First PC Models with Home Theater-Quality JBL Sound System

DIGITAL LAUNCHES NO-COMPROMISE STARION PCs THAT OPTIMIZE WINDOWS 95 FOR
CONSUMERS

MAYNARD, Mass., Aug. 21, 1995 -- Digital Equipment Corporation today
announced a powerful new Pentium-based family of Starion PCs for the
general consumer market. With the ultimate in speed, power, and advanced
sound and telecommunications capabilities built into each system, the new
Starion family optimizes all the ease-of-use features that come with
Microsoft's new Windows 95 operating system.

Users of the new Starion PC family will have the highest quality PC audio
capabilities on the market to enhance the extensive business applications,
entertainment software and on-line services that come with these
multimedia systems.

"The general public now can benefit from the same no-compromising quality
in design, service and support that has made Digital PCs popular in the
corporate world," said Enrico Pesatori, vice president and general manager
of Digitals Computer Systems Division. "These powerful new Pentium-based
Starion systems give PC users the features they want most, integrated into
a reliable package at a price they can afford."

The five new Starion PCs start at $1,749 and will be available at selected
stores on August 24, 1995, the same day Microsoft's Windows 95 operating
system is released.

Unparalleled Audio Capabilities

Current market research indicates that the multimedia experience is the
increasingly dominant factor in purchasing decisions for the consumer PC
market. However, sound reproduction in most PCs has yet to meet consumer
demand for quality matching that of their home entertainment systems.

With todays introduction, discerning PC users will have for the first time
- in all new Starion models - a home theater-quality JBL speaker system,
with high-end, 16-bit stereo, and 3D surround-sound that maximizes
acoustic enjoyment for the exploding market of educational applications,
games and audio music CDs. These advanced audio features provide an
overwhelming difference in how people experience and interact with their
computers.

"You'll find JBL loudspeakers at work in 70 percent of all music and movie
studios, and U.S. cinemas built in the last decade," said Mark Friedman,
president, JBL Consumer Products. "Digital's new line of personal
computers will now include premium speaker systems from the same company
whose products bring sound to Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, the Los
Angeles Sports Arena, Disney theme parks, the Hollywood Bowl and Abbey
Road Studios, in addition to top touring bands worldwide and the finest
commercial cinemas in the world."

Highly aesthetic, the JBL speakers feature crisp, clear, hi-fidelity sound,
providing the same rich audio experience found previously only in home
theater and quality stereo systems. The music and special effects of
multimedia games and educational software look and sound even better with
wavetable sound software included on all new Starion models.

Optimizing Windows 95 for the Consumer Market

The new Starion systems are designed from the ground up to bring all the
advantages of Microsoft's new Windows 95 operating system to the general
public. Each Starion system includes a new specially-designed keyboard for
Windows 95, as well as Windows 95 "getting started" software so users can
quickly and easily become familiar with the new operating system.
Moreover, setting up and upgrading Starion systems is easy with full Plug
and Play implementation built in.

Starion users also will appreciate additional features such as 16MB of RAM
on all models over $2,000 for ultimate Windows 95 performance; and either
32-bit or 64-bit S3 graphics with great performance, brilliant colors, and
high resolution for maximum visual appeal.

For managing the communications needs of a family and/or home office,
including high-speed access to the Internet, all Starion models come with
a built-in answering machine, an integrated 28.8 (14.4 on low-end models)
Kbps fax/modem, full duplex speaker-phone and professional voicemail. Also
standard on all models is a quad-speed CD-ROM drive for the best in game
and education software performance.

"Today's announcement underscores our continued expansion into the retail
market, with an aggressive, timely delivery of products," said Howard
Elias, vice president, Desktop and Mobile Product lines for Digital's
Personal Computer Business Unit. "This launch gives consumers a range of
uncompromising PCs integrating key technologies with the ultimate in audio
and a variety of the latest and best software most particularly, Windows
95."

Software for the Whole Family

The entire family will enjoy the software that comes pre-loaded on the new
Starion PCs. All Starion models are bundled with a Microsoft Home software
suite running under Windows 95, offering something for everyone in the
family, including personal productivity applications like word processing,
spreadsheets, and simple data base management, as well as entertainment
software and on-line services.

The software includes Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Works 4.0, Microsoft
Encarta, Microsoft Bookshelf, Microsoft Golf 2.0, Microsoft Explorapedia:
The World of Nature, Microsoft Entertainment Pack, Microsoft Home
CD-Sampler, FaxTalk, Prodigy, America On-Line, CompuServe, ImagiNation!
Network and FreePhone. Intuits Quicken Special Edition is also pre-loaded
onto each system to manage personal or home office finances. Everyone
using the system will learn quickly about their new system with Digital's
Getting Started user interface, included on all models.

Award-winning Service and Support

Digital's Starion PCs are backed by a three-year limited hardware warranty,
including one year of on-site service. Digital also offers remote support
via modem for quick problem resolution.

Digital's highly acclaimed service and support network has more than 22,000
service professionals worldwide, including 800 Microsoft Certified
Professionals, and 5,000 support professionals trained on Microsoft
products, including Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT and a variety of
software application products. The company also serves as a worldwide
Microsoft Technical Education Center.

As a Worldwide Microsoft Authorized Support Center partner, Digital has
extensive Microsoft product knowledge, and is one of only five companies
selected by Microsoft to provide telephone support for Windows 95. As part
of the Microsoft Windows 95 Support Team, Digital will complement
Microsoft's own product support services by providing telephone support,
communications and staff resources.

Additional Specifications, Pricing and Availability

The Starion 910, Starion 915, Starion 920, Starion 930 and Starion 940
models are available in 75MHz, 100MHz and 133MHz versions of Intel's
Pentium processor, each with a Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket for easy
upgrades. All are in roomy mini-towers to accommodate future growth, with
five expansion bays and five expansion slots (three ISA, one PCI, one that
supports either). The new PCs come standard with either 8 MB or 16 MB of
RAM, all expandable to 128 MB, and offer high capacity hard drives --
either 850 MB or 1.2 GB, depending on the configuration. All include flash
BIOS, a 3.5-inch floppy, mouse, microphone, and even a mouse pad proudly
displaying Digital's toll-free service and support number.

U.S. list prices are $1,749, $1,999, $2,199, $2,499 and $2,999,
respectively. All systems are available with 15 or 17 SVGA flat screen,
anti-glare monitors. The monitors are priced at $399 and $749,
respectively.

All systems will be shipping by August 24, 1995. Starion PCs will be
available at ABC Warehouse, Alaska Computer Brokers, Brandsmart, CompUSA,
Computer Discount Warehouse, Elek-Tek, Frys Electronics, Incredible
Universe, J&R Computerworld, Ks Merchandise, Lechmere, Nobody Beats the
Wiz, PCs Compleat, RC Willey, Rockwell, Sams Club, State Street Discount
and Sun TV.

"We expect to make significant inroads in the retail channel with this
announcement," said Rod Keller, director, U.S. Consumer Market Development
for Digital. "According to the April 3, 1995 issue of Computer Retail
Week, Digital's retail PCs were ranked the most likely to be added to
retailers shelves. Retailers who reported an interest in adding Digital
said the likelihood of adding a brand in the next six months was
relatively high at 8.2 on a scale of 1 to 10. We think those numbers speak
for themselves and speak well for the acceptance of the Starion line," he
added.

Digital Equipment Corporation is the world's leader in open client/server
solutions from personal computers to integrated worldwide information
systems. Digital's Intel and Alpha platforms, storage, networking,
software and services, together with industry- focused solutions from
business partners, help organizations compete and win in todays global
marketplace.
 
 =========================================================
 From the 'New Product News' Electronic News Service on...
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) and Delphi (GO COMP PROD)
 =========================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the
 company/author mentioned. For additional details, please
 contact them directly at the address/phone# indicated.
 Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
 =========================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  USA
 Email: rbakerpc@delphi.com  -or- RBakerPC (on AOL/Delphi)
 =========================================================
