AST CONTINUES QUICK-TO-MARKET MOMENTUM WITH LATEST INTEL PCI CHIP SET
TECHNOLOGY

Intel's 430HX PCI-set To Be Used In Next-Generation Of Bravo Commercial
Desktops

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EDITORIAL SUMMARY:

 AST plans to be one of the first PC manufacturers to deliver Intel's
 new 430HX PCIset to the commercial market with incorporation of
 the chip set into its spring lineup of aggressively priced,
 high-performance Bravo MS commercial desktops.

 With systems to begin shipping Spring, 1996, AST reinforces its
 commitment to the reseller channel by offering its quick-to-market
 strategy of delivering the right product at the right time at
 the right price.
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IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 12, 1996 -- Leading the pack with innovative,
quick-to-market delivery of technology, AST Computer today announced its
intent to support Intel's new fourth generation PCI chip set family for
Pentium processor-based business PCs. AST will incorporate the latest
Intel chip set, the Intel 430HX, into its award-winning line of Bravo MS
commercial desktops, scheduled for release spring, 1996.

Positioned as the aggressively priced commercial desktop champion, the
newest Bravo PCs will also be fueled by the latest Intel Pentium
processors. For optimized performance in memory-intensive applications,
the new Bravo family members will feature highly optimized subsystems
utilizing Extended Data Out (EDO) RAM, synchronous graphics RAM (SGRAM)
and pipeline burst cache.

"We have leveraged Intel's manufacturing processor technology to deliver
the excellence our commercial customers demand. With the latest Intel core
logic in our upcoming Bravo desktops, we allow our users to get on and off
the 'bus' quicker, as well as provide the optimal price/performance,
compatibility and reliability this discriminating audience has come to
expect from AST," said Laura Raybin, director of commercial desktop
marketing.

With this announcement, AST continues the momentum it began with the
introduction of the Intel Pentium Pro processor-based Bravo systems last
month.

HOP ON THE BUS - PCI

The Intel 430HX is one of Intel's first PCI chip sets to support Intel's
new Concurrent PCI which is important for providing increased bandwidth,
improved video and audio performance, as well as improvement of host-based
applications.

"Commercial users today are interested in obtaining key performance
features in one package at a great price. They are interested in maximum
performance and features such as full-motion video, graphics, disk system
throughput and Intel's 430HX PCIset helps deliver this performance," said
Raybin.

Also included in the Intel 430HX chip set is Universal Serial Bus (USB)
capability. USB is a specification that defines a single, standard
connector to replace the myriad of connectors currently found in PCs.

"USB is still in its infancy, but as the groundswell of acceptance
continues among commercial users, AST will be there, ready and willing to
provide support for it," Raybin noted.

SERVICE AND SUPPORT

AST backs all of its products with a host of multi-source support programs,
including a toll-free "hot" line for users in the United States. Available
as an option to commercial users is AST-LifeLine, an innovative,
interactive technical support system that incorporates Radish
Communications System's VoiceView integrated voice and data protocol with
custom AST technical support software. Using an ordinary phone line, voice
and data communications can be exchanged between the customer and PC
support technician to quickly evaluate the situation and implement a "real
time" solution or "fix" during a single call.

Info-FAX, a 24-hour local and international voice-automated fax-response
product information source lets users download product information.
Additionally, AST OnLine!, AST's own bulletin board service, as well as
Compuserve (GO:ASTFORUM),

America Online (KEYWORD:AST) and Prodigy (JUMP:AST SUPPORT) online forums
allow users to talk, meet, share ideas and answer questions with other AST
users. Information about AST and its products can be found on the World
Wide Web at http://www.ast.com.

CORPORATE BACKGROUND

AST Research Inc., a member of the Fortune 500 list of America's largest
industrial and service companies, is one of the world's leading personal
computer manufacturers. The $2.468 billion company develops a broad
spectrum of desktop, mobile and server PC products that are sold in more
than 100 countries worldwide. AST systems meet a wide range of customer
needs, from corporate business applications to advanced home and home
office use. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O.
Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone (714) 727-4141 or (800)
876-4278. Fax (714) 727-9355.
 
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