HP Pavilion PCs Bring the Internet Home with HP@Home Internet Access and One-Touch No-Credit-Card-Required Connection; Free Service Provides a Risk-free, Friendly and Helpful Web Forum For HP Pavilion PC Owners

Business Wire, Feb 13, 1997

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 1997--Hewlett-Packard Company, a leader in multimedia and imaging capabilities for the home, today launched in the United States HP@home Internet access -- a service connection, owners' Web site and interactive community for new HP Pavilion PC customers.

By simply pressing the Internet button on HP's custom designed one-touch multimedia keyboard or clicking the Internet Access icon on the monitor screen, owners of new HP Pavilion PC models 7330Z, 7350P and 7370V immediately are engaged in the HP@home site. The HP@home service is expected to make HP an industry leader in providing easy Internet access and developing one-on-one relationships with customers.

HP PAVILION PC CUSTOMERS WANT A CONNECTION WITH HP

HP's early-buyers' survey revealed that 94 percent of HP Pavilion PC owners want to receive information from HP on a regular basis. Additional HP research says that 38 percent of PC households are currently online. HP sees a tremendous opportunity to build relationships with its customers online by eliminating barriers that consumers experience today.

"Our goal is to have 100 percent of HP Pavilion PC owners online and involved in an interactive relationship with HP," said Webb McKinney, general manager for HP's Home Products Division.

HP is helping to eliminate the barriers of going online by offering HP Pavilion PC owners no-credit-card-required limited Internet access, free of charge, five hours per month for six months. HP@home Internet access connects owners instantly to the special HP@home Web site; HP's main Web site (www.hp.com); and select partner sites, including Microsoft's(R) Windows(R) 95 support site. Unlike many Internet-access promotional offers, HP's service does not require that consumers provide credit-card information to initiate the free connection.

HP also has eliminated the confusion of choosing an ISP and a browser, or even determining the connection phone number. Through Concentric Network, HP also intends to offer optional, fee-based full Internet access or give consumers an easy way to connect with an ISP of their choice.

VALUE-ADDED CONTENT GIVES CONSUMERS AN ONLINE ADVISOR

HP is committed to helping HP Pavilion PC owners get the most out of their home-computing experience with a variety of content areas on the HP@home site. The HP@home site features Web Basics, with a Web Surfin' 101 tutorial; Fun Things To Do, featuring how-to "recipes" for home multimedia and imaging projects; Marketplace, a virtual store to get information about accessories and HP merchandise; Newsletter, archived and new editions of the quarterly HP@home publication; Tech Support, a place to find answers to HP Pavilion PC frequently asked questions; Microsoft's Windows 95 support site; and more. With optional, full Internet service, HP owners also can link through HP@home directly to HP-partner sites, including C|net's search.com, download.com, news.com and gamecenter.com.

"In building the site, we wanted to make it simple and risk free for new Web surfers to check out the Internet," said Chris Pedersen, worldwide brand manager of HP's Home Products Division. "The content offers value to all HP owners and helps them do more with their HP Pavilion PCs. This community is a place where HP Pavilion PC owners will want to return, again and again to share experiences and find entertainment and information online."

CONTINUED FOCUS ON SUPPORTING CUSTOMERS

HP already is building relationships with customers with its HP@home newsletter and superior service and support policies. HP@home Internet access is another example of how HP listens to its customers and continues to deliver new technologies that consumers want and find useful. This year, HP strengthened the outstanding service and support customers have come to know and trust with its customer-care promise. In addition to providing a one-year, in-home hardware warranty and 90 days of free software support on all pre-loaded software, HP will answer in three minutes or less all calls made to a new HP Pavilion PC support number (208/323-HOME). HP backs this customer-care promise by offering consumers the choice of an additional month of software telephone support beyond the standard 90-day software support or a free 15-minute long-distance calling card.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 112,000 employees and had revenue of $38.4 billion in its 1996 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard Company

Larry Sennett, 408/553-2916

larry_sennett@hp.com

or

Alexander Communications for HP

Andrea Routh, 415/923-1660

arouth@alexander-pr.com