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Technology Stocks : Compaq -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SC who wrote (28290)	6/27/1998 9:26:00 PM
From: SC	Respond to of 97611

Compaq redefines the state of the art for home PCs with its Windows 98-powered Presario 5600. zdnet.com By Carol Venezia June 9, 1998 -- When was the last time a home PC blew your mind and knocked your socks off? If it's been a while, check out the new Compaq Presario 5600 when it becomes available in stores on the release date of Windows 98 (June 25, according to a representative of Waggener Edstrom, Microsoft's PR firm): The box may be beige, but there's more innovation under the hood than we've ever seen in a home PC. To take advantage of Windows 98's built-in driver support for USB and FireWire, Compaq has integrated two of the former and one of the latter ports right on the front of the Presario's mini-tower case, concealed behind a flip-up door (there's also a FireWire port on the back of the PC). These are part of the system's Digital Creativity Imaging Center, which also provides the software tools to create, enhance, and edit both still and moving video images. Turn the Presario around and you'll find more goodies, including ports for the system's PCI-based 56K V.90 modem. There's also an RJ45 connector for the unit's integrated 10-Mbps Ethernet adapter, so you'll be ready to start up your own home network or to hook up a cable modem. Another thing you'll notice is that there are two external connectors on the Presario's graphics board (an 8MB ATI 3D Rage LT Pro AGP model). While one is for a standard CRT, the other is a Digital Flat Panel interface, which uses PanelLink digital technology. This connector ports the video signal directly out from the graphics accelerator to the FP500 Flat Panel Monitor--a 14.1-inch TFT panel with an integrated microphone. Because there is no analog-to-digital conversion involved, the picture quality that you'll get from this setup is superb. Compaq is the first home PC vendor to offer flat panels at an affordable price ($999). Inside, the Presario is powered by a 400-MHz Pentium II processor and also features 128MB of 100-MHz SDRAM, a huge 12GB hard disk, a DVD-ROM drive, and integrated PCI audio. On our benchmark tests, this PC literally burned up the charts, posting scores on our Winstone, Graphics WinMark, and 3D WinMark tests that matched the top scores recorded in our first 400-MHz Pentium II roundup. On the software side, in addition to the basic productivity applications like Works and Quicken, you'll find lots of preloaded software geared toward enhancing your online experience. Actually getting online is easy: Just click on the "Set up Internet Here" icon and you'll be just a few minutes, mouse clicks, and fill-in-the-blanks away from test-driving your 50 free hours of access through GTE Internet Services (no credit card required). Compaq has also hooked up with BackWeb to provide the technology needed to push content and system updates directly to your desktop. If you're looking for a Windows 98 home PC that has it all, the Compaq Presario 5600 is the machine for you. Compaq Presario 5600. Street price: $2,700 with 400-MHz Pentium II CPU, 128MB SDRAM, 12GB hard disk, DVD-ROM drive, V.90 PCI modem. FP500 Flat Panel Monitor: $999. Compaq Computer Corp., Houston; 800-345-1518, 281-370-0670; www.compaq.com.