Compaq Computer Corporation Expands 386 Leadership With New 386-Based Personal Computer

HOUSTON, Sept. 19, 1988 -- PRNewswire -- Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today expanded its leadership in high performance 386-based personal computers with the introduction of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e personal computer, a 32-bit 386-based computer designed to meet the growing performance requirements of today's 286-based personal computer users.

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e utilizes the speed and performance of the 20 MHz Intel 386 microprocessor and incorporates the COMPAQ Flexible Advanced Systems (Flex) Architecture, which provides a high-speed 32-bit memory bus enabling the microprocessor to interact with memory at its maximum clock speed. The Flex Architecture also provides a separate industry-standard peripheral expansion bus compatible with today's popular 8- and 16-bit add-on boards and peripherals. This multiple-bus approach allows the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e to deliver the benefits of the 20 MHz 386 processor while ensuring complete compatibility with the thousands of industry-standard peripherals that already exist. The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e delivers up to 50 percent better system performance over 16-MHz 386-based personal computers such as the 16 MHz IBM PS/2 Model 70-E61, and up to 25 percent better performance over other 20-MHz 386-based PCs, such as the 20 MHz IBM PS/2 Model 70-121 and IBM PS/2 Model 80-111.

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e provides more standard features and delivers all of the capabilities of Compaq Computer Corporation's larger 386-based personal computers in a smaller system unit. The sleek, smaller footprint design of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e takes up less space to allow convenient use on smaller work surfaces where other desktop personal computers won't fit. An integrated high-performance VGA graphics controller, which delivers 50 percent better performance than IBM PS/2 personal computers, comes standard with the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e.

Three models of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e personal computer, Models 1, 40 and 110, are available through Authorized COMPAQ Computer Dealers worldwide. Model 1 comes with a 1.2-Megabyte Diskette Drive and one megabyte of RAM and has a suggested resale price of $5,199 (U.S.). Model 40 includes a 40-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive and has a suggested resale price of $6,599 (U.S.). Model 110 includes a 110-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive and has a suggested resale price of $7,999 (U.S.).

Performance-conscious users moving up from a 286-based PC will find the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e ideal for sophisticated spreadsheet and advanced database applications as well as for technical applications such as CAD/CAE. The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e comes standard with a 5 1/4-inch Diskette Drive and accepts industry-standard peripherals, so users moving up to this 386-based personal computer will find it an easy transition from their current computing environment.

Speaking at a press conference at the Company's headquarters in Houston, Texas, Compaq Computer Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer, Rod Canion, said, "In the two years since we pioneered the 386 revolution, Compaq has continued to deliver new industry-standard products with the latest advances in 386 technology and performance that preserve users' investment in current software and hardware peripherals. The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e opens up the power and performance of the 386 microprocessor to sophisticated users who have outgrown 286-based personal computers."

Canion added, "Compaq continues to lead the industry by supplying more than half of the 386-based products sold to users by dealers in the U.S. through the first half of this year." The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e runs the thousands of MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows/386 and UNIX/XENIX applications designed for industry-standard personal computers. It will also run new applications being developed for these operating systems and environments and for applications being designed for Microsoft Operating System/2. Compaq offers MS-DOS Version 3.3, as published by Compaq, and Microsoft Operating System/2 Standard Version 1.0, as published by Compaq, for use with the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e.

ADVANCED FEATURES

The major system components of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e have been designed to maximize overall system performance, while the balanced system architecture ensures optimal performance of the processor, memory and subsystems.

-- MEMORY -- The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e comes with one megabyte of 32-bit RAM on the system board and provides expansion for an additional 15 megabytes of RAM in one high-speed 32-bit expansion slot. A 20-MHz Intel 82385 Cache Memory Controller and 32 Kbytes of high-speed static cache memory speed memory access to allow the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e to operate at its full 20-MHz speed and provide zero wait state performance 95 percent of the time.

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e includes the COMPAQ Expanded Memory Manager (CEMM), which takes advantage of applications that support the Lotus/Intel/Microsoft (LIM) Expanded Memory Specification to go beyond the 640-Kbyte MS-DOS memory limitation.

-- VIDEO -- All models of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e include a high-performance 16-bit video graphics controller built onto the system board, leaving expansion slots open for additional expansion required by sophisticated business users. The high-performance VGA controller is fully compatible with the VGA standard yet it delivers up to 50 percent faster performance than the VGA graphics in IBM PS/2 personal computers.

-- DATA STORAGE -- The 110-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive in the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e Model 110 has an average access time of less than 25 milliseconds and features a 1:1 interleave factor and a "look-ahead" buffer with 32 Kbytes of memory and a 10 mbit/second data transfer rate. The 40-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive in the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e Model 40 has an average access time of less than 29 milliseconds and also features a 1:1 interleave factor, built-in data buffering and an 8 mbit/second data transfer rate. Both the 110- and 40-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drives use very large scale integration (VLSI) technology to integrate the buffer and drive controller on the fixed disk drive itself. In addition, the fixed disk drive interface on the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e is integrated onto the system board, saving an expansion slot. The performance of the fixed disk drives in the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e is additionally enhanced with the use of the COMPAQ Disk Cache utility. Disk caching stores frequently accessed disk information in memory to accelerate subsequent accesses. This utility also includes a queued write feature that improves system performance by storing information written by an application into memory until the fixed disk drive is ready to receive the information.

-- COPROCESSORS -- The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e offers flexibility for high-performance numeric computation by providing a socket for the optional installation of either a 20-MHz Intel 387 or Weitek 3167 coprocessor. A COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e equipped with the 20-MHz 387 coprocessor delivers a performance level traditionally associated with specialized engineering and scientific workstations at a more reasonable price/performance value for business applications.

The Weitek 3167 coprocessor provides significant performance advantages over a 20-MHz 387 coprocessor for specialized applications such as scientific and technical analysis.

BUILT-IN FEATURES

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e offers better data storage flexibility than other 20-MHz 386-based desktop PCs, such as the IBM PS/2 Model 70-121, by providing room for up to four internal storage devices. A 40- or 110-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive is standard in the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e Models 40 and 110, respectively, and optional 40- and 110-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drives can be added for a total fixed disk drive capacity of up to 220 megabytes.

All models of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e come standard with a 5 1/4-inch 1.2-Megabyte Diskette Drive. Users can also choose to add an optional 5 1/4-inch 360 Kbyte Diskette Drive or a 3 1/2-inch 1.44-Megabyte Diskette Drive to suit their own media requirements.

Fixed disk drive backup capability can be added to the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e with an optional 135- or 40-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive Backup (Tape) option.

Both tape backup systems feature automatic error correction to ensure data integrity.

Additional integrated features include a high-performance fixed disk drive interface, an auxiliary input interface for use with a mouse or other pointing devices and high-speed asynchronous communications and parallel interfaces for communications and printer connections.

The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e also comes with five available expansion slots -- four 8-/16-bit expansion slots that support industry-standard expansion boards, plus an additional high-speed 32-bit memory expansion slot. This allows users to expand the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e personal computer to 16 megabytes of 32- bit memory without taking up an industry-standard slot.

Design features of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e include a front-mounted power switch for easier access, an easily removable system unit cover and front-mounted storage devices that facilitate fast, simple and flexible storage expansion. The COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e is also equipped with keyboard password security software to prevent unauthorized use.

STANDARD FEATURES

All models of the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e personal computer come with 1 Megabyte of 32-bit memory, one 5 1/4-inch 1.2- Megabyte Diskette Drive and five available expansion slots -- four 8-/16-bit industry-standard expansion slots and one high- speed 32-bit memory expansion slot. Additional standard features on the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e Models 1, 40 and 110 include: 20- MHz 386 microprocessor; Intel 82385 Cache Memory Controller; socket for 20-MHz 387 Coprocessor or Weitek 3167 Coprocessor; integrated Video Graphics Controller; COMPAQ Expanded Memory Manager (CEMM) Software; disk cache software; 101-key enhanced keyboard; power-on and keyboard password security; auxiliary input interface (for use with a mouse or other pointing devices); parallel interface; asynchronous communications (serial) interface; real-time clock/calendar; security keylock; 140-Watt steady-state power supply; and a full one-year limited warranty.

OPTIONS

Options for the COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e personal computer include: 20-MHz 387 Coprocessor; Weitek 3167 Coprocessor; 4- Megabyte 32-bit Memory Expansion Board; 1-Megabyte 32-bit Memory Expansion Board; 4-Megabyte 32-bit Memory Module; 1-Megabyte 32- bit Memory Module; 5 1/4-inch 1.2-Megabyte Diskette Drive; 5 1/4- inch 360-Kbyte Diskette Drive; 3 1/2-inch 1.44-Megabyte Diskette Drive; 110-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive; 40-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive; 20-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive; COMPAQ 300-/600-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive Expansion Unit; 135-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive Backup (Tape); 40-Megabyte Fixed Disk Drive Backup (Tape); Asynchronous Communications/Parallel Printer Board; COMPAQ Video Graphics Color Monitor; COMPAQ Video Graphics Monochrome Monitor; 2400-Baud Internal Modem; 135-Megabyte Tape Cartridges (DC 600XTD); 40-Megabyte Tape Cartridges (DC 2000); MS-DOS/BASIC Version 3, as published by Compaq; Microsoft Operating System/2 Standard Version 1.0, as published by Compaq; and COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e Technical Reference Guide.

Compaq Computer Corporation is the leading supplier of PCs based on the Intel 386 microprocessor with the 25-MHz COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25, the 20-MHz COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e and COMPAQ PORTABLE 386, and the 16-MHz Intel 386SX-based COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s. Other COMPAQ products include: the 80286-based 12-MHz COMPAQ DESKPRO 286 and COMPAQ PORTABLE III, and 8-MHz COMPAQ PORTABLE II; and the 8086 microprocessor-based COMPAQ DESKPRO. ----

NOTE: COMPAQ, COMPAQ DESKPRO, COMPAQ DESKPRO 286, COMPAQ PORTABLE II and COMPAQ PORTABLE III are registered trademarks and COMPAQ PORTABLE 386, COMPAQ DESKPRO 386s, COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/20e and COMPAQ DESKPRO 386/25 are trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation.

Intel is a registered trademark and Intel 386, Intel 387 and Intel 386SX are trademarks of Intel Corporation.

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

Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

R -- Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

/CONTACT: Bob Beach of Compaq Computer, 713-955-3644; Nancy Tulley of Miller Communications, 617-536-0470; or Tom Pearson of Pearson Communications, 215-648-3975, both for Compaq Computer/