Cirrus Logic's Technology Complements Newest IBM ThinkPad 380 Series; Industry-Leading CrystalClear Audio and Host Adapter Solution Enhance Multimedia-Rich Portable Computers

Business Wire, August 11, 1997

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 11, 1997--Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS) revealed today that its single-chip audio subsystem (CS4236B) is the basis for the high-quality sound emanating from the recently-announced IBM(R) ThinkPad(TM) 380 series (380, 380D and 385D) portable computers.

The CS4236B subsystem features Cirrus Logic's industry-leading CrystalClear(TM) audio with advanced power management and a highly-integrated, space-efficient board design, enabling a cost-effective solution that is ideal for OEMs designing next-generation portable machines.

In addition, the ThinkPad 380 series features Cirrus Logic's PCI-to-PCMCIA host adapter solution (CL-PD6729), which further supports the critical requirements for both small form factor and reduced power consumption.

"Mobile computer users have come to expect desktop multimedia performance from their portable machines," notes Art Swift, vice president of marketing for Cirrus Logic's PC Products Division. "Cirrus Logic leverages its years of audio expertise to satisfy this expectation with a full, rich sound experience that extends the functionality of traditional desktop PCs to new, multimedia-rich portable machines. IBM's selection of our CrystalClear audio for its new ThinkPad series is further endorsement of our superior sound quality and technical expertise."

Providing a comprehensive audio solution that is unparalleled in the industry, the CS4236B audio subsystem features advanced power management -- including the ability to shut down the audio subsystem when no audio output is required -- plus broad software support. The CS4236B has been tested by the Windows Hardware Quality Lab and meets all the requirements for PC 97, including driver support for both Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) 9x and Windows NT. Moreover, the CS4236B supports DirectSound(TM) and is APM 1.2 compliant. The ability of the CS4236B to meet or exceed all industry- standard interface requirements along with the availability of international versions of Cirrus Logic's CrystalWare(TM) software are additional benefits of the audio subsystem.

"IBM is continually improving the functionality and quality of its mobile computers," said Adalio Sanchez, vice president of Mobile Development for IBM. "Cirrus Logic's CrystalClear audio solution used in the ThinkPad 380 Series supports our goals for providing highest-quality audio with reduced space and power consumption."

The CS4236B enables full-duplex audio as well as a symmetrical mixer and a digital wavetable synthesis interface to the CS9236, the world's most integrated wavetable music synthesizer. The subsystem integrates patented, industry-leading, delta-sigma conversion technology with extended signal processing in a high- performance, mixed-signal design. The CS4236B also contains an internal FM music synthesizer, an MPU-401 UART, joystick logic, and full Plug-and-Play compatibility.

Cirrus Logic's CL-PD6729 is a PCI-to-PCMCIA host solution capable of controlling two fully independent PC Card sockets. The CL-PD6729 enables a complete dual-socket PCMCIA solution, with power-logic, that occupies less than two square inches, excluding connectors. This allows the ThinkPad 380 series to conform to its extremely small form factor.

Combining innovative design and breakthrough technology, the IBM ThinkPad 380 portable computer series stacks a CD-ROM drive on top of a floppy drive in an affordable mobile PC. The new "all-in-one" ThinkPad design integrates a hard drive, floppy drive and CD-ROM drive in one unit with a 12.1-inch screen and Pentium(R) microprocessor, giving it the computing power of a desktop in a notebook size package. The ThinkPad 380 series targets the general business market as well as consumers. The machines are currently available through computer reseller channels and the ThinkPad 385D is available through retail stores.

Cirrus Logic is a leading manufacturer of advanced integrated circuits for personal computing, communications, mass storage, consumer and industrial markets. The company's "systems in silicon" add high value and software richness to major brands worldwide. With a focus on innovating microperipheral chip solutions, Cirrus Logic is committed to technology leadership for the Interactive Age.

Cirrus Logic news releases may be obtained by fax by dialing 1-800-359-6414, or by dialing 510-249-4200 from outside the United States, or via the Internet on the world wide web at http://www.cirrus.com/ -0-

Note to Editors: IBM is a registered trademark and ThinkPad is a trademark of IBM Corporation. CrystalClear and CrystalWare are trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corp. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

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