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WinBook launches Top-of-the-line WINBOOK XL3 series

New WinBooks Feature Most Powerful Mobile Processors Ever

Hilliard, Ohio, October 25, 1999 -- WinBook Corporation announced today its new top-of-the-line series, the WinBook XL3. The WinBook XL3 features Intel’s new Mobile Pentium III processors, which also debuted today. "The new WinBook XL3 series provides unprecedented performance for customers who want all the latest mobile technology, yet require a stable, dependable hardware platform," said Richard M. Mershad, WinBook president.

DESIGNED FOR THE MOBILE PENTIUM III PROCESSOR

Designed specifically for Intel’s new Mobile Pentium III processors, the WinBook XL3 series incorporates the latest mobile technology in order to showcase the capabilities of the new processors.

Key advantages of Intel’s new Mobile Pentium III processors:

INTEL MOBILE PENTIUM III KEY DESIGN FEATURES

Design feature

Benefit(s)

Internet Streaming SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) Extensions

Renders detailed scenes and lighting more realistically; Enhanced voice recognition; Increased frame rate, color depth, image size and responsiveness; Improved streaming video performance. Includes 70 new instructions for better graphics, audio and video on and off the internet.

100 MHz Front-side Bus

Faster access to memory and graphics enhances graphics performance.

0.18 micron Process Technology

Allows higher frequencies and improved power efficiencies

Lower thermals

Better battery life, lower fan noise, even better reliability

Intel designed the Mobile Pentium III processor to provide an enhanced Internet experience, improved performance, reduced power consumption and improved heat dissipation. The WinBook XL3 series incorporates state-of-the-art mobile technology to take advantage of the key design features of the Mobile Pentium III, like Internet streaming SIMD extensions and 100 MHz front-side bus. A brilliant 14.1-inch XGA (1024 x 768 resolution) active-matrix color screen, and ATI 3-D RagePro LT 3-D Graphics Accelerator with 8 MB of video SGRAM offer robust presentation capabilities. Internet streaming SIMD extensions and 100 MHz front-side bus enhance the performance of the 4X DVD-ROM with built-in MPEG II decoding standard on all WinBook XL3 models. The ESS Maestro-2EM 3-D PCI audio module and stereo speakers achieve more lifelike audio presentations.

The 100 MHz front-side bus also improves performance of the standard 2X Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), a dedicated processor bus for 3-D video graphics. 2X AGP can run graphics adapter cards at 66MHz, twice as fast as a PCI bus's 33MHz speed. It also can achieve 133 MHz data transfer throughputs, and provides burst data transfer rates of 528 MB per second. AGP graphics cards reduce the time needed for complex 3-D rendering functions by allowing large 3-D textures to be stored in the system's memory, rather than the graphics card's dedicated memory. This lets users enjoy a smoother, more realistic multimedia experience.

WINBOOK XL3 MODEL LINEUP

WinBook XL3 500

WinBook XL3 500

WinBook XL3 450

Processor

Mobile Pentium III processor at 500 MHz

Mobile Pentium III processor at 500 MHz

Mobile Pentium III processor at 450 MHz

Display

14.1-inch XGA TFT (1024 x 768)

14.1-inch XGA TFT (1024 x 768)

14.1-inch XGA TFT (1024 x 768)

Memory

256 MB SDRAM

128 MB SDRAM

64 MB SDRAM

Hard Drive*

18 GB UltraDMA

12 GB UltraDMA

12 GB UltraDMA

DVD Drive

4X DVD-ROM

4X DVD-ROM

4X DVD-ROM

Floppy Drive

LS-120 Super Drive

LS-120 Super Drive

LS-120 Super Drive

Pointing Devices

Simultaneously-usable Touchpad and Pointing Stick

Simultaneously-usable Touchpad and Pointing Stick

Simultaneously-usable Touchpad and Pointing Stick

Modem

v.90 56 kbps

v.90 56 kbps

v.90 56 kbps

Battery

9-cell Lithium-ion Smart battery

9-cell Lithium-ion Smart battery

9-cell Lithium-ion Smart battery

Price

$3,599

$3,199

$2,799

*Availability may be delayed on 18GB and 12GB hard drives. Initial shipments may substitute 10GB hard drives.

ONE OF THE THINNEST, LIGHTEST FULL-FEATURED NOTEBOOKS

At just 7.4 pounds and 1.5-inches thick, WinBook XL3 is among the thinnest, lightest three-spindle notebooks available (DVD-ROM, LS-120 Super Drive floppy drive, and hard drive are all present at once).

WinBook XL3: One of the Thinnest, Lightest full-featured notebook

All-in-one design?

Weight excluding AC adapter (in pounds)*

Thickness (in inches)*

Compaq Armada 7800

No

8.7

2.0

Compaq Prosignia 165

No

8.0

2.3

Compaq Presario 1825

Yes

7.9

1.9

Dell Inspiron 7500

Yes

8.4

2.1

Fujitsu Lifebook C-6330

Yes

7.5

1.7

Gateway Solo 9300 CX

Yes

7.8

1.6

IBM Thinkpad 770Z

No

7.8

2.2

Micron Transport NX

Yes

7.4

2.1

Sony Vaio PCG-F360

Yes

7.3

1.6

WinBook XL3

Yes

7.4

1.5

*Source: Portable Computing, 11/99.

STABLE PLATFORM DESIGNED FOR LOWER TOTAL COST

The new WinBook XL3 series continues the use of a stable hardware platform designed to lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) for corporate, educational, and government customers. Components have been designed for interchangeability and backwards-compatibility with current and previous WinBook models. Port replicators, AC adapters, batteries, car adapters, and hard drives can be shared with WinBook XL2, plus older XL and XLi series. Keyboards and system memory are compatible with WinBook XLi and XL2 models with dual pointing devices. DVD-ROMs and LS-120 Super Drives are also compatible with WinBook XL2 models1.

"We have designed the WinBook XL3 to offer the ultimate in technology and performance, while protecting our corporate customer’s long-term investment," said Richard Mershad, WinBook president. "With the WinBook XL3, our customers benefit from a stable platform with proven reliability."

MANAGEABILITY FOR ENTERPRISE

All WinBook models comply with advanced manageability standards including DMI (Desktop Management Initiative) 2.0, WfM (Wired for Management), and ACPI (Advanced Configuration Power Interface).

DMI 2.0 cuts support costs in corporate settings by standardizing the exchange of information among clients and administrators as well as allowing standardized remote procedure calls (RPCs).

WfM is a set of guidelines created by Intel that supplements DMI and covers asset management, remote configuration and reconfiguration, and power management. Corporate and institutional settings using WinBook XL3models can lower support costs by performing asset management functions, queries, and updates at night and on weekends.

An advanced power management system is now standard on all WinBook products (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, and ACPI). ACPI is an interface that allows the operating system to direct the WinBook XL3’s power management and system configuration. The WinBook XL3’s well-engineered power management means that it outlasts less powerful, less full-featured notebooks when users are flying, doing field-work, or engaged in other activities that require them to be away from AC outlets.

ENHANCED COMFORT AND UTILITY

WinBook keyboards have been redesigned to eliminate keyboard-flex and provide a firmer, more comfortable feel.

The WinBook XL3 features both a pointing stick and touchpad. Both are simultaneously usable, or either can be disabled for the ultimate in user-choice.

Multiple-image dual-display capability is now standard. This allows users to present one image on an external monitor, while showing a second image on the WinBook XL3’s 14.1-inch active-matrix screen.

PORTS

The WinBook XL3provides the following ports:

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 optional $99 WinDock® port replicator.

WinBook XL3 offers the convenience of PCMCIA Type II slots on both the left and right sides of the notebook. This eliminates having to struggle to get a LAN cable to reach the PC card slot.

UP TO $800 IN REBATES

WinBook offers up to $800 in rebates when customers purchase their WinBook online. Customers can receive a $400 instant rebate when they sign-up for ISP service at $21.95 per month for 36 months. Additionally, customers who open an E*TRADE account2 with a minimum investment of $1,000 will receive a $400 rebate in their E*TRADE account.

ABOUT WINBOOK

WinBook products have been honored with over 190 awards from the computer press, including awards from PC Magazine, PC World, PC Computing, Windows Magazine, Family PC, Computer Currents, Laptop Buyers Guide, and Portable Computing.

WinBook notebook computers are sold directly at (800) 468-2162 and www.winbook.com. In addition, selected WinBook models are sold through MICRO ELECTRONICS' sixteen MICRO CENTER stores.

1WinBook XL2 and XL3 models use different hard drive brackets from XL and XLi models. Keyboard cabling differs slightly on XLi from XL2 and XL3. Height of rubber feet on port replicators varies slightly on models equipped with Celeron processors.
2To be eligible, account must be opened with the minimum initial deposit of $1,000 and remain open for 1 year.
- Offer only valid for Individual and Joint accounts. Not valid for IRAs and other retirement, or custodial accounts.
- Excludes existing E*TRADE customers and non-residents of the U.S.
- Limit one new account bonus per household and per type of account.