AST RESEARCH RECEIVES READER'S CHOICE AWARD FOR SERVICE AND RELIABILITY
FROM PC MAGAZINE

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 10, 1993 -- PC Magazine, the largest personal computer
magazine, has distinguished AST Research Inc. with an award for Service
and Reliability in its latest Reader's Choice survey. AST, one of 35
manufacturers of desktop systems considered in the semi-annual survey,
ranked significantly above average for overall system reliability and
customer satisfaction. Results are featured in the publication's Feb. 9
issue.

"Desktop computers from AST stood out from the crowd," said editors. "They
earned results that significantly exceeded the average rating for system
reliability and customer satisfaction with repair experience and technical
support."

PC Magazine editors sent surveys to 17,000 randomly selected subscribers
asking them to rate the overall reliability and satisfaction with repair
and technical support services of each PC they have used during the past
two years. They had a 50 percent response rate, and considered 50
responses per vendor the minimum needed for an accurate analysis of each
company's performance.

"AST has always provided us with good products. Everything we get from them
gets an "A" Grade for reliability," said Dwayne Neagle, sales manager for
Direct Computer Super Stores, one of AST's largest resellers in the Dallas
region. "The corporations and companies which buy from us regard the AST
systems as the industry standard."

AST's industry-renowned service and support efforts are directed by Donald
R. Leighton, who was recently appointed to the position of vice president,
worldwide product services. AST sells its corporate notebooks, desktops,
servers and multiprocessors exclusively through the reseller channel and
supplements its reseller service programs with direct end-user support.
Under his direction, AST will continue to develop new service and support
programs to further distinguish its reseller and end-user offerings from
competitors.

"AST's obsession with customer satisfaction is very apparent in the
outstanding quality we build into our products and our continuing
aggressive expansion of customer support and service programs," said
Leighton. "We intend that AST service becomes an increasingly important
factor in our customer's decision to purchase an AST product."

AST provides one of the industry's highest levels of support, including
toll-free service six days a week and two 24-hour services -- "AST
On-Line" bulletin board and "AST Info-FAX", which allows access via
facsimile machine to a broad selection of technical support documentation.
AST's award-winning service supplements the customer's localized support
of more than 5,000 reseller locations nationwide. Further support is
provided by 1400 AST Authorized service Centers throughout the country.

AST also provides on-site service for selected models at more than 300
locations nationwide, including AST's Advanced System Support Centers. In
addition to its corporate programs, AST's nationwide reseller network
offers end users a variety of services and support plans, including 2-hour
on-site response. 

Corporate Background

Ranked number 431 on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial
companies, AST Research, Inc. is a prominent market share holder in
notebook, file server and desktop computers. Revenue for calendar year
1992 totalled more than $1.1 billion.

AST's product lines include the Power Premium, Bravo, Advantage!, the
PowerExec notebook, PC LapTop Magazine's "Newcomer of the Year", and the
Manhattan SMP, LAN Magazine's "Product of the Year", which allows users to
choose from a full range of price and performance options. The company is
represented in 100 countries and operates 34 international subsidiaries
and sales offices.

AST, 16215 Alton Parkway, PO Box 57005, Irvine, CA 92718
714-727-4141;  800-876-4278;  fax: 714-727-9355

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