TADPOLE TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCES DOCKING STATIONS FOR THEIR 133MHz and 100MHz PENTIUM NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS; Tadpole Docking Stations Offer Workstation-Class "Power Users" the First 133MHz and 100MHz Pentium Desktop Alternatives

Business Wire, July 25, 1995

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 1995--Meeting the growing demands of today's mobile "power-users," Tadpole Technology, Inc., the leader in workstation-class notebook computing, today introduced two high-end, full-featured, motorized docking stations for its Tadpole P1000 Series of 133MHz Pentium and 100MHz Pentium notebook PCs. The new Tadpole P1000 Series Docking Stations provide the P1000 family with a range of desktop computing functionality including multiple mass storage options, network connectivity, and add-in card expandability. These new docking stations are also Windows 95-ready and Plug and Play compatible.

The new Tadpole docking stations for the P1000 family include the P1000 Series Docking Station Model 100, a fully integrated platform comprising a 5.25" 4X CD ROM drive, 2GB SCSI hard disk, a removable disk drive bay, two full-length free ISA slots, an ISA Ethernet controller and a 1.44MB floppy drive. The P1000 Series Docking Station Model 50 is offered with a floppy drive and Ethernet controller.

"Our P1000 docking station strategy underscores Tadpole's commitment to providing today's true power user with an intelligent, cost-effective desktop and mobile workstation-class computing solution," said Deane Curran, director of marketing for Tadpole. "We believe that the addition of docking stations to the P1000 product family will further enhance our end-user and VAR commitment and solution delivery platforms."

The P1000 Series docking system automatically (motorized) loads and unloads when placed vertically into the new docking station. A three-way switch allows the notebook to be loaded or ejected, and turned off or reset. Each Tadpole docking station allows access to the notebook's PCMCIA slots and charges the unit's internal battery pack. All models in the P1000 Series have direct I/O ports for an external mouse and keyboard, external video, parallel port, floppy disk drive, and headphones. Both the basic and full-feature docking stations provide connections to all of these I/O functions through standard connectors.

The Tadpole P1000 Series

Just as the Tadpole P1000 was the first notebook computer to use Intel's 3.3-Volt 815/100 Pentium microprocessor, the Tadpole P1300, introduced today, breaks new ground in the industry as the first implementation of Intel's 133MHz Pentium chip. The P1000 Series models are also the first to integrate a PCI local bus, 256K secondary write-back cache, and 64-bit memory interface. They come with a 10.4" active matrix color TFT display at 640 x 480 VGA or 800 x 600 SVGA resolution, include two PCMCIA Type I/II or one Type III slot on the PCI bus, and weigh just 7.5 pounds with the internal NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery installed. All P1000 Series models ship with Microsoft's Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and DOS 6.2, a 3.5" floppy disk drive, and internal NiMH battery. Their advanced magnesium alloy case ensures ruggedability far greater than ordinary notebook computers and the Advanced Notebook Architecture allows the systems to be easily and cost-effectively upgraded to newer, higher performing technologies in the future. The Tadpole P1000 Series is Windows 95-ready and Plug & Play compatible and supports Windows NT, OS/2, NextStep and Solaris.

Pricing and Availability

The new Tadpole P1000 Series Docking Station models are available now. The P1000 Series Docking Station Model 50 -- the basic configuration -- suggested list price is $1,695. The P1000 Series Docking Station Model 100 -- the full-feature configuration -- suggested list price is $2,995. Both models are available through Tadpole's direct sales force and authorized resellers in the U.S. (1-800-232-6656), U.K. and France, and resellers and distributors throughout Europe and Asia.

Tadpole Technology designs and manufactures ultra high-performance, durable notebook computers and board-level and software products for OEMs and end-users. Established in 1984 and publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, Tadpole is headquartered in Cambridge, England. U.S. headquarters are in Austin, Texas. -0-

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CONTACT: Tadpole Technology

Terry Wooten, 512/219-2200

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Walt & Sommerhauser Communications

Stephanie Edwards/Beth Pampaloni, 408/496-0900