HP AND MICROSOFT INTRODUCE FIRST SUPERPORTABLE PC 

HP OmniBook 300 Sets New Standard in Computing Convenience; First Mobile PC
With ROM-based Windows Applications and Built-in Mouse

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 7, 1993 - Hewlett-Packard Company and Microsoft
Corporation today introduced the HP OmniBook 300 "superportable" personal
computer (PC), which is the smallest and lightest PC on the market to
feature a full-size keyboard and full VGA screen.

The superportable - called this because it gives users full-size-PC
convenience anytime, anywhere with no boot-up and no set-up - is a product
of an alliance between HP and Microsoft.

Measuring a slim 11.1 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches, and weighing only 2.9 pounds, the
386-based superportable fits easily into a briefcase and can be carried
comfortably. k has an enhanced reflective display, PCMCIA hard-disk drive
or flash-disk-based mass storage that can run on four AA batteries.

The HP OmniBook 300's unique hassle-free computing features include the
following:

* "instant-on" applications - the industry's first hot-key access to a
suite of Microsoft Windows applications, including Microsoft Word and
Microsoft Excel. It contains hot-key access to HP's suite of built-in
applications for convenient time management, including Phone 800k,
Appointment Book and Financial Calculator.

* pointing device - a revolutionary, built-in pop-up mouse provides
performance that matches that of any desktop mouse. k offers superior
built-in convenience while eliminating the need to learn an alternative
pointing method.

* long battery life - superior power-management design allows extended use
of the OmniBook's rechargeable batteries. Typical continuous use is up to
nine hours in systems using flash disks and up to five hours in systems
with hard disks.

"The HP OmniBook 300 superportable is the product of our vision of a new
age: that of pervasive computing," said Lewis E. Platt, president and
chief executive officer of HP. "With the superportable, HP and Microsoft
are creating an exciting new category of portable personal computing that
emphasizes more than size and weight. For years, people have been making
computers smaller and lighter; we're the first companies to design a
mobile system specifically designed for convenience of use while
on-the-go."

"We are pleased to have worked closely with HP on the development of the
OmniBook 300. HP has produced a great piece of engineering; the size,
weight and battery life are quite phenomenal," said Bill Gates, CEO of
Microsoft Corp. "What's more, the OmniBook is the first machine with
ROM-based versions of Microsoft Excel and Word, the most popular
applications for Windows. HP's OmniBook 300 is truly a 'Windows' machine.

Information Anywhere, Anytime Built in

The HP OmniBook 300 incorporates the Microsoft Windows 3.1 operating
system, the preferred Windows applications and HP's persona information
management (PIM) tools for the creation and communication of information
on the go.

For the HP OmniBook 300, Microsoft created the first read-only memory (ROM)
versions of any major Windows applications. Because the software operates
in ROM, the HP OmniBook 300 features instant-on and one-touch task
switching. There are no boot delays or prolonged application switching.

"Our research indicated mobile PC users wanted the ability to access and
create information easily, without compromises in application performance
and mobility," said Prank Cloutier, general manager of HP's Corvallis
(Ore.) Division. "By incorporating Microsoft's application suite in the HP
OmniBook 300, we give them all the leading desktop PC business tools word
processor, spreadsheet and communications in a compact machine optimized
for instant application access."

The leading applications provide powerful tools for business people
increasing their productivity. Microsoft Excel makes spreadsheet tasks
easier by providing customers with a wealth of features ranging from basic
functions, such as drag and drop, autoformat and autofill, to high-end
analytical capabilities, including scenario manager, cross tabs and
workbooks.

Complementing the HP OmniBook 300's full-size keyboard, Microsoft Word
makes everyday word-processing tasks easier and offers customers a full
set of features, including a customizable tool bar, drag-and-drop,
print-merge helper and envelope generator.

HP OmniBook 300 users can replace their bulky, paper organizers with the HP
Appointment Book, Phone Book and Financial Calculator included in its ROM.
These are the same organizing tools built into the HP 100LX palmtop PC.

Intuitive Pointing Device

To provide maximum usability in the Windows environment, HP developed a
revolutionary pointing device - the pop-up mouse. It provides superior
performance over other portable pointing devices on the market. The pop-up
mouse was tested against a wide range of available pointing devices, and
users were able to do mouse-related tasks faster and more accurately with
the pop-up mouse. Because the mouse is built in, it is already for use and
can be used anywhere, even when no surface is available.

The advantage to the pop-up mouse design is that it works just as the user
would expect. Extensive research by HP human-factors engineers found
alternative pointing devices, such as track balls, required people to
relearn new skills - often with significant learning curves. The pop-up
mouse functions as any common desktop mouse does and does not require that
the user learn any new skills.

Storage and Battery Life

The HP OmniBook 300 is available with two storage options, a 40-MB PCMCIA
2.0, type III hard disk or a 10-MB flash disk located on a PCMCIA 2.0,
type II card. Both storage options take advantage of the system's built-in
DoubleSpace compression program to provide twice the storage capacity 80MB
and 20MB respectively.

Storage can be upgraded easily through the system's three available PCMCIA
2.0 slots. The system software is located on a ROM card in an additional
PCMCIA slot, allowing for easy future upgrades of the system and
application software in ROM.

Extensive Communications

The extensive communications capabilities of the HP OmniBook 30 include
Traveling Software's new LapLink Remote Access PC linking so for easy file
exchange, archiving and installing additional applications. Through the
linking software, the HP OmniBook 300 can connect to a desktop, network,
or portable computer so that the computer's and OmniBook's disk and
printer resources are seamlessly linked. The HP OmniBook 300 is the first
PC to use Traveling Software's new Remote Software.

The HP OmniBook 300 supports communications through a user-installable
2400-baud data, 9600-baud send/receive fax modem. This optional fax/modem
includes Microsoft Mail Remote version 3.2 to access e-mail systems,
WinFax LITE to send or receive faxes and DynaComm for terminal emulation.

Microsoft Mail Remote is the industry's first remote e-mail client that
takes full advantage of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It
provides added features such as a view headers option, the ability to read
and create messages off line and automatic dial-ups that can be scheduled
for the times when phone rates are cheapest or when users are other vise
occupied. In the United States, the Remote Client offers connectivity to
AT&T EasyLink services, the largest public e-mail carrier in the world,
which provides Microsoft Mail users out-of-the-box connectivity to
millions of public e-mail, fax and telex users.

WinFax LITE is used to send or receive faxes directly from Microsoft
Windows. Users can send single or multiple faxes immediately or schedule
them for later transmission. They can customize fax headers, view faxes
four different zoom levels and manage more than 1,000 names and phone
numbers with its built in phone book.

DynaComm communications software offers a phone dialer, connection cost
tracking and logins for major e-mail services in addition to 14
terminal-emulation and nine text and binary file-transfer protocols.

U.S. Availability

The HP OmniBook 300 is available now through HP's worldwide network of
authorized resellers.

Product Support

U.S. OmniBook 300 customers get unlimited free support with a toll call
through HP's new comprehensive support program. U.S. OmniBook 300
customers call just one phone number to receive hardware and software
assistance. There also is an automated 800 number that is available 24
hours a day, seven days a week, with fax-back capability for application
notes and most commonly asked questions. For hardware repair, HP offers
overnight product exchange through its Express Exchange Program.

Product                                    U.S. Prices

HP OmniBook 300 with 40MB hard disk          $ 1,950
HP OmniBook 300 with 10MB flash disk           2,375
Fax/Modem Communications Pack                    379
2MB RAM expansion                                179
AC/DC adapter                                     99
Rechargeable battery pack                         99
5MB flash card(1)                                499
10MB flash card(1)                               879
HP OmniBook PIM Software to Desktop PCs           79

(1)built-in compression doubles each flash card's capacity.

The HP OmniBook 300 joins HP's family of personal information appliances
that are setting the standard for easy-to-use mobile devices. Th devices
feature one-touch access to leading applications and extensive
communications capabilities to allow for the creation, manipulation,
access and communication of information anywhere, anytime.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Hewlett-Packard Company is an international manufacturer of measurement and
computation products and systems recognized for excellence in quality and
support. The company's products and services are used in industry,
business, engineering, science, medicine and education in approximately
110 countries. HP has 93,800 employees and had revenue of $16.4 billion in
its 1992 fiscal year.

Sales information may be obtained by calling: 1-800-443-1254 (U.S. only)

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