Cirrus Logic Demonstrates Sub-$1000 Architecture for
Next-Generation Multimedia PCs and PC-Based
Consumer Entertainment Appliances
COMDEX (Booth No. N114, Las Vegas Convention Center)
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997--
New Windows 98-Based System Architecture Merges Multimedia-Rich PC Functionality with
VCR-Like Simplicity
Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS) today at COMDEX demonstrated its powerful new sub
$1000 system architecture that promises to speed the development and time to market of
next-generation multimedia PCs and emerging PC-based consumer entertainment appliances.
Offering VCR-like simplicity in a sealed chassis format, Cirrus Logic's sub-$1000 system
architecture is optimized for Microsoft Windows 98 and targets OEMs who wish to drive the
convergence of information, communications and entertainment functions into a low-cost,
easy-to-use platform.
"Our new system architecture raises the bar on feature sets for the sub-$1000 multimedia PC," said
George Alexy, chief products and marketing officer in Cirrus Logic's Office of the President. He also
notes that the company's new architecture will enable $500-to-$1000 PCs to reach the market as
early as 1998, and that these new low-cost entries will pack greater multimedia functionality than
current PCs priced in the $3,000-to $4,000 range.
"This reference design leverages Cirrus Logic's CrystalClear(TM) audio, Laguna3D(TM) graphics
and FastPath(TM) telephony platforms and embodies our vision of how sub-$1000 PCs and
PC-based consumer entertainment appliances will emerge in 1998 and beyond."
Will Strauss, president and principal market analyst for industry research firm Forward Concepts
added, "Cirrus Logic's low-cost reference design provides the multimedia functionality required to
enable rapid growth of the sub-$1000 PC market. Clearly, the consumer demand for entertainment
appliances that incorporate PC multimedia functionality and Internet access is exploding and the low
price point will make buying decisions easy."
SUB-$1000 FEATURE SET
Cirrus Logic's sub-$1000 system architecture brings together, in a single integrated system design,
the company's key technology platforms -- audio, 2D/3D graphics and modems. The robust,
hardware-accelerated feature set includes Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio, 3D/AGP graphics, TV
tuner/TV-out, DVD support, 56K Internet access, USB and 1394 external bus support and
ACPI/OnNow -- offering OEMs a dynamic architecture for developing low-cost multimedia PCs
and PC-based consumer entertainment appliances. Cirrus Logic noted that its new sub-$1000
architecture deploys the company's PC product platforms and offers a significant opportunity for
high levels of system integration.
Cirrus Logic's integrated system architecture is now being offered to qualified OEM partners under
non-disclosure. Qualified OEMs will receive schematics, bill of materials and software as well as
applications and engineering support to help speed development of their specific products and
accelerate their time to market.
CIRRUS LOGIC
Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of system-level integrated circuits that demand high-performance,
mixed-signal processing. The company applies its system expertise to enable high-volume
applications in data storage, networking, and multimedia for both computing and consumer
electronics markets as well as ultra-precision data acquisition applications for industrial automation
and instrumentation markets.
Cirrus Logic news releases may be obtained by fax by dialing 800/359-6414, or by dialing
510/249-4200 from outside the United States, or via the Internet on the world wide web at
cirrus.com
Note to Editors: Cirrus Logic is a registered trademark and CrystalCLear, Laguna3D and FastPath
are trademarks of Cirrus Logic, Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of
their respective holders.
CONTACT: Tsantes & Associates
Christian Bateman, 408/369-1500
chris@tsantes.com
or
Cirrus Logic Inc.
Jeff Sasagawa, 510/624-7087
jeffs@corp.cirrus.com
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