Compaq to unveil new build-to-order desktop PCs
By Richard Melville
NEW YORK, Sept 28 (Reuter) - Compaq Computer Corp (CPQ) plans to unveil four personal computers aimed at businesses Monday, adding new features and completing the overhaul of its corporate desktop line.
The roll-out puts Compaq's entire line of Deskpro business computers on the build-to-order method it adopted just three months ago in an effort to better compete against direct marketers such as Dell Computer Corp (DELL).
Under build-to-order, companies assemble and price systems based on components and specifications selected by customers.
``We started that process in July and with this release our whole Deskpro line is build-to-order,'' Tim Harris, vice president of Compaq's desktop PC division, said. ``Eventually this will be taken across the full line of Compaq products.''
Harris declined to comment on how the new approach had affected pricing for the new models. Last week, however, the company cited the new strategy as part of the reason for its price cuts of up to 15 percent on older Deskpro models.
The new PCs offer more power and flexibility than older models, Harris said, drawing their enhanced performance from processors in Intel Corp's (INTC) Pentium II family and a new advanced graphics chipset.
The systems also include features Compaq calls Enhanced Intelligent Manageability that it says extend the command and control of corporate networks over individual systems.
The controls can be used for various purposes, from switching one or many individual systems off at the start of a weekend to disabling floppy drives on selected computers to protect against the potential introduction of a virus.
``It's very focused to making the life of the (information technology) manager extremely simple,'' Harris said.
The new products will be available Monday, he said. Models include Deskpro 2000, 4000 and 6000 desktops with Pentium II processors at 233 megahertz (MHz), 266 MHz and 300 MHz.
The models come pre-installed with Microsoft Corp's (MSFT) Windows NT Workstation 4.0 operating system and are priced starting at $1,739 for the 2000 line, $1,849 for the 4000 line and $2,399 for the fullest-featured 6000 line.
A fourth new offering, the Deskpro 4000S, is aimed at the so-called NetPC sector, and starts at $1,099. The systems include enhanced features, but use Pentium I processors with Intel's MMX multimedia technology and are built into the smaller shells Compaq uses to build its network computer line.
In contrast to so-called network computers -- a class of products intended purely for network or Internet connection purposes -- the line is available with floppy and CD-ROM drives. |
