AST introduces new Ascentia J Series and Ascentia P Series notebook computers supporting Intel's 133-MHz Pentium processor

Business Wire, March 4, 1996

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 1996--Delivering on its commitment to provide the right product at the right time to the indirect channel, AST Monday introduced new models of its recently announced Ascentia J Series and Ascentia P Series notebook computers, based on Intel's new 133-MHz mobile Pentium processor.

Intel's newest Pentium(r) processor brings the highest level of multimedia performance to notebooks targeted at the professional market segment. It combines this performance with low power consumption, helping to maintain long battery life.

The new Ascentia J50 and Ascentia P50 notebooks deliver speed and performance ideal for high quality graphics, full motion video and stereo sound, all possible through a higher bandwidth 66-MHz system bus coupled with PCI local bus architecture and Intel's mobile 82430MX chipset -- all new technologies not yet combined on notebook computers.

"Multimedia presentations, graphics-intensive and computing-intensive applications are becoming everyday tools in the business world, and the need for faster processing performance is required by our professional mobile customers," said Ian Diery, AST president and chief executive officer. "These new Ascentia notebooks meet this challenge head-on, delivering true desktop performance combined with modularity and portability."

The Ascentia P Series includes high-performance models equipped with desktop equivalent features and a modular peripheral bay which can support a CD-ROM drive, floppy drive or second battery. The Ascentia J Series is comprised of feature-rich mid-range models and caters to the individual user or corporate buyer looking to maximize their investment.

Both Series incorporate leading-edge technologies including Intel's mobile 82430MX chipset, PCI bus, high-resolution SVGA displays, 256KB of level 2 cache, integrated audio support and infrared communications.

Last month, AST was the first top-tier vendor to introduce notebooks based on Intel's 100-MHz mobile Pentium processor and mobile 82430MX chipset, which brings high-performance multimedia capabilities, including full-screen, full-motion video and desktop equivalent performance to a wider range and more affordable class of notebook than in the past, such as the mid-range category.

"The first product reviews to appear in the trade magazines of our newly announced Ascentia J30 and Ascentia P30 notebooks are a testament to the power and features of the new notebooks," said Chet Pribonic, AST's vice president, products division. "Their performance, design and battery life knocked the socks off the editors at PC World and Windows(tm) Magazine(a). We've enhanced these designs with Intel's most powerful processor to date."

The Ascentia P Series -- The Day Extender

The Ascentia P Series was designed for the professional who needs to balance outside interests with work. Using their notebook as their primary computer, the Ascentia P Series gives customers the ability to work wherever their day takes them; whether it's a Little League game, a bi-coastal plane trip or an overnight camping trip.

The P Series features a modular peripheral bay that can hold either a CD-ROM or floppy drive or, for extra-long battery life, a second optional lithium ion battery for up to 10 hours of continuous computing time.

The Ascentia P Series -- Challenging Customers' Needs for a Desktop

AST's newest model in the P Series, the P50, features Intel's 133-MHz processor, an 11.3-inch Super VGA active matrix TFT display and either an 800MB or 1.2GB hard drive. A workhorse of a notebook that puts many desktops to shame, the P30 is one of the most powerful notebooks on the market. Announced last month, it features Intel's 100-MHz processor, an 11.3-inch Super VGA Dual-Scan STN display and an 800MB hard drive.

Both the P30 and P50 feature 256KB of L2 cache, as well as 8MBs of EDO RAM, 32-bit PCI bus and 1MB VRAM. Multimedia features include a game port, MPEG software support, SoundBlaster(r)-compatible 16-bit audio and integrated speakers. An integrated 28.8 fax/data modem and single RJ11 jack makes it easy to connect to the Internet or to the home office. The P Series also features the SmartPad touchpad pointing device, infrared communications and an easy-to-read LED indicator for easy monitoring of battery life.

A mini-dock allows for easy connection to an office network, printer or to an external monitor and keyboard.

The Ascentia J Series -- When a Subnotebook is Too Small and a Full-Size Notebook Too Big

The Ascentia J Series is a hybrid of a notebook, combining the lightweight benefits of a subnotebook with many powerful features typically found on high-performance systems. Sporting a sleek tapered design and weighing a mere 5.8 pounds, it incorporates graceful curves into a thin lightweight design.

The newest model in the J Series, the J50, marries Intel's 133-MHz processor with a 10.4-inch Super VGA active matrix TFT display and an 800MB hard drive.

The Ascentia J10 and J30, announced last month, feature Intel's 75-MHz and 100-MHz Pentium processors, respectively. A range of processors, hard drives and displays meet a variety of price points and user needs while delivering a solid foundation of powerful and advanced technologies. These systems are matched with 500MB or 800MB hard drives, while large super VGA high-resolution 10.4-inch Dual-Scan STN or active matrix TFT displays provide bright, crisp, easy-to-read images.