(EMAILWIRE.COM, May 07, 2001 ) NEC Computers Inc., a leading provider of mobile, desktop and server computing solutions for the enterprise market, today introduced the NEC Versa(R) TXi, the lightest ultraportable notebook computer engineered with the versatility of a modular bay.

The Versa TXi, featuring a stylish industrial shape and silver magnesium casing, has a profile of 1.26-inches and weighs less than four pounds. The system operates on an Intel(R) Mobile Pentium(R) III 750MHz processor featuring Intel SpeedStep(TM) technology for advanced power-saving capabilities, and offers the full functionality and performance mobile professionals require.

"With the introduction of the Versa TXi, NEC Computers has ushered in a new class of ultraportable notebook systems," said Dr. J. Gerry Purdy, CEO and president of Mobile Insights. "This is the first full-function ultraportable notebook to combine a super-light, sub-four pound design with a two-spindle configuration and versatile modular bay. We believe that this unique combination puts the Versa TXi in the new class of ultraportables that include a bay."

Engineered with NEC Computers' new VersaBay(TM) IV technology, the Versa TXi is available with a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive or a CD-ROM drive. The DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive is ideal for users seeking the data storage and backup capabilities of a CD-RW drive and the entertainment and presentation features of a DVD player. An external USB 1.44MB1 floppy disk drive ships standard with the Versa TXi. In addition, a weight-saving module, also standard with the notebook, can cover the VersaBay IV slot when no device is installed, reducing travel weight by almost half a pound.

To satisfy a variety of mobility needs, two rechargeable lithium-ion battery options are available for the Versa TXi notebook computer. For extended mobile computing power, the standard battery can be replaced with an optional maximum-life 15-cell lithium-ion battery. Additionally, a modular 6-cell battery can simultaneously be inserted into the VersaBay IV drive.

"A growing number of mobile professionals in small-to-medium size businesses are looking for mobile systems that extend beyond the typical definition of a business PC," said Larry Miller, vice president of marketing for NEC Computers. "The Versa TXi is a beautifully engineered and executed system for those users who want a stylish computer that offers ultra-portability, without sacrificing the functionality and versatility of a notebook with a modular bay."

The Versa TXi notebook computer has a crisp 12.1-inch TFT XGA display with VGA and TV-out ports for quick connection to external devices. Additional multimedia capabilities include 3 USB ports for plug-and-play peripherals, such as digital cameras, scanners and printers, and an IEEE 1394 port for high-speed data transfers of digital video content.

The Versa TXi ships standard with a 20GB1 hard drive, 128MB memory and an integrated 10/100 Ethernet and V.90 modem combo card for fast connection to a networked environment or dial-up service. The Versa TXi also ships with a choice of Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 98 Second Edition or Windows 2000 operating systems pre-installed.

Pricing and Availability

The Versa TXi notebook computer is available at Micro Center(R) retail outlets nationwide, and is also available built-to-order through select resellers, or by contacting NEC Computers at 888-632-8701. A sample base configuration includes a Pentium III 750MHz processor featuring Intel SpeedStep technology, 12.1-inch TFT display, 128MB RAM, 20GB1 HDD, USB FDD, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive for approximately $3,399 (US) or $5,179 (CND).

NEC UltraCare(R) Service

The NEC Versa TXi comes with a 3-year limited warranty3 covering parts, labor and hardware technical support. Concurrent with the limited warranty, the customer receives at no additional charge one concurrent year of UltraCare Preferred Service, which offers door-to-door courier pickup and return (where available) plus repair service usually rendered within one business day after receipt for most common hardware problems.4 The UltraCare "No-Fault Screen"2 Assurance Service Plan is also available for $169 per year in the U.S. In the U.S. and Canada, UltraCare Service includes a toll-free hotline for hardware technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week (excluding some holidays).

About NEC Computers Inc.

NEC Computers Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Technologies, Inc., delivers mobile, desktop and server computing solutions to the commercial market in North America. For years, select models of NEC's Versa notebook and PowerMate(R) desktop computers, MobilePro(TM) handheld PCs, and Express5800 servers have won awards in leading industry publications, including Smart Business, PC Magazine and Mobile Computing. NEC Computers (www.neccomp.com) focuses on the computing needs of the corporate market and sells systems primarily through the reseller channel. NEC Computers taps into the technological resources of NEC Corporation's (NEC) (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.1) extensive research and development facilities in Japan, where products are developed for the global marketplace. In 2000, NEC Corporation held the second largest number of patents in the U.S. and serves as the source of NEC Computers' technologically sophisticated products.

Editor's Note: Information and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual reseller prices may vary. NEC and PowerMate are registered trademarks; Versa is a U.S. registered trademark; UltraCare is a U.S. registered service mark; and MobilePro and VersaBay are trademarks of NEC Corporation and/or one or more of its subsidiaries. All are used under license. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks and SpeedStep is a trademark of Intel Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. (C) 2001 NEC Computers Inc.

1 When referring to hard drive capacity, GB stands for one billion bytes. Some utilities may indicate varying hard drive capacities. Total user-accessible capacity may vary depending on operating environment.
2 Minor cosmetic damage and pixel damage within specifications are not covered. Go to http://support.neccomp.com/warranty/versaucsman.asp or call 800-632-4525 for details.
3 For a free copy of the limited warranty, write to NEC Computers Inc., Attn: Warranty Dept., 2371 South Presidents Drive, Suite A, West Valley City, UT 84120
4 Additional time is required for return of the repaired unit to the customer via ground freight.

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Produced for NEC Computers Inc.

Contacts:
Mike Manuel
Walt & Company
408-496-0900 ext. 1048
mmanuel@walt.com

Beth Makosey
NEC Computers Inc.
408-844-1128
beth.makosey@nec-computers.com


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NEC Computers Inc.
Joseph Nchor
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