Supra's New 28,800 bps PowerBook Modem Sets Performance Standard

ALBANY OR, FEBRUARY 1994--The new SupraFAXModem 288PB doubles the
productivity of PowerBook users who work remotely. Scheduled to ship in
mid-March at a selling price of less than $399, the SupraFAXModem 288PB is
the only PowerBook modem to offer 28,800 bps--the fastest data
communications available over dial-up lines.

"PowerBook users, because of the kind of work they do, need the fastest
available option for remote communication," said Clay Cowgill, Macintosh
Product Manager for Supra. "Data communication rates of 28,800 bps reduce
communication cost and eliminate the frustrations of waiting for remote
transactions."

Based on the Rockwell V.FC (V.Fast Class) chipset, Supra's new modems
utilize the core technology that is expected to be defined by the ITU-TSS
in the V.34 (V.Fast) standard later this year. When the V.34 standard is
finalized, it will be incorporated into the full line of SupraFAXModem 288
products. In the interim, V.FC appears to be the clear leader as a
standard for 28,800 bps data communication. Wide-spread acceptance of the
V.FC standard will ensure compatibility with modems from more than 60
other vendors, including Hayes, Microcom, and US Robotics.

By contrast, the V.32terbo standard, which is accepted by a smaller number
of modem manufacturers, can go no faster than 19,200 bps. And despite the
fact that Supra's modems are 50% faster than these V.32terbo modems, the
slower products do not offer a competitive price advantage. For example,
the SupraFAXModem 288PB with V.FC technology is positioned at a price of
$399 while the V.32terbo-based Global Village PowerPort Mercury modem
offers only 19,200 bps and is also priced at $399.

Full-Featured Functionality

Despite this aggressive pricing, Supra has committed to making the
SupraFAXModem 288PB a true top-of-the line product. The most distinctive
of these high-performance features is Flash ROM which adds a new level of
flexibility to the SupraFAXModem 288PB. Future enhancements to the
firmware can be made without even opening the computer--just download new
code information into the flash ROM memory.

Plus, the SupraFAXModem 288PB includes all the benefits that mark the
success of Supra's PowerBook modem line. Designed for use on PowerBook
models 100 through 180c, the modem is completely internal. Error
correction and data compression are handled at the board level rather than
through software. Using V.42bis compression, actual data throughput can be
as high as 57,600 bps the maximum throughput possible on a PowerBook
computer. The modem also features adjustable volume control to allow users
to adjust for the difference in speaker volume in different models of
PowerBook.

For PowerBook users who want to enable top-speed communication at both ends
of the host-remote connection, Supra offers the SupraFAXModem 288. This
desktop modem packs all the power of V.FC communications into Supra's
well-known tiny case. The alphanumeric status display makes it a breeze to
track all modem activity. The desktop model also includes a hardware
handshaking cable for connecting the modem to the serial port and
facilitating high-speed communication. With V.42bis compression, the modem
can support the highest serial speeds available on the Macintosh--up to
57,600 bps. Supra is also developing a solution, to be announced later in
the first quarter of 1994, which will enhance Macintosh serial throughput
capabilities.

Both the PowerBook and desktop modems of Supra's 288 modem include
additional enhancements to the Rockwell chip set such as a Silent Answer
feature which allows both voice and fax communication on a single phone
line. If it detects fax "CNG" tones, the modem routes the call to fax
software. Otherwise, the modem sits silently on the phone line while the
call is answered by the user or by an answering machine. Another feature,
Caller ID, lets users identify incoming calls before answering.

Both modems also include all the software, cables and instructions the user
needs for getting started with high-speed data and fax communication. The
bundle includes MicroPhone LT, CompuServe Information Manager, and the CCL
scripts required for Apple Remote Access. Packages also include
FAXcilitate, fax software that brings a new level of flexibility and
ease-of-use to Macintosh faxing.

Technical Excellence

Supra's new V.Fast Class modems build on the technology that has earned the
company a reputation for superior price-performance in the high-speed
modem market place. Both modems support industry-standard protocols
including the full range of Bell, MNP, and ITU-TSS (formerly CCITT)
standards. Among the supported features are MNP10 for improved performance
on cellular connections. Both modems support the highest available fax
speed of 14,400 bps. They also support Class 1 and 2 fax commands and are
compatible with Group 3 fax machines.

The modem also features a five-year warranty, Hayes compatibility, extended
AT commands and result codes, compatibility with most popular
telecommunications software, autoanswer/autodial, a modular phone jack,
and non-volatile memory that stores two user configurations and four phone
numbers.

About Supra Corporation

Supra Corporation, based in Albany, Oregon, has been providing personal
computer users with high-quality, low-cost peripherals since 1985. The
SupraFAXModem 288PB and 288 are the latest addition to the popular
SupraModem family which includes the best-selling SupraFAXModem V.32bis
external modem.

Since the original SupraModem 2400 was introduced in 1987, SupraModems have
been popular among consumers for excellent value in a reliable modem, and
have been recommended by a variety of sources, from respected PCMagazine
and MacUser columnist John C. Dvorak to the Berkeley Macintosh User's
Group (BMUG).

Supra Corp, 7101 Supra Dr SW, Albany, OR 97321
503-967-2400;  fax: 503-967-2401

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