EPSON introduces high-performance 586-class desktop for business multimedia applications; ActionTower 8500 includes Pentium processor, multimedia hardware

Business Wire, Nov 13, 1995

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 1995--Continuing to match users' requirements for higher-powered multimedia PCs, EPSON Monday introduced the ActionTower 8500, a 100-megahertz (MHz) Intel Pentium-powered, fully multimedia-ready desktop PC that is configured and priced specifically for the business market.

With its blazing processing power and high-performance multimedia features, the ActionTower 8500 is ideal for business applications such as software development, presentation planning and interactive business training programs.

The ActionTower 8500's higher microprocessor performance allows these applications to run faster, interact with the system's multimedia features better and function in ways that may not have been possible on lower-performance systems.

``The ActionTower 8500 gives value-added resellers, distributors and users exactly what they're asking for -- a powerful system for business multimedia applications at a palatable price,'' said Michael DeNeffe, director, PC product management, EPSON.

``With its 586-class processor and high-performance multimedia hardware, the ActionTower 8500 is powerful enough to handle today's most demanding multimedia applications with ease.''

ActionTower 8500 Series Features

In addition to its Intel Pentium P100 microprocessor, the ActionTower 8500 features a high-performance, 64-bit PCI chipset with PCI local bus video, 1 megabyte (MB) of video memory and two dual-channel PCI local bus enhanced IDE (E-IDE) interfaces.

The system also features a quad-speed CD-ROM; 1.2-gigabyte (GB) E-IDE hard disk drive supporting PIO transfer modes 3 and 4; eight MB of random-access memory (RAM) expandable to 32 MB; and 256 kilobytes (KB) of secondary cache, expandable to 1MB. A 16-bit stereo sound card, stereo speakers and microphone round out the multimedia features of the system.

The ActionTower 8500 has three ISA and two PCI expansion slots, seven drive bays and Plug and Play support for autoconfiguration of peripherals. A 15-pin, D Shell VGA interface supports fixed- frequency or multifrequency Energy Star-compliant monitors up to 1024 x 768 in 256 colors.

Preinstalled software includes Microsoft Windows 95 or MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.11; EPSON's OnLine Documentation in a choice of three languages; audio and sound drivers.

Pricing and Availability

The ActionTower 8500 multimedia computer will have an estimated street price of $2,099.

All ActionPC and ActionTower systems include one year of free on-site service and support from the EPSON Connection, the company's toll-free customer-support and technical-assistance line.

For more information on EPSON and its products, call 800/289-3776, ext. 3000, or stop by the company's corporate Web site on the Internet at http://www.epson.com.

About EPSON

EPSON offers an extensive array of technology products, including ink-jet, laser and dot-matrix printers, scanners, portable and desktop computers and, for the OEM market, a variety of component and electronic devices.

Founded in 1975, Epson America Inc. is an affiliate of Seiko Epson Corp., a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America has headquarters in Torrance, Calif. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Product specifications, pricing and availability are subject to change.

CONTACT: EPSON

Jan Marciano, 310/782-5161

310/782-5179 (fax)

or

Walt & Sommerhauser Communications

Kellie DiNaro or Cynthia Lempert, 408/496-0900