p.m. after the
stock market closes, collect prices of certain stocks from CompuServe, and
display them in a newspaper format ready and waiting to be read after
work. Of course, Aptiva can also be dispatched to search for other pieces
of information floating in cyberspace.

APTIVA IS PRODUCTIVE

Aptiva comes with over $1,400 in software -- more than 40 software titles
-- including Quicken for Windows Special Edition, Journalist for
CompuServe, Wall Street Money, America Online, CompuServe and Prodigy
trial subscriptions, Music Mentor, Midisoft Recording Session,
AudioStation, Monologue for Windows, and Magic Theatre, along with the
MPEG and multimedia titles mentioned above. Aptiva is pre-loaded with OS/2
Warp and PC DOS 7.0-Windows 3.11 or Windows 95.

WE'RE THERE WHEN YOU NEED US

Aptiva users are never alone, any time of day or night. Every Aptiva comes
loaded with IBM's OnLine Housecall, a service that allows IBM technicians
to diagnose and repair customer problems via modem. More than 95% of
customer problems diagnosed with OnLine Housecall are fixed remotely by
IBM technicians. New this year is voice-over-data technology, which,
simply put, means that when authorized, a technician can dial-in to your
PC over your regular phone line, and speak with you on Aptiva's speaker
phone while fixing the problem over the same phone line. Helpware, IBM's
award-winning service and support offering includes toll-free, 24-hour
phone hardware support during the limited* warranty period (7 days a week,
excluding certain holidays), plus IBM's three-year warranty with Express
Maintenance to replace defective components.

NEW MONITORS FOR A NEW AGE

IBM also introduced today a new line of general purpose monitors that take
full advantage of Aptiva's eye-popping video capabilities. The sleek
monitors come in a variety of sizes and provide bright, crisp images and a
superior anti-glare protective coating. They'll work on a variety of
systems.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The new Aptiva line of home computers is available at retailers across the
country and from IBM's PC Direct (800-IBM-2YOU). Reseller prices may
vary.

* One year on keyboard, mouse, speakers and microphone. Other limitations
apply. Copies of IBM's Statement of Limited Warranty are available from
resellers or from IBM directly by calling 1-800-772-2227.
 
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