ATI in Compaq systems:
Here's the whole press release taken from Yahoo.
Wednesday April 15, 10:47 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Compaq To Reshape Landscape of Business Desktop Computing With New Strategy and Products
New Deskpro EN and EP Series Set New Standard for Consistent Platform and Outstanding Performance
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 1998-- In a move that will reshape the highly competitive desktop computer landscape, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ - news) today announced worldwide that it has dramatically redesigned its Compaq Deskpro family to meet the varying demands of all business customers with the highest quality, best-value desktops available today.
Compaq has redesigned and reengineered the way it manufacturers the long-standing Deskpro brand of business personal computers - the most successful and consistent desktop brand in the history of the industry, with more than 22 million Deskpro units shipped since 1984. The new Deskpro EN Series and Deskpro EP Series, including the Deskpro EP Series Small Business Solutions, were designed from the ground up to maximize Compaq's Optimized Distribution Model (ODM), which includes lowering costs by building and configuring products to specific reseller and customer orders.
According to extensive research conducted by Compaq, the way customers purchase computers is changing. Some customers want to buy products that will remain consistent in order to minimize the lifecycle costs associated with supporting and maintaining the installed base of PCs. Other customers want to take advantage of changes in technology to make the best purchasing decisions at any given time. The new Deskpro EN and Deskpro EP Series meet those distinct buying approaches, respectively.
The new Deskpro EN Series is designed to satisfy the needs of enterprise customers who require a consistent industry-standard desktop computing platform. The new Deskpro EN Series will greatly help IS organizations who are plagued with managing rapidly changing hardware and software technologies that increase their total cost of owning PCs. The new Deskpro EP Series is designed for those customers who demand state of-the-art technology and leading performance.
''Compaq's worldwide announcement today represents a significant milestone,'' said Mike Winkler, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager, PC Products Group, Compaq Computer Corporation. ''We continue our long-standing tradition of delivering the highest quality, most reliable products that enable customers to harness the full power of computing at the best value, while addressing two distinct sets of customer requirements.''
The Deskpro EP Series, which is available in April, has a starting price of $899 (a). Prices for the Deskpro EN Series, which will be available in May in North America, will start at $1,349.
Compaq is the worldwide marketshare leader in desktop sales to multiple market segments including medium/large businesses, small business and government, according to International Data Corporation (IDC). In the U.S., Compaq ranked number one in total desktop sales with an annual 1997 market share of 16.2 percent and a 4Q97 share of 18.3 percent. ''IDC believes that to outperform the market, top tier vendors must continually diversify their product, price, and customer segment positions,'' said Bruce Stephen, Group Vice President, International Data Corp.
New Deskpro Models Feature Innovative Technologies
The new Deskpro EP and EN Series will incorporate the latest industry-standard technologies announced today by Intel. This includes the new 350 MHz and 400 MHz Pentium II processors, Intel 440BX AGP (b) set (supporting 66 MHz and 100 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)), and a robust set of manageability technologies, creating the industry's most highly manageable and powerful desktops. Compaq also announced support for the new Intel 440EX AGPset and the new Intel Celeron processor.
Customers can choose the type of Network Interface Card (NIC) they prefer in a PCI-slot on all new desktop and minitower models, allowing them to easily standardize on one NIC across multiple platforms and further enhance serviceability.
''Compaq's Deskpro Series systems based on the new Intel Pentium (R) II processors offer a wise investment choice for businesses by delivering excellent performance, manageability and room for future growth,'' said Paul Otellini, executive vice president, Intel Architecture Business Group. ''PCs based on these new processors enable the productivity experience and performance that even the most demanding corporate users expect. Compaq's Deskpro PCs based on Intel Celeron processors provide a cost-effective and solid performance foundation for new PC users in the basic PC market segment.'' Compaq plans to offer the Intel 350 MHz and 400 MHz Pentium II processors within its server and workstation product lines.
Compaq Deskpro EN Series
The Compaq Deskpro EN Series is engineered to provide customers a consistent platform with the highest level of manageability and premier serviceability and will be available in three form factors: the traditional desktop, the minitower, and the small form factor desktop. The Deskpro EN Series has been designed to ensure easy integration into the enterprise environment, limiting changes to components or software over its lifecycle, which minimizes support and lifecycle costs for the customer.
Its breakthrough chassis design makes it very easy for customers to service with color-coded levers that allow removal and replacement of drives without any tools, and easy access to expansion cards and system boards.
The Deskpro EN Series features Intel Pentium II processors ranging from 266 MHz to 300 MHz to 333 MHz with a 66 MHz FSB, and the 350 MHz to 400 MHz Intel Pentium II processors with a 100 MHz FSB. The series also features the Intel 440BX AGPset, ATI Rage Pro Turbo (AGP 2X) graphics card with 4 MB SGRAM (expandable to 8 MB) for superior graphics performance including 3D acceleration, high resolutions, and DirectX video playback capabilities, Ultra ATA hard drives in 3.2 GB- 6.4 GB sizes, 24X CD-ROM (c), and SDRAM memory upgradeable to 384 MB. Compaq will deliver configurations requested by the customer who can also select additional options (d) such as 4.3 GB - 9.1 GB Wide Ultra SCSI hard drives, Error Correcting and Checking (ECC) memory with pre-failure warranty (e), removeable storage and other optical drives. All models come standard with embedded 16-bit full duplex audio featuring Compaq Premier Sound and ship with Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or Windows 95.
For easy integration into network environments, customers have a choice of NICs including the Compaq 10/100 TX PCI Intel with WOL UTP (standard on select models) or 3COM Fast EtherLink XL 10/100 TX PCI (3C905B-TX).
Deskpro EN Series Small Form Factor: No Compromise
In the third quarter, Compaq plans to offer customers the same features that are available in the desktop and minitower models, but in a smaller-sized, highly integrated chassis. The Deskpro EN Series Small Form Factor will feature high performance technologies, leading manageability, serviceability and consistency features, in a simple to use and service design.
All models will be equipped with Intel Pentium II processors ranging from 266 MHz to 333 MHZ with a 66 MHz FSB, and 350 MHZ and 400 MHz with a100 MHz FSB. The models also will feature the Intel 440BX AGPset and ATI Rage Pro Turbo (AGP 2X) graphics with 4 MB SGRAM, high capacity Ultra ATA hard drives up to 6.4 GB capacity and SDRAM memory upgradeable to 256 MB. Also standard is an integrated Compaq 10/100 TX PCI Intel with WOL UTP with Remote Wakeup and Remote Installation capabilities, embedded 16-bit full duplex audio featuring Premier Sound and a new Smart Cover Lock. For customers wanting a Net PC configuration, this model will be available with a sealed chassis and no removable media.
Compaq Deskpro EP Series
The new Deskpro EP Series delivers the best price/performance in an easy-to-use desktop that features the latest industry-standard technologies and an innovative new chassis design based on the ATX standard. Performing at levels previously only available from workstations, the Deskpro EP Series satisfies the requirements of the most demanding, power-hungry customer, yet at very aggressive price points.
The Deskpro EP Series features a single-chassis ''towerable'' design, allowing the desktop to be easily positioned as a minitower by simply rotating the quick-release drives and placing the chassis on its side. This unique capability simplifies purchasing choices for customers, eliminating the need to choose between a minitower and a traditional desktop.
Because the Deskpro EP Series uses an ATX chassis and industry-standard components, it is easy for customers to replace or upgrade with off-the-shelf parts. In addition, the single chassis design provides customers with easy access to the components, simplifying serviceability and upgradeability. It also allows new technologies to be quickly incorporated into the product line as they become available in the market, providing customers choice and flexibility as their requirements change.
The Deskpro EP Series will feature next generation technologies such as Intel Pentium II processors ranging from 350 MHz and 400 MHz processors with a 100 MHz FSB using the Intel 440BX AGPset. The new Deskpro EP Series will also feature the new Intel 440EX AGPset, which supports the new Intel Celeron processors and Pentium II 266 MHz to 333 MHz processors with a 66 MHz FSB. All models offer customers value at unprecedented price points for P6 Micro-Architecture technology.
Select models of the Deskpro EP Series include ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics card for superior graphics performance including 3D acceleration, high resolutions, and DirectX video playback capabilities. For networking environments, customers can select a Compaq 10/100 TX PCI with Intel WOL UTP card or 3COM Fast EtherLink XL 10/100 TX PCI (3C905B-TX).
New Deskpro EP Series, Small Business Solutions
Committed to offering tailored computing solutions to help growing businesses compete, Compaq will offer Deskpro models designed specifically for small businesses, a new and important component of Compaq's Worldwide Entrepreneur Solutions Initiative announced in March. The new Deskpro EP Series Small Business Solutions leverages the same levels of price, performance and leading-edge technologies found in the Deskpro EP Series, and comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Office 97 Small Business Edition and INEX Commerce Court Publisher for building e-commerce Web sites.
The Compaq-INEX solution allows businesses to create an electronic storefront very quickly and be ready to sell on the Web in less than 24 hours. The Microsoft Small Business Edition combines a powerful suite of applications including Word 97, Microsoft Excel 97, Outlook 97, Publisher 97, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Expedia Streets 98 and Small Business Financial Manager 97.
Also included with the new Deskpro Small Business Solution is Norton AntiVirus 4.0 software, which checks for and eliminates troublesome viruses and repairs files, the Microsoft Intellimouse for enhanced office productivity, and a 56Kflex data/fax modem (f). Also being offered is a one-time free call to Compaq's Software Quick Support Service Offering, which is available for purchase after the first free call. With this service, small business customers can obtain prompt and responsive software support for more than 100 popular small business software applications.
Through Compaq Capital Corporation, Compaq's financial subsidiary, Deskpro EP Series Small Business Solutions' customers can take advantage of flexible leasing and financing options specifically designed for the small business (g). With the flexible leasing option, customers will have the opportunity to lease Deskpro EP Small Business Solutions from Compaq Capital with no money down, no first month's payment, and a technology refresh option halfway through the term of the lease.
Industry-Leading Manageability and Serviceability
All new models incorporate Compaq's award-winning Intelligent Manageability and support popular manageability building blocks such as DMI 2.0, SNMP, Wired for Management (WfM), and Microsoft Zero Administration. The new Deskpro EN and EP Series support the Microsoft PC98 design specification and are ACPI ready, which will help lower the total cost of ownership and ensure seamless interoperability. All new Compaq Deskpro PCs also come with a Year 2000 warranty.
''Compaq's adoption of key industry standards and strong support for the Zero Adminstration Initiative for Windows have helped make the Deskpro family an excellent platform for Windows NT Workstation 4.0 today and in the future,'' said Brad Chase, VP Windows Marketing, Microsoft Corporation [Nasdaq:MSFT - news]. ''Compaq continues to work closely with Microsoft to ensure its Deskpro products compliment the superior manageability, performance, reliability, and security of Windows NT Workstation.''
With Compaq's standards-based Intelligent Manageability client management solution, administrators can manage and control all networked Deskpro PCs from a single console, easily configuring and securing the PC, tracking assets, and preventing and predicting failures throughout the PC's lifecycle. With Compaq's exclusive InfoMessenger technology, network administrators can be alerted via email of any relevant software configuration changes.
A step further in reducing the total cost of ownership, Intelligent Manageability allows IS managers to perform Remote System Installation and Remote Wakeup. With the latest version of Intel LANDesk Configuration Manager 1.5, remote installation of operating systems, applications and system configurations are also possible.
Reinforcing Compaq's commitment to industry standards, Compaq's Management Solutions Partners program ensures compatibility in other industry-leading management programs including Microsoft SMS, Computer Associates UniCenter and Hewlett Packard OpenView.
Leading the way in usability and serviceability, the innovative design of the Compaq Deskpro EN Series features advanced manageability such as the Smart Cover Lock and Smart Cover Sensor, preventing unauthorized access to the internal components.
Company Background
Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, is a global 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 $24.6 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 communication 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 in North America. Product information and North America reseller locations can be obtained by calling 1-800-345- 1518.
Compaq North America is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Its products and services are sold and supported through a network of more than 25,000 commercial and consumer marketing partners across the United States and Canada.
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(a) All prices listed herein are U.S. estimated selling prices. Reseller prices may vary. (b) Accelerated Graphics Port (c) 24X Max CD-ROM drive data transfer rates may vary from 1500
to 3600 Kbps.
(d) Options may vary by geography. (e) Certain restrictions and exclusions apply. Pre- failure
warranty offers on site warranty replacement of SMART hard drives before they actually fail when using Compaq Insight Manager.
(f) The 56Kflex protocol is designed only to allow faster downloads from 56Kflex compliant sources. Maximum achievable download transmission rates currently do not reach 56Kbps and will vary with line conditions. (g) Financing available through Compaq Capital Corporation to qualified commercial customers in the U.S. Financing is based on dealer sales price and is subject to credit approval and execution of standard
Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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Contact:
Compaq Computer Corporation
Hedy Baker, 281/514-4619
hedy.baker@compaq.com
OR
Miller/Shandwick Technologies
Kerry Kelly, 617/536-0470
kkelly@miller.shandwick.com |
