Compaq Computer Corporation Announces Two New Systems That Extend Its Lead In High-Performance 80386-Based Personal Computers

NEW YORK, June 20,1988 -- PRNewswire -- Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ), today extended its lead as the primary supplier of high-performance business personal computers with the introduction of two new additions to its family of 80386-based personal computers. The new systems are the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25TM, the most powerful personal computer available in the world, and the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386sTM, the first personal computer to use the new Intel 386SXTM microprocessor.

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 combines Intel Corporation's most advanced 80386 processor, the new 25 MHz Intel 386, with the Compaq Flex Architecture, which makes use of the 25 MHz Intel 82385 cache memory controller to deliver the highest level of personal computer system performance available. The 32-bit COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s utilizes the new Intel 386SX microprocessor and many standard integrated features, such as high performance VGA graphics, to deliver 80386 technology to a broad range of general business personal computer users for the first time.

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 Model 300 features a 300-Megabyte fixed disk drive and has a suggested resale price of $13,299 (U.S.), and the Model 110 has a 110-Megabyte fixed disk drive and has a suggested resale price of $10,299 (U.S.). Suggested resale prices of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s Models 1, 20 and 40 are $3,799, $4,499 and $5,199, respectively. First shipments of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 and COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s have already begun to Authorized COMPAQ Dealers worldwide.

Speaking today at a New York press conference, Rod Canion, president and chief executive officer, Compaq Computer Corporation, said, "Compaq has led the industry into the 386 generation of personal computing. The products we are introducing today extend that lead by setting two new standards. The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 sets a new performance standard for 386 computers. The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s sets a new standard for 386-generation accessibility. Each is a major step forward in the continuing revolution that has established the general-purpose, industry-standard personal computer as the true universal workstation for information processing."

Compaq provides the broadest line of high-performance 80386- based personal computers to meet varying needs of business personal computer users. The company is also the leading supplier of 80386-based business PCs. In September 1986 Compaq first introduced the successful 16 MHz COMPAQ DESKPRO 386R, which soon became the standard by which all other 386 personal computers were measured. When many manufacturers were beginning to offer their first 386-based personal computers, Compaq brought to market the second generation of 386 technology with the 20 MHz COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20TM and the COMPAQ PORTABLE 386TM, the most powerful personal computer for its size. These systems quickly set new performance standards for desktop and portable personal computing. COMPAQ 80386-based personal computers comprise 75 percent of all 80386-based personal computer sales through dealers in the U.S. since 1986, according to StoreBoard, Inc., a market research firm based in Richardson, Texas.

UP TO 1.2 GIGABYTES OF STORAGE

Compaq also announced today an external fixed disk drive option. For networking, multi-user environments and specialized applications that require very large amounts of data storage, the COMPAQ 300-/600-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive Expansion Unit was announced as an option for the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25, COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20 and COMPAQ DESKPRO 386. The optional expansion unit features one high-performance, full-height 300-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive and is expandable to include a second 300-Megabyte option. Up to four 300-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drives can be run simultaneously in two expansion units without a loss in performance, allowing more than 1.2 gigabytes of total storage capacity. The unit comes with a power supply, its own controller board and a four-foot signal cable. Authorized COMPAQ Computer Dealers worldwide will have this new option in August for a suggested resale price of $6,999 (U.S.).

NEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE 80386 PERSONAL COMPUTERS

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 is the world's most powerful personal computer and is faster than many workstations and minicomputers. It incorporates the new 25 MHz Intel 386 microprocessor and 25 MHz 82385 cache memory controller operating with the proven Compaq Flex Architecture. The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 runs up to 60 percent faster than 20 MHz non-cache 80386-based systems, such as the 20 MHz IBM PS/2R Model 80-111 and the recently introduced IBM PS/2 Model 70-121.

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s is the first 32-bit personal computer incorporating the 16 MHz Intel 386SX microprocessor. As the new entry level 80386-based PC in the COMPAQ line of high performance personal computers, the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s delivers 80386 technology to a broad range of general business personal computer users for the first time. The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s provides greater overall storage capacity, better expansion capability, and from 35 percent to 60 percent better system performance than 10 MHz 80286-based personal computers including the IBM PS/2 Model 50 Z. The high-performance VGA graphics controller built onto the system board delivers up to 50 percent faster performance than IBM PS/2 personal computers.

Both the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 and COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s are capable of running current software developed for MS-DOSR, Microsoft Windows/386, Microsoft Operating System/2 and UNIX/XENIX operating systems. Both systems can run future software programs being developed specifically for 32-bit 80386-based personal computers, which 80286-based computers cannot run. In addition, all models of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 and COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s are compatible with today's 8-/16-bit industry-standard peripheral devices and add-in boards.

COMPAQ DESKPRO 286 PRICE REDUCED

With these additions to the most comprehensive line of 80386-based personal computers, Compaq also announced a seven percent reduction in the price of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 286R Model 40, from $4,499 (U.S.) to $4,199 (U.S.). Prices of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 286 Models 1 and 20 did not change.

Compaq Computer Corporation is the leading supplier of 80386-based business PCs with the 25 MHz 80386-based COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25, the 20 MHz COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20 and COMPAQ PORTABLE 386, the 16 MHz COMPAQ DESKPRO 386 and the 16 MHz 80386SX-based COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s. Other Compaq products include the 12 MHz 80286-based COMPAQ PORTABLE IIIR, and COMPAQ DESKPRO 286, the 80286-based COMPAQ PORTABLE IIR and the 8086-based COMPAQ DESKPROR.

COMPAQ, COMPAQ DESKPRO, COMPAQ DESKPRO 286, COMPAQ PORTABLE II, COMPAQ PORTABLE III and COMPAQ DESKPRO 386 are registered trademarks and COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20, COMPAQ PORTABLE 386, COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s AND COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 are trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation. R -- Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Intel is a registered trademark and Intel 386SX is a trademark of Intel Corporation.

MS, MS-DOS and Microsoft are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. MS OS/2 is a product of Microsoft Corporation.

IBM PS/2 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

/CONTACT: Bob Beach of Compaq Computer Corporation, 713-955-3645; or Nancy Tully or Mel Webster of Miller Communications, 617-536-0470, or Tom Pearson of Pearson Communications (electronic media), 215-648-3975, both for Compaq Computer Corporation.