Dell Computer introduces its fastest i486-based personal computer

33 MHZ PC offered at 25 MHZ price; price reduction on Dell System 425E announced

Business Wire

July 2, 1990

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Expanding the high-end of its product line to meet customer requirements, Dell(TM) Computer Corporation (NASDAQ:DELL) today introduced the Dell System(R) 433E, its first 33-megahertz personal computer based on the Intel(R) i486(TM) microprocessor and the 32-bit EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) bus.

In conjunction with today's announcement, the company has lowered the price on the Dell System 425E(TM), its 25-megahertz, i486-based personal computer announced in March 1990. The $1500 reduction, effective immediately, affects all standard configurations of the System 425E. The System 433E will be offered at the same price as the Dell System 425E prior to today's price reduction.

More powerful for high-performance applications

The System 433E offers the highest level of i486 performance at a price that is significantly lower than the Compaq Deskpro 486/25, an i486-based personal computer running at 25-megahertz. It also offers 25 percent to 30 percent processor performance increases over the Deskpro 486/25.

The System 433E is targeted toward the power user with high-performance applications needs such as software development, large spreadsheets for financial analysis, CAD/CAM/CAE, single and multiuser UNIX(R) applications and high-end network server applications.

Platform for UNIX environments

The System 433E can be used as a platform for the DELL Station, a fully integrated UNIX-based office automation system developed by Dell Computer Corp. A hardware/software solution for today's office environment, the DELL Station utilizes the Dell System 433E, 425E or 325, an 80386-based PC running at 25-megahertz, as powerful UNIX/MS-DOS(R) workstations. The DELL Station can stand alone as a multitasking workstation or provide upward expansion to network or traditional multiuser, terminal-based environments.

The $1500 price reduction on the System 425E also applies to the DELL Station 425E. In addition, the DELL Station 325 has been reduced $1000.

Unsurpassed price/performance for power applications

``The price and performance of the System 433E and Dell's top-rated service and support provide an outstanding value for applications that demand very high computation power and high-speed, large capacity storage,'' said Joel J. Kocher, senior vice president of U.S. sales and operations.

For industry-wide compatibility, the System 433E features high-performance 32-bit EISA bus support with six EISA and two ISA expansion slots for industry standard expansion boards.

In addition, the System 433E is fully compatible with MS-DOS, MS(R)-OS/2 and Dell UNIX System V. Dell UNIX System V is compatible with the AT&T(R) System V Interface Definition and will run most 386/ix, SCO UNIX and XENIX(R) applications. Dell also provides support for Novell(R) NOS (Network Operating System) and other network operating system environments.

EISA bus provides industry-standard access to expanded capabilities

The System 433E supports the open standards EISA bus providing access to both ISA boards and the emerging market of high-performance EISA board offerings. ``The System 433E is positioned as an evolutionary extension to Dell's current high-end product line,'' said G. Glenn Henry, senior vice president of Dell's product group. ``The System 433E lets you take advantage of the highest level of power in a personal computer today with the i486 processor and the currently available EISA cards.''

Configurations and pricing

The System 433E comes standard with four megabytes of RAM; expandable to 16 megabytes on the system board; a high-performance 16-bit VGA controller, a 5.25-inch 1.2 megabyte or 3.5-inch 1.44 megabyte diskette drive; a 101-key keyboard; eight expansion slots (six EISA master slots and two ISA slots); one parallel and two serial ports, and a 230-watt power supply.

Options for the System 433E include two and four megabyte memory expansion kits. Mass storage options are 80, 100, 190 megabyte IDE hard disk drives and 330 and 650 megabyte ESDI hard disk drives. The 330 and 650 megabyte drives operate at 15 megabits per second transfer rates and 18 and 16 millisecond access times respectively. Optional tape backup devices are also offered.

Prices for the System 433E range from $7899 for a configuration with four megabytes of RAM, a floppy disk drive, an 80 megabyte hard disk drive and a VGA monochrome monitor to $12,199 for a 650 megabyte hard disk drive and the Dell GPX-1024/16, a high-performance TI34010-based graphics board (1024 X 768 resolution) with the Dell GPD-16 inch high resolution monitor.

Complete service and support

The System 433E is backed by Dell's 30-day total satisfaction guarantee, toll-free technical support and a one-year on-site service contract included in the price of the computer. The Xerox service contract can be extended up to an additional four years through Dell Computer.

Dell Computer Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports a complete line of personal computers compatible with industry standards. The company is recognized in independent surveys as having the highest level of customer satisfaction in the industry for its line of personal computers. Dell pioneered the direct marketing of personal computers in 1984. Information on the company and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number: 800/426-5150.

CONTACT: Dell Computer Corp., Austin Brian Fawkes or Michele Moore, 512/338-4400