IBM Broadens its Aptiva Home PC Family to Bring Cutting-edge Technologies, Value, Quality and Reliability to the Consumer PC Marketplace

Business Wire, Sept 15, 1997

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 15, 1997--

Product Overview

The E Series offers consumers the ideal combination of performance and affordability

Priced from $1,199(a), the E Series delivers a richly-configured multimedia PC to the value-conscious consumer.

The L Series offers consumers powerful technology, outstanding multimedia and innovative educational tools

Featuring processors up to the 300MHz(b) Intel(R) Pentium(R) II, the Aptiva(R) L Series has been designed for the family that wants to get the most in education, learning, productivity and fun from a home PC.

The S Series provides consumers with pure performance, cutting-edge technology and the space-saving split-system design for the ultimate in home computing

The new Aptiva S Series models offer the next generation of the award-winning split system design and provide consumers with the latest in multimedia technologies including Sound by Bose(R).

IBM(R) Owner Privileges(TM)(c) membership program provides Aptiva customers with a single source for preferred service, discounts on accessories and software, and unique advisory services

Aptiva customers will enjoy special privileges that help them unlock the full potential of their home PC when they join the IBM Owner Privileges program. These include: Service Privileges for preferred call handling during the one-year warranty period(d) and tips on how to maximize both hardware and software; Protection Privileges that alert users to some of the latest system enhancements/upgrades and information on Aptiva software compatibility(e); Discount Privileges for free software samples(f) and member discounts; and Advisory Privileges for advice and information on training. Consumers that purchase an Aptiva between September 4, 1997 and March 1, 1998 will receive a fee-waived, $100 one-year membership to this program.

IBM Consumer Division today announced eight new models of its award-winning Aptiva line of PCs. Consisting of three series, E, L and S, the new fall lineup significantly broadens IBM's leading home PC offerings and expands the Aptiva line to deliver new value-priced models. These new models are perfect for a broad range of consumers including first-time buyers, career-minded customers and families ready for a second PC. At prices ranging from $1,199 to $3,299, IBM's new home PCs equip consumers with the most exciting multimedia, design and ease-of-use features the industry has to offer.

"Building on our established reputation as the leader in delivering innovative home technology solutions to consumers, IBM is broadening the scope of its Aptiva family to bring greater quality and value to the marketplace. Our goal is to be the first and only place that consumers look when they want the most value in a home PC that doesn't compromise on leading technologies," said Jim Firestone, vice president and general manager of the IBM Consumer Division. "As part of our effort to deliver the best multimedia offerings to consumers, we have developed alliances with such renowned companies as Bose and Kodak. By combining the abilities of these companies with IBM's technology expertise, we're delivering a superior computing experience to consumers."

Broader Line, Great Value

E Series Offers Consumers the Ideal Combination of Performance and Affordability

The new Aptiva E Series models are powerful systems at an affordable price that meet the needs of consumers interested in buying a first or second PC, as well as the needs of professionals wanting to work at home. Backed by IBM's renowned service and support, the Aptiva E Series systems offer Aptiva customers the flexibility and expandability needed to keep up with the changing technology market.

L Series Offers Consumers Powerful Technology, Outstanding Multimedia and Innovative Educational Tools

Featuring second-generation processors up to the 300MHz(b) Intel Pentium II, the Aptiva L Series has been designed for the family that wants to get the best in education, learning, productivity and fun from a home PC. The L Series comes packed with the latest technology, including a custom-designed Bose audio system, DVD-ROM II drives(g) and arcade-like 3D graphics capabilities that enhance the multimedia learning and entertainment experience. With its all new black design, the Aptiva L Series' components are styled to integrate seamlessly with one another. From the multimedia monitor with Bose speakers, to the new EZ Buttons(TM) Keyboard and ScrollPoint(TM) Mouse, the Aptiva L Series makes family computing simple and hassle free. Complementing the outstanding technology features of the Aptiva L Series is a software bundle that includes great educational and learning titles from such award-winning companies as Edmark(R) and World Book(TM)(h).

S Series Provides Consumers with Pure Performance, Cutting-Edge Technology and the Space-Saving Split-System Design for the Ultimate in Home Computing

The three new models of the redesigned Aptiva S Series offer the next generation of the award-winning split system design and provide consumers with the latest multimedia technologies including second-generation Intel Pentium II processors, SDRAM, the ATI(R) 3D Rage(TM) Pro graphics processor, DVD-ROM II drives and the best Bose sound system available on a PC. Only the Aptiva S Series split-system design delivers convenience to its users with a space saving solution - an upgradeable media console. These features give users an unparalleled gaming, communications, Internet and multimedia experience. In addition, the Aptiva S Series includes a complete suite of Internet applications featuring voice-enabled Netscape Navigator and a total home communications system with RingCentral.