New Vivante Models Raise Bar on Notebook Features; Include Large Display, High-End Audio, Advanced Touchpad

Business Wire, Nov 10, 1997

CERRITOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1997--Two new Vivante notebooks targeted at "Primary PC" users have been announced by Transmonde Technologies Inc.

The new Vivante SE and XL feature the most recent innovations in technology and are designed to make the leap from multimedia to "omnimedia." Built around the Intel 430TX PCI chipset and Intel(R) Mobile Module (IMM) technology, they feature a modular design that supports FDD, CD-ROM, DVD and Zip(TM) drives, as well as a second Lithium Ion battery.

Additionally, both include advanced multimedia capabilities -- C&T HiQVPro(TM) 65555 video controllers with hardware MPEG-2 decoders, support for 16 million colors on the LCD, plus an ESS Maestro-2(TM) audio chipset for enhanced audio.

The new Vivante models support up to 128MB SDRAM; up to 5GB Ultra DMA hard drives; and 64-voice Wavetable audio with Mediaphile(TM) PAS audio speaker systems.

The Vivante SE features a 13.3" XGA display, and the TouchWriter(TM), an advanced touchpad from Synaptics that can be used for signature capture. The Vivante SE is 1.8" high, weighs 6.5 lbs. and is priced starting at $2,999. The Vivante XL includes an internal FDD as well as a modular bay, an internal 56K modem and features a 14.1" XGA display; it is 1.9" high, weighs 7.9 lbs. and is priced starting a $3,399.

For Primary PC Users

"As notebooks become more powerful, more and more people are using them in place of desktop PCs," says Karen Steinwachs, vice president of marketing for Transmonde. "These Vivante notebooks will inspire users to move in that direction. The large displays and powerful processors bring equality with today's most advanced desktop PCs, and we feel the Mediaphile audio system and the Synaptics touchpad actually push our notebooks beyond equivalent PCs in terms of strategic features."

With the innovative Mediaphile Presentation Audio System, Transmonde's Vivante notebooks now deliver ultra-high quality sound, with industry-leading dispersion characteristics. And the Synaptics TouchWriter touchpad gives users the ability to edit documents by hand, and to sign memos and letters -- capabilities not present today on conventional desktop PCs.

Innovation and Customization

Transmonde continues to innovate in product features as well as in customer service, she says. "We were the first to ship a notebook with USB, and we'll be the first to offer a notebook with the Synaptics TouchWriter. We continue to raise the bar by including features that make notebook computers as user friendly as possible. Our focus is on the practical implementation of technology -- rather than just technology itself.

"As for customer service, we're one of the few notebook vendors to offer true build-to-order customization. There are so many options available in notebooks today, it isn't fair to users to try to fit them into pre-defined configurations.

"What's right for one SOHO customer could be entirely wrong for another. We consult with our customers on their needs, and then we build them a notebook -- to their specifications. We've always offered build-to-order as a means of giving our users the greatest utility with the best economy."

Pricing and Availability

Sample price for a Vivante SE including a 200MHz Pentium Processor with MMX technology, 32MB SDRAM, 512KB Cache, 3GB hard drive and 56K modem is $3,499. Sample price for a Vivante XL with 233MHz Pentium Processor with MMX technology, Hardware MPEG-2, 64MB SDRAM, 512KB Cache 5GB hard drive and 56K modem is $4,699. Both notebooks are PC97 and AC97 compliant and will be available in Q1 1998. Transmonde sells direct, via phone or Web.

Support

As with all Transmonde Technologies products, technical support consists of toll-free telephone support, plus e-mail, Web and fax services. Transmonde's commitment to customer service includes an industry-leading no-cost warranty, wherein a customer will receive a replacement notebook within 48 hours. All products come with a standard one-year warranty, extendable to three years.

About Transmonde Technologies

Transmonde Technologies Inc., headquartered in Cerritos, was formed in 1996 in partnership with Taiwan-based ASE (Advanced Semiconductor Engineering) Technologies. Transmonde designs and markets the high-performance, award-winning Vibrant and Vivante notebook computer families, as well as the entry-level Vigor.

All notebook offerings are manufactured by ASE, one of the world's leading manufacturers of portable computers. Transmonde is located at www.Transmonde.com . -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Vigor, Vibrant and Vivante are trademarks of Transmonde Technologies Inc. All other trademarks are marks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Transmonde Technologies Inc.

Cynthia Lempert, 408/321-9007

clempert@transmonde.com

Karen Steinwachs, 714/562-0928

ksteinwachs@transmonde.com