NEC INTRODUCES THE VERSAPAD: NEWEST MEMBER OF THE VERSA FAMILY 

A Pen Tablet System that Combines Lightweight and Superior
Price-Performance with Maximum Functionality

(Boxborough, Mass., July 19, 1993)--NEC Technologies, Inc. today expands
its Versa family with the introduction of the VersaPad--a superior
price-performing, lightweight pen tablet. With prices starting at $2,999,
the VersaPad pen tablet offers a significant price-performance
breakthrough in pen-based computing, while incorporating the latest
innovations in pen-tablet technology. Consistent with NEC's reputation for
technological achievement and quality, the VersaPad pen tablet's
award-winning design is built specifically to maximize the productivity of
the mobile professional.

"NEC is committed to versatile, expandable solutions that meet the needs of
the mobile professional and the VersaPad pen tablet is especially designed
for mobile corporate users who want to use pen as their primary method of
input," said Bob Levin, director of portable marketing at NEC
Technologies. "To date, users have been hindered by the lack of
high-performance, reasonably priced tablets. NEC responded to this
challenge by building a tablet computer that maximizes performance,
minimizes weight, and meets our high-quality standard at an extremely
competitive price."

The Versa Family of Innovative Products

Like the UltraLite Versa notebook computer, the VersaPad pen tablet offers
greater computing performance with up to double the battery life of other
pen tablets. The VersaPad pen tablet's i486SL processor from Intel
Corporation, 3.3 volt, 20MHz design provides uncompromising performance
and extended battery life for even the most powerful mobile applications.
The VersaPad pen tablet offers 4MB RAM (expandable to 20MB), up to an 80MB
internal HDD, a 9.4" transreflective display for clear viewing indoors or
outside, a full complement of standard ports, including an Enhanced
Parallel Port (EPP) and an external SVGA CRT port capable of displaying
simultaneous video.

In addition, the VersaPad pen tablet provides two ExCA compatible PCMCIA
Type II slots for easy user configuration of industry standard I/O
peripherals such as fax modems, local area network cards, flash memory
cards and wireless communications devices.

Enhanced Versatility

The VersaPad pen tablet, originally introduced as the UltraLite Autograph
pen computer, has been enhanced to incorporate three new differentiating
features-- maximum hard disk storage has been increased from 40 to 80MB,
allowing users to choose the disk that best suits their needs; system RAM
is now user-expandable to 20MB; and Handwriter, from CIC, has been bundled
to provide VersaPad users with an advanced handwriting recognition
capability.

Like the UltraLite Versa notebook, the VersaPad pen tablet's versatility
enables users to swap batteries without leaving their application or
powering down the system, and to easily add communication and storage
devices with credit-card size PCMCIA cards.

Additionally, the VersaPad pen tablet now supports all four of the leading
pen-computing operating environments--Windows for Pen Computing, PenPoint,
PenRight! and PenDOS. The VersaPad pen tablet's dual-boot versatility
allows users to load Windows for Pen Computing and PenPoint on the same
system.

Innovations 

The VersaPad pen tablet incorporates a long list of technological
innovations including:

-- Handwriter Recognition Engine 

The VersaPad pen tablet comes standard with Communication Intelligence
Corporation's (CIC), Handwriting Recognition System (HRS) for the Windows
for Pen Computing and PenDOS operating environments. Offering a more
natural input style especially suited for portable computing, the HRS
software allows users to readily interact with the VersaPad pen tablet.

-- Local Bus Video 

NEC has pioneered local bus video for the portable computer. With this
added feature, users will experience improved video performance especially
in graphical pen environments.

-- PCMCIA Type II Slots 

NEC's commitment to open architectures and industry standards is
demonstrated by the inclusion of two PCMCIA Type II slots in the VersaPad
pen tablet. (Loading PCMCIA cards is as easy as inserting a floppy disk
into a portable computer.) NEC's implementation of QuickSwap allows for
features such as changing cards without powering down the system.

-- HotZone Icons 

Similar in concept to keyboard function keys, NEC has innovated
programmable HotZone icons that allow quick, easy access to frequently
used functions. By simply tapping the active HotZone icons with the pen, a
user can access various pre-defined functions such as: the system setup
menu, turning the backlight on and off, reversing the video, as well as
several other common tasks. The programmable HotZone icons allow VARs,
ISVs and corporate developers to integrate more commonly used functions
into their software applications.

-- Low Power Design 

As with the UltraLite Versa notebook computer, NEC integrates 3.3 volt
technology throughout the VersaPad pen tablet, giving users significant
improvements on battery life independent of usage. Combined with NEC's
implementation of Advanced Power Management (APM), the VersaPad pen tablet
is able to run from 3 to 5 hours on a standard NiMH battery pack and, with
an optional double capacity battery pack, users can double their battery
life from 6 to 8 hours. An internal bridge battery allows users to switch
batteries without exiting an application or powering down the system.

-- Notebook Carrying Case 

When used as a general purpose productivity tool, the VersaPad pen tablet
can reside in its specifically designed Notebook Carrying Case which holds
both an optional 83-key portable keyboard and the tablet in notebook
style. By using its built-in hinge, the VersaPad pen tablet's Notebook
Carrying Case is capable of supporting the display at a comfortable
viewing angle, allowing for stationary input of general purpose
applications such as word Processing and communications.

Availability and Service 

The VersaPad pen tablet, is available immediately through NEC's nationwide
network of authorized dealers and Value Added Resellers in mass
production. The VersaPad pen tablet comes standard with a one-year depot
warranty. VersaPad users may also subscribe to the NEC UltraCare Warranty
Service Program for extended coverage.

NEC Technologies. Inc. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of
computers and peripherals for the North American market. Product lines
include, award-winning MultiSync monitors, MultiSpin CD-ROM hardware,
ProSpeed laptop computers, UltraLite notebook computers, Silentwriter and
Colormate printers, PowerMate), Ready, Image and Express systems products.
NEC Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation.

NEC Technologies
1414 Massachusetts Ave, Boxborough, MA 01719-2298
508-264-8000

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