Panasonic Introduces Multimedia Notebook PC With Pentium 90 MHz CPU, Integrated CD-ROM Drive, MPEG Support; Fully-Integrated Notebook Provides Host of New Enhancements

Business Wire, July 17, 1995

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 1995--Panasonic Personal Computer Company today introduced the V41 MKII, an enhanced version of its leading V41 series of multimedia notebook PCs with integrated CD-ROM drive.

The V41 MK II offers several new features, including a Pentium 90 MHz CPU, a new high-contrast, non-glare 10.4 in. TFT LCD, disk storage up to 1 GB, RAM to 48 MB, enhanced battery power that provides more than six hours of operating time, and the option of MPEG full-screen, full-motion video playback with 262,000 colors. The V41 MK II is available immediately through select VARs and resellers.

"The V41 MK II is one of the most effectively integrated multimedia notebook PCs, with a wide range of options to meet user requirements," says John Harris, national marketing manager, Panasonic Personal Computer Company.

"We continue to amplify the robustness of the V41 with new technology enhancements, rather than `churn' the market with rapid product changes. This approach is consistent with Panasonic's commitment to the mobile professional market and is testimony to the quality of the engineering and design philosophy built into the V41 MK II," Harris explains.

The V41 MK II is targeted principally to Fortune 1000 users, government, education and training professionals and multimedia developers. Typical applications include:

o Field force automation:

- Sales

- Service

o Interactive training

o Sales presentations

o Research, reference and data retrieval.

WIDE CHOICE OF SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS

The V41 MK II offers users one of the widest choices in system configurations to meet specified needs. CPUs include the Pentium 90 MHz, Pentium 75 MHz, and DX 4/75 MHz.

Panasonic Pentium CPUs both use fast L2 cache as standard to achieve the optimum performance inherent in the Pentium design. Panasonic benchmark tests show that systems with L2 cache achieve overall speed up to 20 percent faster than other performance-compromising solutions that do not use L2 cache.

All V41 MK II CPUs are upgradeable for long-term protection of users' investments.

The V41 MK II provides several choices in storage and expansion. On-board RAM is either 16 MB or 8 MB, and can be expanded to a maximum of 48 MB via RAM cards, available in 4, 8, 16 and 32 MB capacities. Hard disk storage has been expanded to 1 GB, and is also available in 680 MB and 450 MB capacities. All hard disk drives are removable and upgradeable. For applications such as communications and interconnectivity, the V41 MK II accepts one Type II or two Type III PC Cards.

INTEGRATED CD-ROM DRIVE WITH CADDY OPTION

The V41 MK II features a unique integrated CD-ROM player under the keyboard. This design allows simultaneous use of CD-ROM and floppy disk drive and thus avoids the inconvenience of external peripherals or the need to swap components frequently during use.

The 2x CD-ROM drive supports CD-ROM XA, Kodak Multisession Photo CD(TM) and Audio CDs. The V41 MK II includes Panasonic's preloaded CD Viewer software, making playback of both photo and audio CDs extremely easy. The CD Viewer's user-friendly interface can be controlled by both on-screen and "Hot-Key" controls. Audio playback is supported by on-board stereo speakers and 16-bit SoundBlaster Pro(TM) compatible sound.

The new design of the V41 MK II CD-ROM disc holder gives users the option to play CD-ROMs with or without a protective caddy. This design was developed in response to requests from service and field-use customers concerned about conditions where contamination or potential damage to the CD-ROM disc may occur. If the caddy is not required, users can simply load a disc in the player as usual.

NEW ACTIVE MATRIX COLOR LCD FOR OPTIMUM VIEWING

The V41 MK II features a new Panasonic high-contrast, non-glare 10.4 in. TFT active matrix color LCD that provides optimum viewing in both interior and outdoor environments. The LCD can display 65,536 colors simultaneously, and is supported by 1 MB VRAM, VESA local bus and Windows accelerator. The V41 MK II can simultaneously drive an external monitor at up to 1024 x 768 resolution.

MPEG SUPPORT FOR QUALITY VIDEO PLAYBACK

The V41 MK II offers users the benefits of MPEG's 30-frame-per-second, full-screen video playback with the optional CF-VEV411 Full-Motion Video Pack. The CF-VEV411 fits in the V41 MK II's Multimedia Pocket(TM) and allows playback of MPEG-1 and Video CD files from CD-ROM disc or hard disk.

MPEG offers substantial benefits over the limited resolution, speed and screen size of software-only video files. These benefits include full-motion, full-screen video playback, resolution comparable to VHS video, simultaneous display of 262,000 colors, and the ability to run interactive programs without burdening the CPU.

"MPEG playback is the best solution for true interactive training and presentation," Harris says. "Because software video is CPU-intensive, it isn't suitable for interactive programs or showing complex processes, such as machinery repair or maintenance. With MPEG, users can get up to 72 minutes of full-motion, full-detail video from a CD disc. And because our MPEG module is processor-independent, it runs at full performance with and CPU."