HP Expands New OmniBook 5500 Notebook PC Line

New Models Offer Wide Range of Processors, Displays and Hard-disk Drives to
Meet Broad Demands of Notebook PC Users

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA. MAY 20, 1996

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced it will add six new models to the
HP OmniBook 5500 notebook PC series. These new models are slated for early
June shipment.

With the new additions to the HP OmniBook 5500 notebook PC series, HP
continues its "VL" line of products, which deliver Pentium/PCI performance
at mainstream prices, and adds to its advanced-feature premium line.
Included in the HP OmniBook 5500 notebook PC series is the recently
announced HP OmniBook 5500 CT 5/133 model 1350, which is currently
shipping.

The new HP OmniBook 5500 notebook PC models add 100MHz or 120MHz Pentium
processors to the series. Also new are two additional SVGA displays, an
11.3-inch or a 10.4-inch viewable-image active-matrix display. For
information storage, the HP OmniBook 5500 notebook PC will be available in
810MB, 1.35GB and 2GB hard-disk-drive configurations.

Prices for the new HP OmniBook 5500 notebook PC models range from $3,700(1)
for the HP OmniBook 5500 CS 5/100 model 810 to $6,600 for the HP OmniBook
CT 5500 5/133 model 2000.

The HP OmniBook 5500 CT 5/133 model 1350 notebook PC, announced March 4, is
$6,120.

"The 133MHz version of the HP OmniBook 5500 is already a fast-selling
product -- our initial orders are high," said Wayne Westly, product
manager at HP's Mobile Computing Division. "With this range of displays
and processors and with hard drives as big as 2GB, we expect the new
models to be just as popular with our customers."

U.S. Prices for Models in HP OmniBook 5500 Notebook PC Series

All prices are U.S. estimated selling prices (U.S. list prices are in
parentheses); prices may vary in other countries.

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PREMIUM

HP OmniBook 5500 CT   Intel 133MHz                       $6,600
                      Pentium processor,                (7,105)
                      2GB hard disk, 16MB RAM,
                      12.1-inch SVGA TFT(2) display

HP OmniBook 5500 CT   Intel 133MHz                        6,120
                      Pentium processor,                (6,580)
                      1.35GB hard disk, 16MB RAM,
                      12.1-inch SVGA TFT display

HP OmniBook 5500 CT   Intel 120MHz                        5,910
                      Pentium processor,                (6,355)
                      1.35GB hard disk, 16MB RAM,
                      12.1-inch SVGA TFT display

HP OmniBook 5500 CT   Intel 120MHz                        5,390
                      Pentium processor,                (5,795)
                      1.35GB hard disk, 16MB RAM
                      10.4-inch SVGA TFT display

HP OmniBook 5500 CS   Intel 120MHz                        4,900
                      Pentium processor,                (5,270)
                      1.35GB hard disk, 16MB RAM,
                      11.3-inch SVGA DSTN(3) display
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VL

HP OmniBook 5500 CS   Intel 100MHz                        4,545
                      Pentium processor,                (4,885)
                      1.35GB hard disk, 16MB RAM,
                      11.3-inch SVGA DSTN display

HP OmniBook 5500 CS   Intel 100MHz                        3,700
                      Pentium processor,                (3,980)
                      810MB hard disk, 8MB RAM,
                      11.3-inch SVGA DSTN display
---------------------------------------------------------------------

More on the HP OmniBook 5500 Series Notebook PC

The HP OmniBook 5500 notebook PC series is based on the same Pentium/PCI
architecture that has resulted in the current HP OmniBook 5000 CTS 5/120
model 1200 notebook PC posting some of the highest benchmarks for notebook
PCs today.(4)  HP's design of the peripheral component interconnect (PCI)
architecture includes a full implementation of PCI in all subsystems to
deliver maximum throughput.

The HP OmniBook 5500 notebook PC series also integrates key multimedia
features such as an optional removable quad-speed CD-ROM drive and S-video
output for NTSC/PAL.  HP's removable CD-ROM can be "hot-swapped" -- an
optional second battery or a floppy disk drive can be inserted while
Windows 95 is in operation on the notebook PC.

The new 4Mbps infrared port on the HP OmniBook 5500 PC series gives mobile
professionals fast, easy and reliable access to critical network
information resources and printing -- without the use of cumbersome cables
or adapters.  The new infrared port complies with both IrDA-1 and
IrDA-2(5) standards for IR communication.  The original IrDA-1 standards
support a transfer rate of up to 115 Kilobits per second (Kbps), while the
new IrDA-2 supports much faster rates of 1.152 Mbps and 4 Mbps.

The HP OmniBook 5500 PC series works with HP's standard docking system to
provide convenient, one-step connections to the user's network;
high-resolution monitor; keyboard; printer; external speakers; and audio
devices.  The HP docking system also supports "hot-docking" and Windows 95
Plug and Play, which allows users to dock and undock the notebook while
the operating system is running.

Key Features of the HP OmniBook 5500 Notebook PC

HP's OmniBook 5500 notebook PCs incorporate an array of advanced features,
such as the following:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Intel mobile Pentium processors in speeds of
 100MHz, 120MHz, 133MHz;

 10.4-inch TFT, 11.3-inch DSTN or 12.1-inch TFT displays
 with SVGA (800 x 600) resolution;

 up to 2GB of hard-disk-drive capacity;

 8MB or 16MB RAM expandable to 64MB;

 16-bit SoundBlaster-compatible stereo sound;

 lithium-ion battery for lighter weight and longer life;

 TrackPoint III Pointing Device designed into the keyboard
 for ease of use;

 HP's special instant-on feature, which gives users immediate
 access to applications without rebooting the system and
 low power usage while the system is in suspend mode;

 dual-loaded with Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows for
 Workgroups 3.11.

 implements IrDA infrared wireless data-transfer capabilities
 of Windows 95 Plug-and-Play;

 the ability to change an optional second battery or insert
 a CD-ROM drive, or floppy drive while Windows 95 is in
 operation on the notebook PC.  Swapping the second battery
 may more than double battery life;

 removable internal floppy drive included with parallel
 connector for external use;

 two options for NTSC/PAL video-out, composite and S-video.
 Both allow use of a TV set as an external monitor or
 connection to a videocassette recorder;

 MIDI port for access to digital music equipment and software,
 and joystick port for entertainment software; and

 two Type II PCMCIA slots (or one Type III slot);
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Service and Support

HP offers a limited three-year warranty for the HP OmniBook 5500 series. 
The limited warranty for the HP OmniBook 5500 VL series is one year, with
a three-year upgrade available.  HP has been rated by PC Magazine readers
(January 1995) as a leading vendor in notebook support and services.  In
November 1995, J.D. Power & Associates announced that HP was the
highest-ranking notebook computer vendor in customer satisfaction based
upon its latest Notebook PC Customer Satisfaction Study.(6)

U.S. HP OmniBook notebook PC customers receive unlimited free support with
a toll call through HP's comprehensive support program.  Customers call
one telephone number, (970) 346-8682, to receive hardware and software
assistance.  Customers also may call an automated toll-free number with
fax-back capability, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for
application notes and answers to most commonly asked questions; the number
is (800) 443-1254.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing,
communications and measurement products and services recognized for
excellence in quality and support.  HP has 108,300 employees and had
revenue of $31.5 billion in its 1995 fiscal year.

(1) All prices are estimated U.S. selling prices; prices may vary in other
countries.

(2) TFT stands for thin-film transistor (active matrix).

(3) DSTN stands for dual-scan supertwisted nematic (passive matrix).

(4) PC Magazine, December 19, 1995:  "The HP OmniBook 5000 CTS consistently
outperformed other Pentium/120-based systems, posting a particularly
impressive Winstone 96 score of 50."

(5) IrDA is the Infrared Data Association.  IrDA-2 is the latest IrDA
standard for 4Mbps transfer rates.

(6) Disclaimer:  1995 J.D. Power and Associates Notebook Computer End-User
Satisfaction Study was conducted among business users and was based on
1,239 respondents.

Information in this release applies specifically to products available in
the United States.  Product availability and specifications may vary in
non-U.S. markets.
 
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