NEC Computers Inc. Announces Newest MobilePro-TM- Handheld PC Pro; MobilePro 880 H/PC Pro Builds on Continuing Success of NEC's Handheld Windows CE Devices

Business Wire, April 11, 2000

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000

NEC Computers Inc. today announced the MobilePro 880, the newest addition to the NEC line of MobilePro Handheld PC Pro computers (H/PC Pro). Building on the heritage of the award-winning MobilePro product family, the MobilePro 880 couples an ultra-light sub-notebook form factor with the benefits of the CE operating environment. The system features a nearly full size keyboard for easy typing, and an SVGA LCD display for easier document and web viewing.

The new MobilePro 880 offers increased processing speed over previous models and a new suite of enterprise oriented utilities and applications software. Features, like the "instant on" capability that MobilePro customers value, are now combined with a battery life longer than the MobilePro 800. Demanding mobile professionals should find the MobilePro 880 a portable business solution designed to provide superior document creation and viewing, enhanced e-mail communications and instant connection to USB peripherals. The MobilePro 880 is now available for approximately $949.(1)

A lightweight PC companion, the MobilePro 880 weighs only 2.6 pounds and is a mere 1 inch thick. The MobilePro 880's brilliant 9.4" diagonal display with SVGA 64K color offers full screen viewing. For enhanced application use, the display supports both touch and stylus input, and has ten "instant launch" touch buttons - five of which are programmable. The MobilePro 880 H/PC Pro is a thin client and enterprise PC companion, featuring NEC Electronics' VR4121(TM) MIPS(R) microprocessor that supports Microsoft(R) Windows CE(R) Handheld PC Professional Edition operating system, version 2.11 and version 3.01 of the Microsoft Pocket applications.

"The H/PC Pro market is stabilizing between a few key manufacturers. With the MobilePro 880, NEC Computers is focusing on vertical markets, such as education, pharmaceuticals and the health care industry," said Duane Cowgill, senior product manager for MobilePro at NEC Computers. "NEC Computers is aggressively pursuing the handheld market, leveraging Windows CE strength for enterprise use."

An Enterprise Computing Companion

Building on the heritage of the award-winning MobilePro product family, the MobilePro 880 H/PC Pro features a sub-notebook form factor with an extended feature set, including a 92% scale keyboard for lengthy "stay in charge" e-mail communications; an SVGA LCD display designed to provide larger document viewing and Web browsing; and USB connectivity for peripheral support.

Demanding enterprise users will find the MobilePro 880 a versatile platform for mission critical deployments. With Extended Systems(R) XTNDConnect Client(2) for Windows CE, formerly known as ASL-Connect(TM), The MobilePro 880 provides enhanced connectivity to Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes. The MobilePro 880 delivers client software programs sought by corporate customers, such as V-One(R) SmartPass(R) CE VPN Client(2) for Windows CE, which enables secure internet communications; bSQUARE(R) bUSEFUL(TM) Backup Plus and bUSEFUL(TM) Script utilities, which simplifies back-up and other systems management functions; and Citrix(R) ICA(R) Client(2) for Windows CE, which allows remote thin client access to Windows NT applications.

Full Line of H/PCs for Corporate Use

Although similar to the MobilePro 780, the MobilePro 880 offers a larger (800x600 pixels) display for full SVGA viewing and a USB port. Both systems are based on the 168MHz NEC Vr4121 CPU. The MobilePro 780 H/PC is slightly smaller weighing 1.7 pounds and is designed for customers whose priority is extreme mobility.

About NEC Computers Inc.

NEC Computers Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Computers International B.V., delivers mobile, desktop and server computing solutions to the commercial market in North America. For years, NEC's Versa(R) notebooks, PowerMate(R) desktops, Express5800 servers and MobilePro handheld PCs have won awards in leading industry publications, including PC Computing, PC Magazine and Mobile Computing. NEC Computers Inc. focuses on the computing needs of the corporate market and sells systems primarily through the reseller channel.

NEC Computers Inc. taps into the technological resources of NEC Corporation's extensive research and development facilities in Japan, where products are developed for the global marketplace. In 1999, NEC was awarded the second largest number of U.S. patents in the world, and serves as the source of NEC Computers Inc.'s technologically sophisticated products.

Editor's Note: NEC, PowerMate and Versa are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation used under exclusive license. MobilePro is a trademark. NEC Electronics and VR4121 are either trademarks or registered trademarks of NEC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

(1) Prices and specifications subject to change without notice.

Resellers determine their own pricing.