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WinBook
Introduces Complete $999 Notebook
Ultravalue WinBook Redefines Notebook Pricing and Distribution
HILLIARD, Ohio -- September 21, 1998 -- WinBook Corporation announced today a new WinBook XL model for the fast-growing ultravalue segment priced at just $999. In conjunction with the introduction of this revised WinBook XL model, WinBook is launching its WEB DEAL™
Internet-only distribution program. This new WinBook XL model can be purchased only via www.winbook.com.
A RUGGED, RELIABLE LITTLE WORKHORSE
The new $999 WinBook XL is based on the same rugged, reliable WinBook XL model which passed a leading computer publication’s grueling torture test – where it was baked, frozen, dropped repeatedly, and doused with scalding coffee above the keyboard.1 WinBook has retained the tough, sturdy case and durable 12.1-inch screens, but has added Intel’s new 1.9-volt 233 MHz PGA (pin-grid-array) mobile Pentium processor with MMX Technology that runs faster and cooler. This revised cpu was designed specifically for the growing ultravalue segment. The result is a rugged, reliable little workhorse of a notebook.
The dual-scan WinBook XL model isn’t intended for users who intend their notebooks mainly for video games, but is designed for the vast majority of mobile users who depend on their notebooks for work. The WinBook XL is great for working with spreadsheets, word processing, email, internet access, and databases – the applications most mobile users work with everyday. For users who require an active-matrix screen, this is available on a model that starts at just $1,399.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR MOBILE COMPUTING -- EVEN AT $999
The revised WinBook XL all-in-one notebook offers corporations, small- and medium-sized businesses, students, and professionals the lowest-priced notebook from any major manufacturer to use the 233MHz Intel mobile Pentium processor with MMX Technology.2 Even at just $999, the WinBook XL has all the essentials for mobile computing – 233 MHz Pentium MMX; 16MB of EDO DRAM expandable to 128 MB; high performance 1.6 GB UltraDMA hard drive; floppy drive; 20X maximum-speed CD-ROM, 12.1-inch color screen and long lasting 9-cell Smart NiMH battery. In fact, the WinBook XL series has many of the same features found on our more expensive WinBook XLi Intel Pentium II–based notebooks. Like the XLi, standard multimedia features include zoomed video, software MPEG support for full-motion video playback, NTSC video-out capability, and 16-bit stereo audio with built-in speakers and microphone.
The WinBook XL 233 DSTN is completely equipped:
| Model and screen | Processor | MHz | RAM | Hard Drive | CD-ROM (max speed) | Modem | Battery | Price |
| WinBook XL 233 12.1-inch DSTN | Intel Pentium with MMX Technology (PGA) | 233 |
16MB EDO DRAM | 1.6 GB UltraDMA | 20X CD-ROM | Optional PC card modem | NiMH Smart battery | $999 |
Connecting to the optional WinDock® $99 port replicator, $59.99 Ergonomic keyboard, $29.99 Microsoft mouse, and an external monitor makes the WinBook XL a great replacement for a desktop computer. Removing the unit from the WinDock® port replicator for trips or taking work home is quick and convenient.
The WinBook XL is amply equipped with ports even at $999. All of the following are included:
In addition, separate PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, and MIDI/joystick ports are included along with parallel, serial, USB, and external SVGA monitor ports, and Headphone jack on the affordable $99 WinDock® port replicator.
EASY TO BUY – WITH A RADICAL WEB-ONLY DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
WinBook has found that its customers prefer placing an order via a secure website to placing the same order over a telephone, because using the website is faster, easier and allows them to order 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week. By offering the WinBook XL exclusively at www.winbook.com, WinBook cuts transaction costs and is able to pass the savings on to our customers.
EASY TO PAY FOR
Not only is WinBook offering the WinBook XL at an extraordinarily affordable price of $999, WinBook also made the XL extraordinarily easy to pay for. Customers who have a WinBook credit card can take advantage of WinBook’s 90-days-same-as-cash purchase plan.
EASY TO USE
WinBook has designed the WinBook XL to be exceptionally easy and comfortable to use. It’s all-in-one design makes the CD-ROM, floppy drive, and hard drive available simultaneously to give users easy access to the entire functionality of their notebook whenever they need it. WinBook XL owners can avoid the inconvenience of continually exchanging components and possibly losing or damaging them.
The WinBook XL features a comfortable 87-key Windows98 keyboard that provides full-sized 19 mm. keys and 3 mm. of up-and-down keyboard travel. The XL includes an easy to use touchpad centered in the palmrest.
EASY AND INEXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN
The revised WinBook XL series was designed not only to be inexpensive to buy, but to provide low total cost of ownership and easy maintenance. WinBook has designed the WinDock® port replicators, AC adapters, batteries, car adapters, and hard drives for our most expensive XL2 to also be compatible with XL, and XLi models.
WinBook provides manuals that are unusually user-friendly. As one editor noted, the XL includes a " beautifully printed and easy-to-read and understand user’s manual. Nothing generic here; this book tells you exactly what you need to know about your computer and backs it up with equally specific illustrations."3
WinBook’s comprehensive tech support website is simple and convenient to use twenty-four hours per day, seven-days per week.
EXCEPTIONAL purchasing, inventory management, and distribution EFFICIENCY
"Today, the mobile computing market belongs to companies with exceptional strength in forecasting, purchasing 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. Greater efficiencies in these areas permit WinBook to bring the WinBook XL to market at just $999.
WinBook’s direct distribution model cuts costs through shipping our products directly to customers from our factory. Our unique WEB-DEALTM sales strategy cuts sales transaction costs, plus provides customers greater control and convenience.
THE COMPANY
WinBook Computer Corporation sells the WinBook XL 233 DSTN exclusively at www.winbook.com. The WinBook XLi and XL2 models can also be purchased directly at (800) 468-2162. In addition, selected WinBook models are sold through MICRO ELECTRONICS' thirteen MICRO CENTER stores.
WinBook products have won over 150 awards from the computer press, including awards from PC Magazine, PC World, PC Computing, Windows Magazine, Byte, Family PC, Computer Currents, Laptop Buyers Guide, Portable Computing, and PC Portables. That's why we call WinBook computers- "Critically proven."
International Data Corporation reports that WinBook ranked seventh in U.S. notebook sales for all of 1997 with 3.3% market share.4 For 1998, WinBook is enjoying both record sales and record growth. In fact, by late June, WinBook already surpassed annual shipments for any previous entire year with more than three months remaining in its fiscal year (Oct 1, 1997 through Sept. 31, 1998).
14/98
PC Computing
2WinBook XL 233DSTN is priced lower than Compaq
Presario 1230 (233MHz Cyrix MediaGX), Toshiba Satellite
320CDS, IBM Thinkpad 385, Acer Extensa 368D,
NEC Versa LX, Gateway Solo 2500 XL (200 MHz
Pentium MMX), Fujitsu LifeBook 280DX , Hitachi VisionBook
, H-P OmniBook 2103 (from websites as of 8/27/98, and
audit of 9/98 Ziff-Davis publications).
3Portable Computing Direct Shopper 7/98
4IDC’s
Quarterly PC Update, May, 1998.