Intel, Microsoft and Toshiba Propose Advanced Configuration And Power
Interface for Easy, Flexible Power Management

INTERFACE FOR EASY, FLEXIBLE POWER MANAGEMENT

Draft Specification Now Available; Industry to Collaborate on Final
Definition

SAN JOSE, CALIF. - APRIL 1, 1996 - Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Toshiba
America Information Systems Inc. today announced the first draft of an
open industry specification to enable easy implementation of power
management on notebook, desktop and server PCs, thereby providing an
architecture for device control of system power state. The Advanced
Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) will allow system manufacturers
to deliver operating system-directed power management such as the OnNow
industry initiative for instantly available PCs, also announced today.

The ACPI specification is a cross-platform interface, designed to support
the MicrosoftR WindowsR 95, Windows NTR, and other operating systems.
Intel, Microsoft and Toshiba are actively soliciting broad industry
participation in shaping the final ACPI specification, which is scheduled
for release in August. ACPI-based PCs are expected to be available in the
second half of 1997.

ACPI defines a flexible and abstract hardware interface that allows
designers a standard way to integrate power-management features throughout
a PC system, including hardware, operating system and application
software. This enables the PC to automatically turn on and off peripherals
such as CD-ROMs, network cards, hard disk drives and printers, as well as
consumer devices connected to the PC such as VCRs, TVs, phones and
stereos. With the ACPI technology, peripherals will also be able to
activate the PC. For example, inserting a tape into a VCR could turn on
the PC, which then would activate a large-screen TV and stereo system.

ACPI specifies a register-level interface to core power-management
functions and a descriptive interface for additional hardware features.
This gives system designers the ability to implement a range of
power-management features with different hardware designs while using the
same operating system driver.

"ACPI is the advanced interface that we need to build robust, effective
power management into both the Windows 95 and Windows NT operating
systems," said Jim Allchin, senior vice president of the desktop and
business systems division at Microsoft. "It is the foundation for our
OnNow initiative, also announced today, and will allow the industry to
broadly deliver instantly available PCs."

"Today's ACPI specification signals a major advancement in power management
for the PC platform," said Stephen Nachtsheim, vice president at Intel.
"It enables the operating system to direct power management on a wide
range of mobile, desktop and server PCs. Intel intends that our future
processors, chipsets and OEM system products will support this new
specification."

"ACPI takes power management to a new level," said Tom Scott, vice
president and general manager for the computer systems division of
Toshiba. "We'll use it to further improve the effectiveness of power
management in our products and to better integrate with the operating
system. ACPI represents a great hardware-software partitioning of
power-management technology, yet offers us the ability to innovate and
differentiate in our hardware products."

Additional information on ACPI, including the draft specification, will be
available on the ACPI World Wide Web site at
http://www.teleport.com/~acpi/. Comments on the ACPI specification can be
sent to acpi@teleport.com.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of
personal computer, networking and communications products.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with approximate annual sales of $2
billion, Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. is composed of seven
divisions that manufacture and market a wide range of business and
information-oriented products in the United States. Products include
portable computers, hard disk drives and CD-ROMs, plain-paper copiers,
facsimile systems, electronic key telephones and PBX systems.

TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a
subsidiary of the $53.8 billion Toshiba Corp., the sixth largest computer
and electronics manufacturer, and the world's 18th largest corporation in
terms of sales. Toshiba Corp. is a world leader in high-technology
products with 173 major consolidated subsidiaries worldwide. For dealer
referral and product literature call (800) 999-4273.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
 
 =========================================================
 From the 'New Product News' Electronic News Service on...
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) and Delphi (GO COMP PROD)
 =========================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the
 company/author mentioned. For additional details, please
 contact them directly at the address/phone# indicated.
 Trademarks are the property of their respective owners!
 =========================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  USA
 Email:   rbakerpc@aol.com   --or--   rbakerpc@delphi.com
 =========================================================
