T. - Re: "Does anyone else wonder why Compaq doesn't offer K6 based systems on their online store if they are selling so well in retail? "
No - but I haven't heard the Compaq K6's are selling that well.
Two days ago they issued a rather unprecedented press release giving Benchmark comparisons of the k6 machines vs. Hewlett Packard and Packard Bell PCs of the same price range.
It appeared from that press release that the K6's needed some serious "support" in the market place.
Paul
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biz.yahoo.com
Thursday February 26, 9:08 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Compaq Presario PCs Perform Up To 34 Percent Faster
Than Competitive Models in Independent Tests
Compaq Presario 2240 at $799(a) Performs Faster Than $999 Packard
Bell S606
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 1998-- Further confirming its number one
position with consumers, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ - news) today
announced that the performance of its recently announced Presario 2240 and Presario
4540 PCs significantly outperformed the competition by up to 34 percent in recently
completed independent benchmark tests from a leading third-party testing firm(b).
According to XXCAL, an independent computer-testing lab, the Presario 2240 and
Presario 4540 sub $1,000 models performed faster than the latest competitive models with
similar processor speeds and prices from Packard Bell, Hewlett-Packard and IBM.
The XXCAL test results showed the Presario 2240 to be faster than the Packard Bell R515
and Hewlett-Packard 3260 by 26 percent and 29 percent respectively. In fact, the Presario
2240 at $799 also outperformed the Packard Bell S606 which is priced $200 higher than
the Compaq model. The XXCAL tests also showed the Presario 4540 was 34 percent
faster than the Packard Bell S606 and 17 percent faster than the IBM Aptiva E26.
''These results further emphasize Compaq's commitment to provide our customers with the
highest quality product that represents the best value,'' said Alex Gruzen, Director, Desktop
Product Marketing, Consumer Products Group, Compaq Computer Corporation. ''The fact
is undeniable that Compaq products are the best in class.''
To measure each PC's performance, XXCAL evaluated products that were available at
retail and ran Winstone(r) 98, a system-level performance test widely used in the PC
industry. This benchmark runs real 32-bit business applications through a series of scripted
activities and captures the time a PC takes to complete those activities to produce its
performance results. Each PC was administered the test a total of three times to form an
average test score. Following are the comparative results (complete test information
available upon request):
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XXCAL Performance Results
Sub $1,000 Model Presario Advantage
Compaq Presario 2240 compared to
Packard Bell R515 26%
Compaq Presario 2240 compared to
Hewlett-Packard 3260 29%
Compaq Presario 4540 compared to
Packard Bell S606 34%
Compaq Presario 4540 compared to
IBM Aptiva E26 17%
Presario 2240: Redefining standards for performance and value, the new Compaq Presario
2240, available for $799 (without monitor), is expandable and upgradeable, offering the best
combination of power, performance and affordability in a desktop. It offers powerful
multimedia performance that fits into any home or lifestyle. The Presario 2240 incorporates
a 200MHz AMD K-6(TM) MMX(TM) enhanced processor, 32MB of SyncDRAM memory,
2.1GB hard drive, one open bay and two open slots. With the Compaq Presario V410e
14-inch (13.2-inch viewable) color monitor, the total system costs only $999.
Presario 4540: Delivering uncompromising quality at the unparalleled low desktop prices at
$999 (without monitor), the Presario 4540 uses a fast 233MHz AMD K-6 MMX(TM)
Enhanced Processor, 48MB of SyncDRAM memory, and a 3.2GB hard drive, all in a sleek
minitower design. The Presario 4540 can be purchased with a choice of high-quality
Compaq Presario color multimedia monitors ranging in price from $219 to $699, including
the new Presario V410e, the Presario 1525 15-inch (13.5-inch viewable) monitor or the
Presario 1725 17-inch (15.6-inch viewable) monitor.
Compaq Extra Mile Service
All Compaq Presario home PCs, including the new 2240 and 4540 models, are covered by
Compaq's 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week customer support operations, delivering the
most comprehensive service and support in the industry. For technical support, Compaq
has added a new remote access program, specially loaded on new Presario home PCs,
that enables Compaq technicians -- with the consumer's permission -- to remotely access
the PC to troubleshoot, solve software problems and diagnose hardware issues. Compaq
multilingual telephone technical support is free during the warranty period. After the warranty
period, Presario owners can receive free technical assistance from Compaq engineers
through electronic mail (support@compaq.com) and the Compaq support areas found on
the major online services.
Company Background
Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 200 company, is a
worldwide information technology company. Compaq is the fifth largest computer company
in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. With worldwide sales of
$26.4 billion in 1997, Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions and
services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant
business-critical solutions, networking and communications products, commercial desktop
and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in
environmentally friendly programs and business practices.
Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of
authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq
and its products can be found at compaq.com or by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ.
Product information and reseller locations can be obtained by calling 1-800-345-1518.
Historical financial results have been restated to reflect the pooling of Tandem.
(a) All pricing shown herein is Compaq's or competitor's estimated U.S. selling price at the
time of this release. Actual retail pricing may vary.
(b) Winstone(r) 98 version 1.0 is a system-level, application-based benchmark that
measures a PC's overall performance when running today's top-selling Windows-based
32-bit applications. Business Winstone uses ''market-centered'' tests to represent the
overall system performance. This test was run comparing a Compaq Presario 2240 to a
Packard Bell R515 and HP 3260 as configured at retail. The test was also run comparing a
Compaq Presario 4540 to a Packard Bell S606 and IBM Aptiva System E26. Performance
can vary with different configurations. Results are based on benchmark tests independently
run and verified by XXCAL, a computer-testing lab. XXCAL's benchmark test results are
valid only under the specific configurations as tested by XXCAL. XXCAL shall not be liable
for any incidental or consequential damages related to the dissemination of XXCAL
obtained test results. This test was performed without independent verification by Ziff-Davis.
Winstone is a registered trademark of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company in the U.S., and other
countries.
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Note to Editors: Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names
mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective
companies. AMD, the logo, and combinations thereof, AMDK-6, and the AMD K-6 logo are
trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. MMX is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
Product names mentione |
