Dell Begins Shipping Windows 98 On Its Consumer and Small Business PCs; Launches Online Windows 98 Customer Assistance Programs

Business Wire, June 25, 1998

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 1998--Dell Computer Corporation (NASDAQ:DELL) today announced that it has begun shipping the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 98 operating system on its desktop and notebook PCs for home and small business customers, with a planned rollout this summer on its corporate products.

The new operating system is shipping on Dell Dimension(R) XPS desktop PCs and Inspiron(tm) 3200 notebook PCs in addition to Dell's standard software bundles that include a choice of Microsoft Office Professional and Small Business Edition, and Microsoft Home Essentials. The company expects to add Windows 98 to its software offerings on its corporate systems, including Dell OptiPlex(R) desktop PCs, Latitude(R) notebook PCs and Dell Precision(tm) workstations in the next few weeks.

"Dell is already receiving interest and demand for Windows 98 from its home and small business customers who have consistently led the marketplace adoption of new technologies including operating systems," said Carl Everett, senior vice president, Dell personal systems group. "We expect a rapid transition to Windows 98 similar to the pace at which customers moved to Windows 95. Shortly after the Microsoft Windows 95 launch in August 1995, Dell was able to completely transition its entire Dell Dimension product line to the new operating system."

Dell attributes much of its demand for Windows 98 to its customer software transition programs. The company is notifying its Dimension and Inspiron home and small business customers of a special Windows 98 website, www.dell.com/98upgrade, created to assist with upgrading their systems to Windows 98 and to answer frequently asked questions about the new operating system. Additionally, Dell customers can also access Dell service and support representatives 24-hours a day with questions about Windows 98.

For its business customers, Dell created OS Assist, a program to help IS managers evaluate and manage the move to Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows NT(tm) 4.0. The Dell OS Assist program integrates hardware and software planning and is designed to help enterprise customers develop a transition strategy. Through advance planning and the coordination of the migration process, Dell customers can save money and maintain stable, standardized environments.

OS Assist currently is offered exclusively for OptiPlex desktop PCs. Dell plans to extend the program to its other products designed for networked environments, including Dell Latitude notebook PCs and Dell Precision workstations.

"One of the advantages of Dell's direct model is knowing our customers and being accountable for their needs," said Everett. "By customizing our product and services to our customers' specifications, we are well equipped to help lead them through major technology transitions, including the move to Windows 98 or Windows NT Workstation."

Ranked in the top 125 of Fortune 500(R) companies, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $13.6 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs and customizes products and services to end-user requirements, and offers an extensive selection of peripherals and software through the DellWare(R) program. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number 800/388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web server at www.dell.com.

Dell, Latitude and Optiplex are registered trademarks, Inspiron and Precision are trademarks and DellWare is a registered service mark of Dell Computer Corporation.

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks and NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.

Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

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