NO. 1 HOME COMPUTER SUPPLIER LAUNCHES PACKARD BELL PLATINUM SERIES

PACKARD BELL ROLLS OUT NEW LINE OF HIGH END MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Packard Bell Electronics, Inc. has unleashed a power-
packed new line of multimedia systems, the Packard Bell Platinum and
Platinum Pro series. The state-of-the-art, high-end systems are loaded
with high performance components and leading-edge technology for the power
home user.

The first manufacturer to deliver such industry innovations as pre- bundled
software, Packard Bell Navigator, a graphical user interface, and sleek,
stylish designs with color accents, Packard Bell is once again driving the
home PC market, introducing the most powerful multimedia systems to date,
bundled with the features to make computing more efficient and fun for the
consumer.

Loaded with the latest technology, the Packard Bell Platinum and Platinum
Pro PCs offer lightning quick processors and CD-ROM drives, extra memory,
increased hard disk storage space and high speed modems. Packard Bell is
also delivering the latest communications technology to the home PC arena,
VoiceView"TalkshopTM -- a state-of-the- art voice-over-data package by
Radish. Both systems will be delivered in the company's attractive
designer minitower.

PACKARD BELL PLATINUM PRO PC

Packard Bell's Platinum Pro systems offer Intel 150 MHz or 166 MHz Pentium
processors, the fastest Pentium chips available. The new machines, packed
with a 2.0 GB hard disk drive, 24 MB RAM, remote control and a 28.8
fax/modem, deliver high-speed computing to the home PC market.

The Packard Bell Platinum Pro also offers a six-speed CD-ROM drive for
faster performance and the quick program and data access required for
today's cutting edge multimedia. With a data transfer rate of 900 Kbps,
Packard Bell's new six-speed CD-ROM delivers smooth audio, video and
animation for demanding and graphic-intensive software applications.

PLATINUM PC BY PACKARD BELL

The Packard Bell Platinum PC, a high performance multimedia system for the
home, will ship with a powerful Intel 133 MHz, 150 MHz or 166 MHz Pentium
processor. The designer minitower PC harnesses a 1.6 GB hard drive, 16 MB
RAM, quad-speed or six-speed CD-ROM drive and a remote control.

The new series of Packard Bell Platinum systems will complement the
company's expansive family of Intel 75 MHz, 100 MHz, 120 MHz, and 133 MHz
Pentium processor-based systems.

"Packard Bell is expanding its high-speed computer line to satisfy the
consumer's craving for even more technology and features," said Mal
Ransom, vice president, marketing, Packard Bell. "We are not only meeting
market demand, but again driving the direction of the entire industry by
delivering leading-edge technology and innovation before other PC
manufacturers."

BOOSTED MEMORY

Packard Bell has beefed up memory and hard disk capacity on its expansive
lineup of multimedia systems, ensuring effortless multi-tasking and
providing extensive storage for all the spreadsheets, computations, games
and utility programs employed by active families and home office users.

"By adding more speed, storage and memory to our lineup, Packard Bell's
family of multimedia systems will satisfy the needs of all PC users," said
Ransom.

VOICE OVER DATA CAPABILITY

Packard Bell will also feature VoiceView Talkshop in all of these new
systems. VoiceView is an interactive application that allows PC users to
talk, share and exchange data in a single phone call. This technology can
be used for technical trouble shooting, shopping, multiple player game
interaction and electronic business card exchange.

With VoiceView Talkshop, Packard Bell owners can also shop electronically,
utilizing the standard phone line and visual power of the PC. When
tele-shopping at such online businesses as Blockbuster Music, 1-800
Flowers and American Airlines, users not only see products on their
screens, but can also summon salespeople to answer questions, provide
advice and discuss product features, just like at a real mall. Consumers
can also complete secure transactions, using a credit card, to purchase
products and services.

Providing access to all customer system configuration files, VoiceView
Talkshop allows graphics and data to be exchanged between customers and
Packard Bell support technicians in order to quickly diagnose software and
hardware problems. This customer service enhancement gives every Packard
Bell owner a personal home technician.

UPGRADED SOFTWARE BUNDLE

Packard Bell's new Platinum and Platinum Pro multimedia systems are bundled
with more than 40 titles, with the latest upgrades, including Microsoft
Encarta( 96, Microsoft Works 95, Microsoft Design Pack, Microsoft Money
4.0, Quicken Special Edition, and Stick-Ups Lite, a utility program
launching on-screen notes with customized fonts and colors.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Packard Bell continues to answer the consumer demand for ease of use and
more entertainment features. The new multifunctional PCs offer:

 MPEG full motion video playback of Windows based CD games, movies
 and concerts

 Enhanced Music CD (CD-Extra), a brand new standard, allowing users
 to listen to their favorite music on the CD-ROM and pull up
 on-screen graphics, video clips, lyrics, and more, all simultaneously

 Packard Bell Direct Internet Access and three major online service
 providers -- Prodigy, America Online (AOL) and CompuServe.

 An impressive software package of more than 40 popular titles,
 including an advanced version of Packard Bell Navigator, Packard
 Bell's pioneering software interface

 Fast Media remote control, an industry first technology and Packard
 Bell exclusive, which allows consumers to initiate phone calls,
 listen to telephone messages, play a music CD or launch a software
 application from across the room

 SRS 3-D Amphitheater Sound, a patented circuitry which delivers
 panoramic sound quality to software, games and audio CDs from
 Packard Bell's monitor mounted speakers

 Full-Duplex Speakerphone for hands-free conferencing
 Telephone answering system

 28.8 Kbps fax/modem provides high speed Internet access and a
 wealth of faxing capabilities, including fax forwarding and fax
 on demand

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Packard Bell's new lineup of multimedia PCs are available in more than
15,000 retail outlets worldwide, including most major mass retail outlets.
The pricing is established by individual retailers and varies according to
exact configuration.

SERVICE AND SUPPORT

Packard Bell offers a one-year limited warranty with all of its PCs,
including on-site service and free hardware technical support. All Packard
Bell technical support services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.

Based in Sacramento, Calif., Packard Bell designs, manufactures and markets
a broad range of PC-compatible desktop computers. Packard Bell is the
leading supplier of PCs in the U.S. mass retail channel, according to
Audits and Surveys, a research firm that tracks the retail market.
&nbsp;Packard Bell is the fourth largest computer company worldwide in
terms of shipments, according to International Data Corp., Framingham,
Mass. The company maintains a home page on the World Wide Web at
http://www.packardbell.com, featuring product information, news releases,
technical support contacts and links to interesting websites.

For product service and support, contact: support@packardbell.com
Members of the press can contact: The Bohle Company PR@Bohle.com
 
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