Greg,
IBM Aptiva is the first in the PC Industry to Deliver 266MHz K6 Processor Performance to the Consumer Market
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 1997 -- With Two New Models in its Popular Aptiva(R) E Series Lineup, IBM(R) Delivers Outstanding Multimedia Performance at a Great Price;IBM today announced the Aptiva E26 and E46, two new models of its award-winning Aptiva family of home PCs. Developed to deliver superior multimedia performance at competitive prices, these new models demonstrate IBM Aptiva's commitment to deliver technology leadership across its entire product line.
"Today's expansion of our very popular Aptiva E Series gives us among the most competitively priced and best configured systems in the consumer marketplace," said Brian Connors, vice president and general manager for IBM Aptiva. "With some retailers pricing our Aptiva E16 at $799 and E Series models ranging up to $1599 with the new E46, we continue to offer consumers outstanding value in a home PC across the price spectrum."
As the first PC to be equipped with the new IBM K6 266MHz(1) MMX(TM)-Enhanced processor, the Aptiva E46 brings the ultimate in Socket 7 processor technology to consumers at an outstanding price. Starting at $1599(2), the E46 presents consumers with leading multimedia technologies including hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, a
high-speed 24Xmax - 10Xmin CD-ROM(3) drive, SRS(TM) surround sound audio and 2MB(4) of video memory. Also contributing to the outstanding features of the Aptiva E46 are a 4GB(5) hard drive, 32MB of memory, a K56 Flex modem(6) and 256Kb of L2 cache. Combined with the extremely affordable price of the E46, these features make it a great buy for families looking for the latest in home computing technologies that fits within their budget. The Aptiva E46 will be
available in 1Q 1998.
With a fast IBM K6 233 MHz MMX-Enhanced processor, the Aptiva E26 is once again out front in delivering category-leading technologies at a truly affordable price. First introduced on Aptiva systems in September 1997, the 233 MHz K6 processor in the E26 is accompanied by such outstanding technologies as: 24X Max * 10X Min CD-ROM drive, K56 Flex modem and 64-bit 3D graphics featuring the ATI Rage II+ with Direct 3D. The Aptiva E26 is priced at just $1,099 and is available at
retail stores nationwide.
"We see the IBM Aptiva E Series as being one of the strongest low cost lines of PCs available to consumers," said Stephen Baker, senior hardware analyst for PC Data. "Following the introduction of the E Series in late third quarter 1997, IBM saw unit sales jump more than 85% from October to November."
Initially introduced in limited markets during the spring of 1997, the Aptiva E Series continues to gain popularity and expand its market presence across the globe. In addition to the new IBM Aptiva E26 and E46 models, available in the United States and Canada, IBM Aptiva models with both the 233 MHz and 266 MHz K6 processors will be available in markets around the world in coming weeks and months.
All Aptiva PCs are backed by IBM's award-winning services and support,
providing consumers with the assurance that they are getting a quality home computer. In addition, IBM Aptivas that are purchased during the months of January and February, come with a one-year, fee-waived $100 membership in IBM's new Owner Privileges(7) program.
Owner Privileges delivers valuable benefits to Aptiva owners in four key areas: service, protection, discounts and advice. Within these four areas, IBM provides Aptiva users with: preferred call handling to the IBM HelpCenter and E-Mails to alert members on technical issues; special deals on accessories and software, as well as a cyber-library
of articles that teach members how to do more with their Aptiva; protection from technology obsolescence by providing free downloads of select Aptiva operating software and compatibility information and training that enables them to get more from their home computing experience. For more information, call 1-888-Privileges or visit the web site at "http://www.pc.ibm.com/privileges" The IBM Aptiva family has been widely recognized by noted industry publications and associations, including ComputerLife, Family PC and HomePC for its
leading-edge technology, robust software and innovative design. Over the past year IBM Aptiva has won numerous awards and industry accolades, including the IDEA (Industrial Design Excellence Award) from BusinessWeek and the Industrial Designers Society of America, the iF (industrie Forum) Product Design award at CeBIT, PC/Computing's "1996 MVP Award," Popular Science's "Best of What's New Award," Windows Sources' "Stellar Award," and the Consumer Electronics Show
(CES) "Innovations Award" for both 1996 and 1997. Additionally, IBM recently won the 1997 PC Magazine Readers' Choice award for service and reliability, making this IBM's fifth year in a row to win this award. For more information about IBM Aptiva PCs, visit the IBM Aptiva home page on the World Wide Web at "http://www.us.pc.ibm.com/aptiva" or call 1-800-426-7235 ext. 4340.
IBM, Aptiva, and Owner Privileges are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation K6 is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. MMX is a trademark of Intel Corporation All other trademarks and registered trademarks are properties of their respective owners
1 - Internal clock speed only, not application performance; many factors affect application performance
2 - All prices are estimated reseller prices to end users; actual reseller prices may vary. Prices do not include monitor.
3 - Variable read rate. Actual playback speed will vary and is often
less than maximum.
4 - MB = Megabytes or Millions of bytes of information.
5 - GB = One billion bytes when referring to hard drive capacity.
Accessible capacity may be less.
6 - K56 Flex modems are designed to be capable of receiving data up to 56 Kbps from a K56 Flex compatible service provider and transmitting data up to 33.6 Kbps; public networks currently limit maximum download speeds to about 53 Kbps; actual speeds depend on many factors and are often less than the maximum possible.
7 - IBM Owner Privileges is available exclusively for Aptiva owners.
First-year membership fee of $100 US/$130 CAN is waived for consumers who purchase and register their Aptiva from September 4, 1997 through March 1, 1998. Membership is valid for one year from date of purchase of the Aptiva. Membership renewal may be purchased for $20 US/$25 CAN for one-year term upon expiration of the first-year membership. Preferred call handling is not available during renewal period. Membership in Owner Privileges does not extend warranty enrollment in any way. Registration of the Aptiva is a condition to obtain membership. The Owner Privileges program is available only in the United States and Canada. Terms and conditions are included in a
membership kit; please review carefully. IBM reserves the right to
change, modify or cancel this program at any time.
CONTACT: Andrew Hayden
IBM Media Relations
(914) 766-3716
HREF="mailto:haydena@us.ibm.com">haydena@us.ibm.com
KEYWORD: NORTH CAROLINA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET COMED PRODUCT |
