Award Software Announces BIOS support for Intel's Mobile 200-MHz and 233-MHz Pentium Processors with MMX Technology

Business Wire, Sept 8, 1997

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 1997--Award Software International(R) Inc. (NASDAQ:AWRD), the world's No. 1 x86-based desktop and server BIOS provider, today announced support of Intel's (NASDAQ:INTC) new 200-MHz and 233-MHz mobile Pentium(R) processors with MMX(TM) technology.

The new 200-MHz and 233-MHz mobile Pentium(R) processors with MMX(TM) technology represents breakthrough technology for mobile PCs as the highest performing, lowest power consuming Pentium processors yet to be introduced by Intel. These new processors are designed to utilize 0.25 micron manufacturing process. This allows internal voltage to be reduced below 2v and I/O voltage reduced to 2.5v with the resulting power consumption less than 5 Watts at 233-MHz. This technology makes possible the development of faster laptops with 50 percent less power consumption.

"Timely BIOS support of any new processor is critical to Intel," said Andy Combes, Director of Intel's Mobile Support Operation. "Intel is pleased to have worked with Award Software to ensure that our mutual customers can introduce more powerful and energy-efficient notebook PCs."

"Award Software is pleased to provide immediate support for both the 200-MHz and the 233-MHz Mobile Pentium (R) processors with MMX(TM) technology, introduced by Intel today. These processors bring new levels of performance to the mobile computing market and will power a new generation of products," said Laurent Gharda, vice president of marketing for Award Software. "These processors effectively remove a complex barrier for manufacturers of mobile systems so they can devote less engineering time to the interaction between the processor and the complex memory controller. Award Software's core Mobile EliteBIOS supports this processor family today, and can be deployed with MPCAccess(TM) for Managed PCs, allowing IT professionals to support mobile users with remote diagnostics, repair and systems management capabilities."

Intel today announced that the 200-MHz and 233-MHz Mobile Pentium processors with MMX technology will be available this fall and that the Pentium II is due in the first half of 1998. Award Software's Mobile EliteBIOS enabling both the 200-MHz and the 233-MHz Mobile Pentium processors with MMX technology is immediately available.

Award Software is the leader in BIOS shipments with a 60 percent x86-based desktop and server market share worldwide. Every PC must have a BIOS, the software component without which the computer will not work. EliteBIOS is the cornerstone system management software (SMS) product that Award Software designs, develops and markets to manufacturers of desktop, server, mobile and embedded systems. EliteBIOS-powered PCs can become Managed PCs and can be remotely administered using MPCAccess(TM), one of several solutions in the SMSAccess(TM) suite of products designed to ease administration and reduce total cost of PC ownership. Award Software's CardWare(R) enables full utilization of PC Card devices with MS Windows NT(R). Manufacturers of Internet appliances and other embedded devices can greatly reduce time to market by designing in Award Software products such as APIAccess(TM), which integrates Win32(R) applications into real-time systems, and USBAccess(TM) which offers seamless USB Connectivity for host and devices into products based upon operating systems that don't support the USB standard.

Award Software's new subsidiary, Unicore(R) Software, provides vital BIOS upgrades to extend PC life, and diagnostics tools to reduce PC repair time, including PC DIAG(TM) and POSTcard(R). Award Software continues to expand its research and development efforts to create innovative new products for the growing computer and embedded systems industries. Corporate headquarters are in Mountain View, Calif. and the company has offices in North Andover, Mass., Germany, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information, e-mail info@award.com .

The company's stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol AWRD. More information can be obtained from the company's SEC filing or by visiting Award Software's Web site at http://www.award.com .

The statements in this news release, other than the historical financial information, may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including those associated with the acceptance of new technology and products, Award Software's ability to respond to technological change and other market conditions that could caused actual results to differ materially. Further information on factors that could affect the company's results are detailed in Award Software's Annual Report on Form 10-K and on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. -0-

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CONTACT: Award Software International(R) Inc.

Toni Goodrich, 650/237-6831

toni_goodrich@award.com

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Stapleton Communications Inc.