Compaq's Windows XP Lineup Now Available

Compaq PCs With Windows XP Now Available Online and in Retail Outlets Nationwide Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today made available its PC lineup powered by the new Microsoft Windows XP operating system, which officially launched today in New York.

Compaq Windows XP-based offerings bring the latest technologies to consumers through Presario desktop and notebook PCs, featuring Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 and AMD(R) Athlon(TM) 4 at attractive price points. Business customers can order Evo desktop PCs pre-loaded with Windows XP Professional through resellers or direct from Compaq, in addition to a full array of Windows XP Ready PCs for businesses.

"We believe the introduction of Windows XP is the most significant milestone for the PC industry this year," said Mike Larson, senior vice president and general manager of Compaq's Access Business Group. "By combining the attractiveness of the retail shopping experience with in-store, build-to-order direct kiosks and our direct online ordering capability, we're giving our customers unmatched purchasing choices, innovative products and a variety of Internet and wireless capabilities."

The introduction of Windows XP is expected to establish a new standard in dependability and simplicity, providing a new, friendly and stable computing experience for PC users. The new operating system's digital media features will also help Compaq customers extend their PCs' multimedia capabilities, such as digital music and photo albums, and applications like the popular MyMovieSTUDIO home movie-making solution.

"The launch of Windows XP could not have been the success that it is without the support of partners such as Compaq," said Jim Allchin, group vice president of the Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "Windows XP on Compaq PCs will enhance the computing experiences of customers worldwide."

The full Compaq Windows XP lineup includes three consumer notebooks, two consumer desktop models and one business desktop model available with either Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional.

Redefining power, freedom and mobile design, the Presario 2700 Notebook PC offers desktop-like performance with the fastest Intel Pentium III processors at speeds up to 1.13 GHz, the fastest graphics processor available, and both a fixed optical drive and hot-swappable FutureBay(TM).

The FutureBay is a second bay that allows the notebook to hold a second optical drive (CD-RW / DVD combo, CD-RW, DVD or CD), so users can copy data from one drive to another without saving to the hard drive and swap disks - providing ultimate productivity and flexibility. The FutureBay can also hold a second battery, increasing battery life, or simply a floppy disk drive or weight saver.

Featuring the ATI Mobility Radeon with 4X AGP and modular video memory, JBL Pro speakers for thunderous sound and 15-inch display, the Presario 2700 Notebook PC is a fusion of power and entertainment. At just over seven pounds and one-and-one-half inches thin fully loaded, the Presario 2700 is also broadband ready and includes Presario Wireless Mobility options, making it the ultimate mobile PC.

Available with Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional preinstalled, the Presario 2700 retail models start at just $1,699, with a $100 manufacturer's rebate. When ordered direct from Compaq, consumers can configure the Presario 2700 to reach price points as low as $1,299.

The new feature-rich Presario 700 is an innovative, aggressively priced notebook PC capable of handling the most demanding applications with the fastest AMD processors up to 1.2 GHz. The Presario 700 can be configured with DVD/CD-RW combo drives, up to 20 GB hard drive and 384 MB SDRAM. Featuring a bright 14.1-inch display, integrated broadband capability with V.92 modem and Wireless Mobility Options, the well-connected Presario 700 provides ultra-fast networking capability for the connected home or office, and is available with the choice of Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional. The Presario 700 notebook PC starts as low as $999 direct from Compaq.

The popular thin and light Presario 1700 Notebook PC is also available with Windows XP, offering Intel Pentium III processors at speeds up 1.13 GHz. The Presario 1700 starts at just $1,599 at retail, which also includes a $100 manufacturer's rebate, or as low as $1,148 when configured direct from Compaq.

Providing power and flexibility, the long-time favorite Presario 5000 is also available with Windows XP, offering enhanced Internet access features and multimedia applications to make the most of the digital music, video and picture capabilities of Windows XP. Great for the home and small offices, the Presario 5000 is available with either Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional and AMD Duron or Athlon, or Intel Celeron or Pentium 4 processors starting at the affordable price of just $899.

Compaq also offers its sleek new Presario desktop form factor preloaded with the new operating system: the Presario 8000 Desktop PC. Available only direct from Compaq at www.compaq.com or through Compaq "Built for You" kiosks located in retail outlets, the Presario 8000 is the fastest PC on the market, configurable with either AMD or Intel processors at speeds up to 2 GHz. The ultimate PC for enhanced video editing and gaming experienced through Windows XP, the Presario 8000 features the latest in rewritable technology and Compaq's exclusive MyMovieSTUDIO home movie-making solution. The MyMovieSTUDIO application offers consumers the latest in DVD authoring technology, allowing them to turn their PC into a TV and digital VCR with ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon card. A gamer's dream machine, the Presario 8000 also features the nVidia GeForce 3, 64 MB DDR graphics card for mind-blowing speed and color graphics. Available with either Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional preinstalled, prices for the Presario 8000 start at just $1,199.

In addition, both the Presario 5000 and 8000 series PCs are packaged with Quicken Financial Center/Quicken New User Edition and the Compaq-exclusive Electronic Arts Sports and Games bundle featuring five full-title versions of the most popular EA games, which include Madden NFL(TM) 2001, Triple Play(TM) 2001, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR(R) 2001, Need for Speed(TM) - Porsche(R) Unleashed and SimCity 3000(TM) Unlimited. And when configured direct from Compaq, both series PCs include six months free AOL Internet service.

For more information about Compaq consumer PCs available with Windows XP, visit a local retailer or Compaq kiosk located in more than 10,000 popular retail stores and many traditional retail locations, or check out the Compaq Web site at http://www.athome.compaq.com .

For businesses requiring top value and the lowest total cost of ownership with maximum stability and manageability, Compaq offers the Evo Desktop D500 small form factor pre-loaded with Windows XP Professional. The smallest, most expandable form factor available today, the Evo Desktop D500 offers the latest in processor technologies with Intel Pentium 4 processors and 845 chipsets at speeds up to 1.9 GHz. The Evo Desktop D500 series can be configured with up to 3 GB SDRAM, SMART II hard drives; and supports a common and stable software image across products with a common chipset for quick and easy deployment and management. Available through resellers or direct from Compaq, the Evo Desktop D500 series starts at just $719.

All series of Evo PCs for business customers are Windows XP Ready, simplifying the process for businesses that will eventually migrate their infrastructure to the new operating system. For more information about Compaq PCs for businesses and upcoming Windows XP-based offerings, visit www.compaq.com/products/desktops .

Company Background
Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation ("Compaq") is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault- tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at www.compaq.com .

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SOURCE Compaq Computer Corporation