Acer America Endorses Plug & Play PCs Designed to take Advantage of Microsoft Windows 95 Operating System; Move Continues Acer's Commitment to Make PCs Easier to Use

Business Wire, March 8, 1995

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 1995--Acer America Corp., a leading supplier of personal computers, today announced it is endorsing the industry standard Plug and Play specification and Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system as keys to making PCs easier to use.

Acer, a long-time proponent of supplying computer users with easy-to-use products, announced last September an interactive user interface and unique guide to easy computer set-up known as the Acer Computer Explorer (A.C.E.) and "Out-of-Box-Experience" (OOBE), respectively. The revolutionary A.C.E. and OOBE program was developed to eliminate the fear, frustration and anxiety that consumers often experience when setting up and operating a computer.

Acer believes that Plug and Play coupled with Windows 95, is the next major step in making computers even easier to use. Plug and Play makes it easy for users to install new software and hardware components to their computers. "Today, to install cards or software, customers are required to understand detailed specifications about their PC. With the advent of Plug and Play, users can simply plug in a new card, turn on their system, and they're up and running," said Mike Culver, Senior Director of Product Management for Acer America. Acer began shipping PCs and notebooks designed for Plug and Play last fall.

Acer Ships Plug & Play PCs

Windows 95 will provide a more stable and robust operating system platform, allowing Acer to further enhance its Acer Computer Explorer software. Acer plans to ship Windows 95 pre-installed on its computers as quickly as possible. Acer expects its ongoing development efforts, combined with Windows 95, will set new standards for personal computing ease-of-use.

Acer America Corp., headquartered in San Jose, Calif., designs and manufactures a broad range of computer systems and peripherals. Award-winning product offerings include AcerNote notebooks, AcerAcros and AcerPower desktop computers, the AcerAltos line of open servers, AcerView monitors and AcerFax fax machines.

A subsidiary of the $3.2 billion Acer Group, Acer America posted revenues of $858 million in 1994. Acer's advanced, automated manufacturing operations are capable of producing over four million PCs, color monitors and keyboards each year.

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Note to Editors: Acer is a registered trademark and AcerNote, AcerAcros, AcerPower, AcerFax, AcerView and AcerAltos are trademarks of The Acer Group. All other products, brand names or companies are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Acer America Corp.

Robyn Jenkins, 408/432-6200

Wilson McHenry Co.

Veronica Skelton, 415/638-3400

e-mail: vskelton@wmc.com REPEATS: New York 212-575-8822 or 800-221-2462; Boston 617-330-5311 or