EPSON'S ActionNote 900 Series marks breakthrough in notebook performance, price point

Business Wire, Nov 13, 1995

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 1995--Targeting savvy, power-hungry notebook computer users, EPSON Monday sparked a revolution in notebook performance and value with the introduction of the ActionNote 900 Series notebook computer.

Based on an innovative, powerful, low-power-consumption microprocessor, the Microsoft Windows 95-ready EPSON ActionNote 900 Series offers a performance leap over other ActionNote models and is packed with an array of high-value features providing greater versatility and functionality for mobile professionals.

``With the introduction of the ActionNote 900 Series, EPSON has once again proven to be a formidable force in the notebook market,'' said Michael DeNeffe, director, PC product management, EPSON. ``EPSON's hardware expertise and Cyrix's CPU technology leadership have integrated remarkably well to create a highly competitive cost/performance mobile solution.''

The ActionNote 900 Series is based on a powerful fifth-generation, 100MHz Cyrix 5x86 microprocessor, running at just 3 volts. The processor surpasses Pentium 75-class performance benchmarks and requires no additional power other than a 486-type form factor, making it ideal for notebook applications.

The first member of the ActionNote 900 Series is the ActionNote 910C with a 10.4-inch dual-scan color display with fast video performance. All ActionNote 900 computers include today's most advanced pointing device, the ActionPoint touchpad, requiring only the tip of your finger to navigate.

Other features include an 810 megabyte (MB) hard disk drive, 8MB of random-access memory (RAM), built-in IrDA-compliant infrared wireless port, multimedia capable with integrated 16-bit SoundBlaster-compatible sound system and two stacked PC card slots.

The ActionNote 910C includes a $700-value software bundle. Consumers are offered a one-time choice of the latest versions of Windows 95 or MS-DOS and Windows. For added value, all systems are preloaded with Lotus SmartSuite and trial subscriptions to America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy and OAG Flightdisk.

Other preloaded software includes PC card services and utilities, NETCOM NetCruiser, ARK Workspace, ESS Audio Drive, Puma TranXit and on-line user manual and accessories catalog.

Options include the ActionPort Replicator with two additional PC card slots, allowing an easy and affordable transition from mobile to desktop computing environments, a removable 1.2-gigabyte hard-disk-drive upgrade, Kensington security cable and portable CD-ROM player.

``The introduction of the EPSON ActionNote 900 Series represents a significant shift in the notebook computer market toward combining desktop power and functionality with the versatility of a notebook form factor,'' said Tim Bajarin, vice president, creative strategies.

``Additionally, EPSON's innovative notebook design and its approach to incorporating an aggressively priced CPU makes the 900 Series an ideal solution for the consumer who demands outstanding performance at a cost-conscious price.''

The ActionNote 900 Series is covered by EPSON's one-year Road Service warranty, which features a rapid-response program designed to provide customers with overnight replacement of their notebook PC should a problem occur that cannot be resolved over the telephone.

In addition to coverage under EPSON's standard warranty, the ActionNote 900 Series is covered by EPSON's new Global Care International Service. It features support lines in Canada and throughout Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Venezuela.

In addition, the service extends to both Europe and Asia, with support offered in a variety of countries including Italy, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Under the terms of the policy, customers simply telephone or fax the nearest Global Care location for service assistance. Service outside the country of purchase will be delivered under local service conditions.

The ActionNote 910C will be sold initially through CompUSA stores and thereafter through EPSON's network of authorized dealers. Estimated street pricing for the ActionNote 910C is $2,499. The ActionNote 900 notebook computers, and all EPSON products, are supported by 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.

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-

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