Compaq and Fisher-Price Redefine Children's Computing With New Line of
Interactive Products

New Wonder Tools Family Introduced at Winter CES
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SUMMARY: Compaq and Fisher-Price today announced:

WONDER TOOLS: a new family of computing products designed for children
(ages 3-7) and their families. The first products introduced in the line
include:

WONDER TOOLS CRUISER AND SOFTWARE: an innovative driving console and CD-ROM
software that work together to provide a totally interactive way for
preschool children to play and learn on the home PC.

WONDER TOOLS KEYBOARD: more than just a standard keyboard, it includes
oversized keys, a mouse and activity software that makes the computer
easier and more fun for children.

INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE TITLES: A new line of stand-alone titles for children
and families.
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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 1996 -- Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) and
Fisher- Price Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT), today
unveiled Wonder Tools, a broad new line of educational and entertainment
multimedia products that create a new dimension in play and learning for
preschoolers and families using their home PCs.

The new product line, unveiled for the first time at the Winter Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, combines the learning and fun
expertise of Fisher-Price with the technical innovation of Compaq.
Designed specifically for children ages 3-7 and their families, the Wonder
Tools family includes three product categories: interactive computer toys,
preschool- appropriate peripherals, and stand-alone software titles for
children and families. Wonder Tools products are designed to be used with
any Windows-based PC, and are scheduled to be available in the United
States during the second half of 1996.

"Children and families are driving the computer-centered revolution and
they represent the brightest chapter in the convergence of consumer
electronics and computing," said Eckhard Pfeiffer, president and CEO of
Compaq. "Together with Fisher-Price, Compaq is dedicated to expanding the
role and importance of the home PC throughout our lives. Our joint effort
with Fisher-Price further illustrates Compaq's evolution to a broad-based
computer company -- meeting the needs of everyone from preschoolers and
their families to the world's largest corporations."

Compaq and Fisher-Price recently joined forces to design and manufacture
products that provide an engaging way for young children to harness the
power of multimedia PCs to learn and play. A special Wonder Tools Team,
made up of Compaq and Fisher-Price designers, engineers, education
specialists and marketing professionals worked with children, parents and
education experts to create the new line. The products have been
extensively tested for educational and play value at both Fisher-Price's
and Compaq's play labs and through focus group testing across the
country.

"No one knows fun and learning better than Fisher-Price. No one knows PCs
better than Compaq," said Byron Davis, president and CEO of Fisher- Price.
"Our partnership with Compaq will enable Fisher-Price to take toys to a
new level of excitement and learning potential."

The affordable line of Wonder Tools products will be available in the
United States through leading PC and toy retailers including traditional
computer superstores, mass merchandisers, consumer electronics stores, and
a number of toy stores, including Toys R Us. The first products announced
in the Wonder Tools family include:

THE WONDER TOOLS CRUISER

The Wonder Tools Cruiser is a unique, brightly colored driving themed toy,
complete with steering wheel, throttle, horn and "radio stations." It
allows children to navigate through specially created software adventures
and interact with fascinating characters, unscramble alphabet picture
puzzles, sort through a spaceship scrap yard and even invent and assemble
toys. The Wonder Tools Cruiser has been designed to improve memory,
develop fine motor skills, sharpen problem solving skills and fine-tune
decision making capabilities. By replacing the standard point and click of
a mouse with a steering wheel and joystick, children are truly in control
of their multimedia adventure.

The Wonder Tools Cruiser features a steering wheel that allows children to
literally drive through the adventure; a horn to clear obstacles from the
child's path; and a dial to select from three radio stations, turn on the
wipers, flash the headlights and choose various difficulty levels. There's
even an ignition key to start the vehicle; a throttle to go fast or slow,
forward, reverse or stop; a joystick to select objects and move things; an
interactive coin slot to pay "tolls" and practice counting; and
multi-colored buttons for making choices and learning colors.

The Wonder Tools Cruiser will carry an estimated retail price of
approximately $150 which includes one software title, "Spruce Squirrel's
Hiccup Mix-up," that takes children on an adventure that explores three
fun worlds: land, sea and space. Compaq and Fisher-Price are currently
developing additional software adventures for the Wonder Tools Cruiser
which are expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 1996.

WONDER TOOLS KEYBOARD

The Wonder Tools Keyboard features a combination of hardware and software
that creates an exclusive children's environment that makes the computer
easier and more fun for youngsters. It was specifically designed by Compaq
and Fisher-Price to meet the needs of preschoolers.

The Wonder Tools Keyboard is a fully functioning keyboard and mouse that
works with all industry standard PCs and software, and is designed
specifically to be preschool-appropriate and preschool-friendly so that
children can interact with the home PC on their level. The keyboard
features over-sized keys and numbers, a finger mouse for pointing and
clicking, and special function buttons for quick and easy ways to snap a
picture of a scene, get help from characters, and get to the home screen
and exit the program.

The Wonder Tools Keyboard includes one software title that provides easy
access to other children's programs, safety features that protect parents'
files, and other activities that let kids have fun while they are learning
to use the computer. The Wonder Tools Keyboard and software is expected to
be priced at approximately $130 and scheduled to be available in the
summer of 1996.

NEW INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE TITLES FROM WONDER TOOLS

Compaq and Fisher-Price have also created stand-alone interactive software
titles for children and families that can be used with any Windows-based
multimedia PC and keyboard.

Rounding out the preschool PC experience, the Wonder Tools line offers a
series of CD- ROM titles that help children explore a variety of fun and
educational topics, including arts and crafts, storymaking and the
alphabet. The titles, scheduled to be available in the fall, include
"Cyber Grannies," "Over in the Meadow," and "Wacky Jacks -- The Family
Edition."

Compaq and Fisher-Price are also currently developing a series of
family-oriented software titles that will provide parents with information
on activities and topics related to families and raising children.

CORPORATE BACKGROUNDS

Awholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. since 1993, Fisher-Price, Inc. is
a leading manufacturer of toys and children's products. The company was
founded in 1930 and enjoys a reputation for designing and manufacturing
high-quality, imaginative toys for infants and preschoolers, as well as
innovative children's products such as video monitors and strollers.

Mattel, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing
of children's toys. With headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel has
offices and facilities in 36 countries and sells its products in more than
140 nations throughout the world.

Compaq Computer Corporation is the world's largest supplier of personal
computers, offering desktop PCs, portable PCs, servers and options.
Founded in 1982, the company reported 1994 worldwide sales of $10.9
billion. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries
throughout the world. Compaq also sells products directly to customers
through Compaq Direct Plus at 1-800-888-5858. Compaq provides 24-hour
customer support and can be reached through the Compaq forums on America
Online, CompuServe, Internet (http://www.compaq.com), and Prodigy, or by
calling 1-800-345-1518.
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For further editorial information, contact:

COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION
-Mike Berman, Brian Temple:  713/514-0484

MILLER/SHANDWICK TECHNOLOGIES
-Cheryl Delgreco, Matt Lloyd, mlloyd@millercom.com:  617/536-0470

FISHER-PRICE
-Laurie Strong:  716/687-3395

SHANDWICK/USA
-Kristi Kovalak, Tosha Whitten:  404/653-8779
-James Korenchen:   212/420-8100

All prices listed herein are estimated U.S. retail prices; actual prices
may vary.
 
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