AST'S NEW ASCENTIA 950N PENTIUM NOTEBOOK PULLS THE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE
TOGETHER FOR A COMPLETE MOBILE SOLUTION

New Docking Station Gives Users Multimedia Capabilities

IRVINE, Calif., May 30, 1995 -- Mobile PC users accustomed to either
compromising on features and performance or paying a premium for them, can
now hit the road with the power of a high-end desktop PC with AST
Computer's new Pentium notebook. The Ascentia 950N, introduced today, is
the newest star in the award-winning AST Ascentia notebook computer
family.

"Unlike other notebook PCs that offer a single "silver bullet" feature, the
Ascentia 950N is the most complete mobile PC solution available on the
market today," said Chet Pribonic, AST vice president and general manager,
mobile products. "Our customers clearly want the power that only a Pentium
processor can deliver. They also want long battery life and the biggest
and brightest screens available in an affordable and lightweight design --
we answered their wish list with the Ascentia 950N."

Designed for the mainstream professional user, the Ascentia 950N delivers
up to four hours of battery life, the industry's largest 10.4-inch
high-resolution screens, 500MB, 800MB, or 1.2GB hard drives, and
multimedia capabilities -- all without asking users to break the bank.

The Ascentia 950N, available in June through AST's authorized resellers,
has estimated street prices starting at $3,499.

"AST has delivered a winning combination of performance and price with the
introduction of the Ascentia 950N," said Stephen Nachtsheim, Intel's vice
president and general manager of the Mobile and Handheld Products Group.
"By combining the speed and performance of Intel's 75MHz Pentium processor
with key mobile features and functionality, AST is sending a message to
mainstream mobile users that Pentium notebooks are affordable mobile
solutions."

The Desktop-Equivalent 950N Closes the Gap Between Desktops and Portables

The 950N combines Intel's 75MHz Pentium processor with 256KB of Level 2
cache memory, giving the already powerful processor a performance boost.
Users can speed through graphics and processor-intensive applications,
such as database or spreadsheet manipulation and multimedia presentations
incorporating full motion video, sound and animation.

Complementing the powerful processor are large removable 500MB, 800MB or
1.2GB hard drives and 8MB of RAM, expandable to 40MB. In addition,
advanced VL 32-bit local bus video, 1MB of video RAM and a graphics
accelerator enable graphics intensive applications, such as multimedia
presentations with full motion video, to run faster and smoother.

The Ascentia 950N delivers up to four hours of battery life, taking full
advantage of Sony's advanced lithium ion battery technology. In addition,
AST's industry-recognized Advanced Power Management reacts to users' work
styles, automatically powering down the hard drive and screen after
periods of inactivity, significantly extending battery life and computing
time.

10.4-inch High-Resolution Dual Scan and TFT Displays Provide More Viewing
Area

AST extends its performance advantage by offering the industry's largest
color high-resolution screens on the market. The Ascentia 950N line
incorporates either 10.4-inch Super VGA TFT screens and Super VGA
Dual-Scan STN screens from Hitachi and Sanyo. These high resolution
screens display images in 800 x 600 pixel resolution, providing crisp,
clear images. Users working with financial spreadsheets or graphics
programs can actually see 56 percent more text, image or spreadsheet
columns than on the same size screen with 640 x 480 resolution.

Expanded Mode Lets Graphics and Video Fill Entire Screen Without Black
Border

Multimedia developers and avid Doom game-players will appreciate the 950N's
ability to play video or display graphic programs in expanded mode,
allowing 640 x 480 images to completely fill the 800 x 600 screen. Other
high-resolution displays rim the images with a one-inch black border,
wasting 64 percent of the screen size.

Multimedia Capabilities/Support

AST continues to provide complete mobile solutions to all users by offering
multimedia capabilities without the added cost, weight or battery drain
associated with integrated CDROM drives. Embedded Creative Labs' Sound
Blaster Vibra 16 hardware allows users to incorporate .WAV and MIDI audio
functions in almost any file or document, and voice, music and sound
effects can be recorded through the built-in microphone. A large 36mm
single speaker provides high-quality unamplified sound, and audio line
in/out ports allow the 950N to be connected to external stereo sound
systems or a CDROM drive. By using the Cirrus logic video controller with
its imbedded video capabilities, .AVI files can be played back at
unprecedented speed, significantly reducing the number of dropped frames.
The 950N allows sales, service and training professionals to interweave
full-motion .AVI video files with music, effects or voice-overs to create
mesmerizing presentations.

New ProStation Docking Station also Available in a Multimedia
Configuration

AST's new ProStation docking station is available for customers who use
their Ascentia 950N as a desktop replacement in the office and want the
convenience of easily connecting their notebook to a local area network or
additional peripherals such as printers, external keyboards or monitors.
The new docking station supports Windows 95 plug and play with war n
docking, allowing users to dock or undock while in suspend mode.
Additional features include Teflon coated guiderails for manual VCR-style
insertion and a large platform stand that will support a 100-pound
monitor.

For users requiring multimedia capabilities in the office, ProStation is
also available in a multimedia configuration, incorporating an integrated
quad-speed enhanced IDE CD-ROM drive, two eight-watt AC-powered speakers,
Creative Labs microphone and Sound Blaster Vibra 16-bit audio card and all
accompanying Sound Blaster applications. Professionals can use the
multimedia docking station to install CD-ROM based software, view CD-ROM
titles, and develop multimedia presentations.

ProStation and ProStation Multimedia are compatible with all of AST's
Ascentia high-performance notebooks, including the 900N and 910N. The
estimated selling price for ProStation is $549 and $749 for ProStation
Multimedia.

Full Sized Keyboard Design Actually Helps Dissipate Heat

AST has incorporated a new heat dissipation design (patent pending) into
the Ascentia 950N, solving thermal issues associated with the faster
processor and eliminating the need for a cooling fan. A heat sink
connected to a copper pipe funnels the heat to the aluminum backing of the
full size keyboard. A natural conductor of heat, the aluminum backing
quickly cools and dissipates the warmer temperature generated by the
Pentium processor. The Ascentia 950N weighs just over six pounds, and the
integrated SmartPoint trackstick gives users a comfortable keyboard
design.

Infrared Communications Gives Users Easiest Way Yet to Send and Receive
Data

The 950N lets users communicate through wired and wireless connections.
Built-in infrared communications lets users send and receive data or print
to other infrared-equipped devices without cluttered wires and cable
connections. Users simply point the notebook at the receiving equipment
and input the appropriate commands. An adapter is available so users can
use their Ascentia 950N with desktops, notebooks and printers that do not
have infrared capabilities.

In addition, compatibility with more than 300 optional PC cards allows
users to expand storage, take advantage of multimedia sound cards and
CD-ROM drives, dial into on-line services, link into the office network,
fax memos and check their electronic mail. In addition, the 950N comes
pre-loaded with a host of mobile-centric and multimedia software, some of
which include: Delrina's WinFax and COMit LITE, ConnectSoft's E-Mail
Connection, OAG Flight Disk, Microsoft's RunTime Video for Windows and
starter kits for America Online, Prodigy and CompuServe online services.

Worldwide Service and Support

The Ascentia 950N is covered by a worldwide three-year limited warranty,
giving users the flexibility and convenience of having their notebook
computer serviced throughout the world. Users who purchase and service
their Ascentia 950N notebook in the United States will receive AST's free
48-hour rapid repair service, ExeCare Plus SM, for the first year. Years
two and three are covered by a carry-in warranty. They may also choose to
upgrade their warranty through ExeCare Plus' 24-hour replacement program.
AST's Authorized Service Centers also offer state-of-the-art service
programs. International customers are serviced on a carry-in basis by any
of the authorized AST Service Providers located in more than 30 countries
around the world. Service may vary according to the warranty terms of each
country. Upgrade programs are also available outside the United States.

Corporate Background

AST Research Inc., a member of the Fortune 500 list of America's largest
industrial and service companies, is one of the world's leading personal
computer manufacturers. The $2.367 billion company develops PC products
ranging from portable systems to superservers sold in more than 100
countries worldwide. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton
Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif 92619-7005. Telephone (714)
727-4141 or (800) 876-4278. Fax: (714) 727-9355.

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