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Notebooks Near Pricing Parity With Desktop Computers: $1,199 233MHz Notebook Computer Hits the Market!
Columbus, Ohio--April 7, 1998--WinBook Corporation revolutionized notebook computer pricing in the U.S. today with its announcement of the feature-rich WinBook XL 233 dual-scan. With the introduction of this model, notebook computer pricing has nearly reached parity with similarly equipped desktop computers (see chart on below1).
WinBook has narrowed the gap in price between similarly equipped notebook and desktop computers from over $1,400 at the beginning of 1998 to just $135.2
| Notebook versus Desktop Pricing as of 4/7/98 | ||||
| Desktop Vendors | Notebook Vendor | |||
| Compaq | Dell | IBM | WinBook | |
| Model | Presario 4540 | Latitude XPS | Aptiva E26 | XL 233 dual-scan |
| Processor | 233MHz MMX | 233MHz Intel®Pentium®MMX | 233MHz MMX | 233MHz MMX |
| RAM | 32MB | 32MB | 32MB | 16MB |
| Hard drive | 3.2 GB | 4.3GB | 3.2 GB | 1.6 GB |
| Modem | 56K Flex | 56K Flex | 56K Flex | Optional 56K Flex |
| CD-ROM | 20X max | 32X max | 24X max | 20X max |
| Viewable area (diagonal) | 13.5-inch | 13.7-inch | 13.5-inch | 12.1-inch |
| Base Price | $999 | $1,363 | $999 | $1,199 |
| Price with monitor | $1,348 | $1,493 | $1,349 | $1,199 |
| Upgrade to 32MB of RAM | std | std | std | $125 |
| 56K modem | std | std | std | $159 |
| Total Price | $1,348 | $1,493 | $1,349 | $1,483 |
| 4/7/98.
From web sites of Compaq, Dell, and IBM. $0 credit given for software bundles. |
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Strongest Notebook Value In The U.S. Market
"Today, the mobile computing market belongs to companies with exceptional strength in forecasting and inventory control systems. Declining component prices, coupled with WinBook’s just-in-time production and rapid inventory turnover enable us to give our customers the strongest notebook computer values in the U.S. market," said Richard Mershad, president of WinBook Computer Corporation.
The new WinBook XL 233 dual-scan is designed to open the mobile computing market to a whole new group of computer buyers who previously had no choice but to go with a desktop model. The $1,199 WinBook XL 233 dual-scan is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, students, education professionals, and first-time computer buyers," said Mershad.
Well-Equipped Even At $1199
Starting at $1,199, the new WinBook XL 233 dual-scan includes:
- High-performance 233 MHz MMX processor3,
- Fast 20X maximum speed CD-ROM drive,
- 12.1" SVGA (800 x 600) display with high-contrast dual-scan technology for bright, crisp images,
- PCI Graphics Accelerator with 2MB video DRAM,
- 1.6 GB Removable hard drive,
- "Three-spindle, all-in-one" design with CD-ROM, floppy, and hard drive installed simultaneously,
- Available high-speed 56K Kflex internal fax/modem (customers who buy competing products must give up a Type II PCMCIA slot),
- 16 MB of EDO DRAM expandable to 128MB,
- Integrated 16-bit stereo audio,
- Integrated dual-button Touchpad pointing device.
Multimedia
The $1,199 WinBook XL 233 dual-scan offers the same multimedia capabilities as more expensive WinBook XL models. It includes PCI graphics accelerator with 2 MB video RAM, Zoomed video support, software MPEG support, NTSC video-out capability, and Soundblaster Pro-compatible 16-bit stereo audio with built-in speakers and microphone.
The Zoomed video port provides users with the ability to transfer video data from the PCMCIA slots directly to the display screen, bypassing the system bus. MPEG I support furnishes users with full-screen, full-motion video playback at near standard VHS resolution (MPEG I achieves resolutions of 352 x 240 @ 30 frames/second). Users may also display presentations on large screen television monitors using NTSC video-out capability.
Communication
Despite its low $1,199 price, the WinBook XL 233 dual-scan offers the convenience of an optional internal 56K Kflex modem so that users can stay connected to work, school, and friends. The optional internal 56K Kflex is just $159, and leaves PCMCIA slots available for other uses. The PCMCIA card slot will accommodate one Type III or two Type II PC cards.
Power Management
Battery life on the WinBook XL 233 dual-scan is enhanced through the use of low-voltage, high performance components and an advanced power management system which includes LCD and hard-drive power-down functions, plus standby, suspend-to-disk, and suspend-to-RAM modes with automatic resume for fax/modem activity
Ports
All WinBook XL 233 dual-scan models include the following ports:
- Enhanced/extended capabilities parallel,
- Serial,
- SVGA,
- PS2 keyboard/mouse,
- 2-way IrDA 1.1 (4Mb/s) compatible wireless communications interface
- Line-in (stereo),
- Line-out (stereo),
- Mic-in,
- RCA jack for TV-out (NTSC-video out),
- 2 Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface ports (4 pin),
- WinDock™ Port Replicator connector (80 pin)
Ideal For Education
The rugged, inexpensive WinBook XL 233 dual-scan is the perfect solution for families looking for a notebook for their children to take to college or for younger students to use for note taking, research and homework. Powerful and sturdy, the $1,199 WinBook XL 233 dual-scan offers the right combination of performance, communications capabilities, and mobility.
Options
Options for the WinBook XL 233 dual-scan model include:
- $159 56Kbps internal fax/modem,
- $99 WinDock™ Port replicator.
Leasing And 90-days Same-As-Cash Payment Alternatives
WinBook has not only priced the new WinBook XL 233 dual-scan to open the mobile computing market to a whole new group of computer buyers, but has provided attractive leasing and 90-day same as cash alternatives to make it even easier to buy. Customers can lease the $1,199 WinBook XL 233 dual-scan for just $40 per month (36 month Business Lease), or purchase the WinBook XL 233 dual-scan on a 90-days same-as-cash plan with the WinBook credit card.
WinBook PremiumCare
WinBook offers an optional $299 3-year limited warranty (Sorry, not available to residents of Florida.) which covers the cost of service (parts and labor) on any hardware (excludes software and batteries) purchased from WinBook, plus free overnight pickup and delivery anywhere in the continental United States.
The Company
WinBook Computer Corporation sells the new WinBook XL 233 dual-scan models directly at http://www.winbook.com or (800) 468-2162. In addition, WinBook models are sold through MICRO ELECTRONICS' thirteen MICRO CENTER stores. All WinBooks come with 24-hour burn-in protection, a one-year warranty on parts and labor (optional three-year PremiumCare is available on WinBooks sold by WinBook Computer Corporation, not available in Flordia), and lifetime toll-free technical support.
International Data Corporation reports that WinBook ranks seventh in U.S. notebook sales for 1997 with 3.4% market share, up from ninth place one year ago.
1Desktop prices are average of suggested retail prices for comparably equipped Compaq Presario and IBM Aptiva desktops. Notebook prices are direct prices for comparably equipped WinBook notebook computers.
2$1,400 price difference between comparably equipped IBM Aptiva E34 (including 15-inch monitor) and WinBook XL 233 TFT model as of 1/7/98. $135 price difference between Compaq Presario 4640 or IBM Aptiva E26 and WinBook XL as of 4/7/98.
3WinBook XL233 dual-scan models accommodate 233 MHz MMX processors from both AMD and Intel®.