Compaq First to Adopt Adaptec's Latest Ultra 160 SCSI RAID Technology; Adaptec's SCSI RAID 2100S Delivers Critical Data Protection and Performance for Compaq's Newest Workstations

Business Wire, August 29, 2000

Business Editors/Technology Writers

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2000

Adaptec, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADPT), the global leader in innovative storage solutions, today announced that Compaq Computer Corporation is the first computer systems manufacturer to incorporate the company's new SCSI RAID 2100S technology. This RAID controller will be offered by Compaq in its Deskpro Workstation AP250 and Professional Workstations AP550 and SP750.

"Compaq now uses Adaptec for both high-performance SCSI and RAID products," said Rich Dodds, manager of workstation marketing at Compaq. "We are eager to adopt Adaptec's latest RAID products in our Deskpro and Professional Workstations and intend to offer SCSI RAID 2100S technology beginning September 2000."

Based on Adaptec's Ultra160 SCSI technology, the industry-leading performance of the 2100S SCSI RAID controller provides data transfer rates up to 160 MBytes/sec per channel for entry-level, mid-range and high-end workstations. The robust, compact controller is ideal for conventional rack-mount servers and workstations. The 2100S offers 32 MBytes of SDRAM cache memory, expandable to 128 MBytes.

Compaq's Deskpro Workstation AP250 and Professional Workstations AP550 and SP750 operate at 866 MHz and feature 2D and 3D graphics. Combining the convenience and ease-of-use of Compaq's Deskpro computers with the power of its Professional Workstations, the Deskpro Workstation AP250 provides an industry-standard, single-processor system at an affordable price. Compaq's AP550 and SP750 Professional Workstations offer Intel Pentium III and Pentium III Xeon dual processor capability to easily power technical and graphics-intensive professional users while providing the scalability and price/performance these professionals require.

"Compaq selected Adaptec RAID because it meets the ever-increasing performance and data availability demands that are placed on today's workstations," said Lee Caswell, vice president of Adaptec's OEM Solutions Group. "In addition to providing superior data protection and performance, Adaptec's RAID solutions are backed by the Company's unique `RAID Everywhere' initiative, which provides industry-leading levels of compatibility, reliability, affordability and technical support."

About RAID Everywhere

Adaptec's RAID Everywhere initiative, launched in August 2000, is designed to accelerate the widespread adoption of RAID in the PC server/high-end PC markets for higher levels of data protection and greater speeds of information exchange in support of business strategies. Key components of the plan include new product and technology developments, compatibility testing and educational and support programs aimed at making RAID more affordable, accessible and easy to use.

About Adaptec

Adaptec (NASDAQ: ADPT) is the global leader in innovative storage solutions. Adaptec's hardware and software solutions for business and Internet applications move, manage, and protect critical data and digital content. Adaptec's direct-attached storage, network storage solutions and desktop software solutions for digital content are found in high-performance networks, servers, workstations and desktops from the world's leading manufacturers, and are sold through distribution channels to ISPs, enterprises, medium and small businesses and consumers. Adaptec is an S&P 500 and a NASDAQ 100 member. More information is available at www.adaptec.com.