Dell Computer Corp. Introduces New 25 MHZ Personal Computer

Austin, Texas -- November 14, 1988 -- PRNewswire -- Combining innovation with technology, Dell Computer Corporation (NASDAQ: DELL) announced today that it will introduce its 25 MHz 80386-based personal computer, the Dell System 325, on the first day (Nov. 14) of the COMDEX/Fall computer exhibition in Las Vegas. Orders for the Dell System 325 will begin shipping in December 1988.

The company will display the System 325 during the week of Nov. 14 at the Las Vegas Hilton Pavilion, booth number H7330.

The System 325 uses the Intel(R) 25MHz 386(TM) microprocessor to achieve the highest processing power available to the end user. "The state-of-the-art technological design for the System 325 addresses the needs of customers demanding the utmost performance in personal computing," said Michael S. Dell, the company's chairman and chief executive officer. "The system is targeted at experienced power users in office, data processing, financial, engineering, manufacturing and accounting environments."

The microprocessing capability combined with an advanced cache memory controller and high performance disk drives positions the System 325 as an ideal network file server. The System 325 also has built-in support for advanced math coprocessors to process the most complex spreadsheets and databases.

"High performance, speed, quality and reliability are why most of our systems are sold to repeat customers," said Dell. "Like other Dell personal computers, the System 325 is designed to integrate these factors. Add price to the list of criteria and you have the price/performance leader in 80386-based personal computing, maintaining compatibility with today's and tomorrow's advanced user environments."

The System 325 has been tested on accepted standard benchmark programs and consistently delivered a higher system performance rating when compared to performance ratings of the 25 MHz Compaq 386/25.

The system features an advanced 32-bit architecture, the Intel 82385 cache memory controller and page mode interleaved memory. These features provide nearly zero wait state operation and enable the system 325 to run up to 20 percent faster than 20MHz 386-based personal computers.

The System 325 comes standard with one or four megabytes (MB) of ramdom access memory (RAM) that is expandable to 16 MB using a dedicated high-speed 32-bit memory slot. Additional standard features include the Intel 82385 cache memory controller with 32 KB of high speed static RAM cache; page mode interleaved memory architecture; a high performance 16-bit video adapter for VGA monitors; a socket for the 25 MHz Intel 80387 or the 25 MHz WEITEK 3167 math coprocessor; 5.25-inch 1.2 MB or 3.5-inch 1.44 MB diskett drives; an enhanced 101-key keyboard; one parallel and two serial ports; a 200 watt power supply and eight industry expansion slots. Options for the System 325 include the 25 MHz-Intel 80387 math coprocessor a 1 MB or 4 MB memory upgrade kit; and a 2 MB or 8 MB memory expansion board kit.

The System 325 is available with a 150 MB or 322 MB ESDI hard disk drive and a VGA Monochrome or VGA Color Plus monitor. Prices for the system begin at $6999 for a VGA Monochrome monitor/150 MB hard drive configuration with 1 MB RAM to $11,399 for a VGA Color Plus monitor/322 MB hard drive system with 4 MB RAM.

The System 325 is compatible with Dell Enhanced MS-DOS(R) 4.0 and Dell Enhanced MS(R)OS/2 Standard Edition.

For a limited time, customers who order the System 325 will have their choice of Microsoft(R) Word or Microsoft Excel included with their system at no charge. Microsoft Word is a full-featured word processing program that enables the user to plan, create and print professional-quality documents. The program makes it easy to generate tables of contents, indexes, access an on-line thesaurus and use columns to create professional looking documents. Microsoft Excel is a top-of-the-line integrated spreadsheet package that combines a flexible database and business graphics for high-end, power business spreadsheet users. Both programs provide output of the highest quality by taking full advantage of laser printers.

The System 325 is backed by a 30-day total satisfaction guarantee, toll-free technical support, and a one-year on-site service contract that is included in the purchase price of the computer. The service contract can be extended up to five years through Dell Computer Corporation.

The system 325 can be leased through Leasing Group Inc., an independent leasing agent that is associated with Dell Computer Corporation.

Prices for a 36-month lease start at a monthly rate of $250 for a VGA Monochrome monitor/150 MB hard drive configuration with 1 MB RAM to a monthly rate of $344 for a VGA Color Plus monitor/322 MB hard drive system with 4 MB RAM. Tax is not included in these prices.

The System 325 is a FCC Class A device intended for business use only.

Dell Computer Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports a complete line of personal computers compatible with standards established by IBM(R). The company also markets a complete line of personal computer products including software, printers, monitors, peripherals and accessories.

/NOTE: Compaq is a trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. Intel is a registered trademark and 386 is a trademark of Intel Corporation. MS, MS-DOS and Microsoft are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

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CONTACT: Brian K. Fawkes of Dell Computer Corporation, 512-338-4400/

(DELL) AS -- LA036 -- 4015 11-10-88 19:20 EST