HP Introduces Its First CD-Writer/DVD Combo Drive and High-speed CD-Writer

Business Wire, March 13, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---March 13, 2001

Combo Drive Allows Consumers to Store Digital Music Faster and

Play Video and Gaming DVDs with One Component

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) today unveiled the company's first HP CD-Writer/DVD combination drive and a new high-performance HP CD-Writer drive. With these drives, Internet consumers are able to store and share music and images, and create their own custom CDs in less time.

The HP CD-Writer DVD Combo 9900ci drive is an internal drive that can be used to read DVD discs, download and store MP3 files and digital images, create custom discs and play CDs. While supplies last, customers who purchase this drive will receive DVD player software that allows them to play DVD movies or multimedia games on a PC.

The high-performance internal HP CD-Writer 9710i allows consumers to write 650 MB of data -- 74 minutes of audio to a CD -- in about five minutes. With this CD-writer drive, HP is offering one of the fastest write speeds in the industry today.

"HP CD-Writers allow people to store, share or take with them information they have captured from the Internet," said John Spofford, vice president and general manager, HP Colorado Personal Storage Solutions. "These new drives add to HP's range of options for downloading music, images and other digital content quickly and easily."

Bundled Software and Accessories

HP CD-Writers provide a one-box solution for novice and expert users who want to create custom CDs. Both drives come with HP MyCD software to simplify the recording process.

In addition, each product includes software that enables users to:

-- store and organize MP3 files(1) and convert them into files or music tracks
that can be used on other CD players;

-- share and store digital images, including valuable scanned family documents;


-- archive and share digital photography;

-- create personalized CD labels and CD jewel-case covers; and

-- back up and organize critical business and personal data files to conserve
hard-drive space.

Availability and Pricing

Both products are expected to be available in the United States later this month wherever name-brand computers and consumer electronics are sold.

HP offers a full line of CD-writers that provide options for everyone, from novice computer users to experienced PC enthusiasts. HP CD-Writers are offered in a variety of connections including an external USB drive that provides portability, plug-and-play functionality, internal and external SCSI-connect drives, and a variety of IDE-connect drives.

Drive      Performance               Connect           Estimated U.S.
                                                       Street Price(4)
9900ci     12x10x32x8x(2)            internal IDE         $349
710i       16x10x40x(3)              internal IDE         $299
8230e      4x4x6x(3)                 external USB         $199
9150i      8x4x32x(3)                internal IDE         $149
9350i      10x4x32x(3)               internal IDE         $179
9510i      12x8x32x(3)               internal IDE         $199
9600si     12x8x32x(3)               internal SCSI        $299
9600se     12x8x32x(3)               external SCSI        $349

More information is available at http://www.hpcdwriter.com.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple appliances, useful e-services and solutions for an Internet infrastructure that's always on.

HP had total revenue from continuing operations of $48.8 billion in its 2000 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

(1) HP does not endorse or encourage the use of the HP CD-Writer product for purposes other than those permitted by national copyright law.

(2) Speeds refer to the maximum write, rewrite, CD-read and DVD-read performance speeds.

(3) Speeds refer to the maximum write, rewrite and CD-read performance speeds.

(4) Actual prices may vary.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain products and services may not develop as expected; that development of these products and services may not proceed as planned; and other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2000, and subsequently filed reports. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, HP's results could differ materially from HP's expectations in these statements. HP does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.