Zenith Data Systems moves to capture larger piece of portables PC pie with
expanded low-price notebook line

Announces economical new Z-STAR model, plus Z-STAR EX enhancements

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. -- July 17, 1995 -- In an aggressive move to capture an
even bigger piece of the portable PC pie, Zenith Data Systems (ZDS)
announced today an addition to its notebook product line, the new Z-STAR,
as well as enhancements to the popular Z-STAR EX notebook computer. The
new streamlined Z-STAR model boasts powerful computing at rock-bottom
prices. The upgraded Z-STAR EX features improved value with a larger
display, enhanced drives and more processing power for the same or lower
cost.

These moves give a great midlife kicker to our midrange portable line. It
is the perfect match for many costconscious customers, said Cliff Jenks,
ZDS executive vice president of sales and marketing. Our new ZSTAR
introduction and existing model upgrades offer entrylevel, ultraaffordable
alternatives to higher priced notebooks with just the featureset our
customers want.

New STAR-studded Price, Design and Configuration

Zenith Data Systems' decades of experience in the portable market are
reflected in the efficient simplicity and indisputable value afforded by
the latest Z-STAR portable. Pricing for standard configurations range from
a low ZDS price of $1,299 (*) for a monochrome version, to an economical
$1,799 (*) for the DSTN color system. (Prices are in U.S. dollars.)

Sporting a smart, streamlined design, the new Z-STAR features a built-in AC
adapter that eliminates the need for cumbersome external adapters and
cables. In addition to integrating its own power supply, the Z-STAR offers
a removable NiCad battery and swappable floppy disk drive, further
reducing the pieces and pounds that need to be carried with the portable.
The overall travelling weight of the monochrome model is 5.8 pounds and
the color unit is 6 pounds.

Our new Z-STAR is the product of closely studying the way people really
work and travel with a notebook -- when comfort and convenience are
paramount, said Jenks. We give users hours of computing with the NiCad
battery pack, the option to plug in a standard shaver cord for a quick
recharge, and the ability to simply pop in standard alkaline batteries for
an extra 45 minutes of operation to get through a crunch. That's what
working on the go is all about. And we're offering it all at extremely
attractive prices!

The new Z-STAR includes an Intel 486 DX2/50 processor, 8K cache, 4MB RAM
upgradable to 20, a 250MB hard drive and a numeric coprocessor in its
standard configuration. Customers can choose between a crisp monochrome or
dazzling dual-scan color display. It also comes with a PCMCIA Type III
slot and a full complement of industry-standard ports, including parallel,
external video and a PS/2-style keyboard port. Its low-profile,
full-function keyboard features an integrated 19mm trackball-type pointing
device. MS-DOS and Windows are pre-installed.

Our cost-conscious customers will appreciate the new Z-STAR right down to
their bottom lines, said Jenks. Inside and out, the new Z-STAR is a
powerful and practical computing value.

A Z-STAR with a 9.4-inch DSTN, 4MB of RAM and a 250MB hard drive has a ZDS
price of $1,799 (*). The same configuration with an 8.0-inch monochrome
screen is $1,299 (*).

Shipping now, the Z-STAR is available through ZDS authorized resellers.

Z-STAR EXtras Mean More for the Money

To further appeal to cost-conscious customers, ZDS is now shipping enhanced
models of the Z-STAR EX portable with bigger, better features for the same
or lower prices as previous models. The upgraded Z-STAR EX now hosts a
larger 10.4-inch DSTN display panel for the same price as previous models
with a 9.5-inch DSTN. The Intel DX2/50 processor in the Z-STAR EX has been
upgraded to a DX4/75. New Z-STAR EX models will also feature enhanced IDE
hard drives, replacing the previous 200MB and 340MB HDDs with larger
capacity 250MB, 420MB and 520MB HDDs for the same or lower cost to
customers.

Our enhancements to the Z-STAR EX line make these portables a great buy
even for the tightest budgets, commented Jenks. Getting more screen size,
power and storage space for the same or less money is undeniable value and
will be extremely attractive to our commercial, education and government
customers.

Like the new Z-STAR models, the economical Z-STAR EX features
user-upgradable parts and a flexible modular design usually found only in
high-end notebooks. Z-STAR EX customers may select from user-upgradable
monochrome, dual-scan or active-matrix LCDs with 32-bit VESA local bus
video as well as large-capacity hard drives and memory.

The portable also offers elite functional features like the HandiPoint
pointing device embedded in the home row of the keyboard, and an
integrated AC adapter cube that slides easily in and out of the
floppy/battery slot for increased convenience and expanded battery life.

MS-DOS, Windows, PCMCIA card and socket services and CoSession host version
software come standard with each system.

A Z-STAR EX with an Intel 486 DX2/75 processor, 420MB hard drive, 4MB of
RAM and a DSTN has a ZDS price of $2,299 (*). With an active-matrix color
screen, the ZDS price is $2,899 (*).

A DSTN system sporting a 520MB hard drive is $2,499 (*) while one with an
active-matrix screen is $3,099 (*).

The newly upgraded Z-STAR EX portables are currently available through
authorized resellers.

Technical Support and Warranty Coverage

Zenith Data Systems offers 24hour, sevendaysaweek tollfree customer
assistance and product support. ZSTAR and Z-STAR EX notebook computers are
backed by a oneyear limited warranty for all parts and labor that includes
ZCARE onsite, next business day service. All response commitments are
based upon commercially reasonable efforts, and all response times may
vary depending on availability and/or the nature of the service
requested.

CoSession remote assistance software is also included standard with all
ZSTAR EX notebooks. When used with a modem, it enables a ZDS technical
consultant to provide dialin analysis of a customer's computer.

Zenith Data Systems

Zenith Data Systems, a Bull company, offers a full line of personal
computer products ranging from high-performance servers and network-ready
desktops to its award-winning line of notebook computers and wireless
mobile products. With sales locations in more than 30 countries, ZDS
markets its products to business, education and government. The company is
headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Ill., with engineering facilities in Santa
Clara, Calif., Billerica, Mass. and Buffalo Grove; and manufacturing
facilities in St. Joseph, Mich.

Zenith Data Systems, 2150 East Lake Cook Road, Buffalo Grove, Ill., 60089,
(708) 8085000,

Fax (708) 8084434, Internet http://www.zds.com. Please direct reader
inquiries to (800) 5330331.

(*) All prices quoted reflect US pricing. Pricing in other countries may
vary. Prices quoted are ZDS prices. Reseller prices may vary. Resellers
determine their own pricing which may be higher or lower than Zenith Data
Systems' prices.
 
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