IBM'S New Portfolio-Style ThinkPads Break Design, Power & Price Barriers

SOMERS, NY, May 21, 1996 . . . Responding to sore-armed, luggage- strapped
business travelers everywhere, IBM* today introduced an innovative new
ThinkPad* notebook so slim and light that it fits into nearly any
briefcase. The new ThinkPad 560 packs a 12.1" TFT SVGA screen, full-sized
keyboard and powerful Pentium processor in an ultra-thin 1.2", 4.1 pound
package.(1) Before today's announcement, the lightest notebook sporting a
12.1" TFT panel weighed nearly 7 lbs.

Ultra-Slim Notebook with Amazing Power

Starting at just $2,699,(2) the elegantly designed 560 series with huge
12.1" active-matrix SVGA screens (equivalent to a 14" monitor with a
viewable image size of 12.1") or 11.3" dual-scan SVGA screens; are powered
by a choice of Intel's** 133-MHz, 120-MHz, or 100-MHz Pentium**
processors;(3) feature PCI bus for dazzling video and blazing graphics and
weigh just 4.1 lbs. The new ThinkPads also include 810 megabyte (MB) or
1.08 gigabyte (GB) hard drives(4), 8 MB of RAM (expandable to 40 MB) and
extra long-lasting lithium-ion batteries.

"The ThinkPad 560 will change the way people think of ThinkPads, and
notebooks in general," said Steve Ward, general manager for IBM PC
Company's Mobile Computing group. "The new design is extremely innovative,
but the performance and price are equally impressive. For the first time,
notebook users don't have to compromise in any of these areas." IBM
Continues to Innovate in the Ultraportable Market

"Once again, IBM has raised the bar in notebook design," said Bill Ablondi,
analyst with Giga Information Group, a market research firm based in
Cambridge, Mass. "Our research shows that there is a substantial pent-up
demand for slimline notebooks among experienced portable users. IBM has
the pricing right too -- it is well-positioned to capture a sizable
portion of the replacement market as well as entice business travelers to
this form factor."

"For those mobile computing customers who require performance in a thinner
and lighter form factor, IBM's ThinkPad 560 delivers an outstanding
combination of price and performance," said Steve Nachtsheim, vice
president and general manager of Intel Corporation, mobile and hand-held
products group. "Intel applauds IBM's engineering capabilities in
continuing to pioneer mobile computing innovation."

For convenient notebook computing on the road, the ThinkPad 560 series
features an integrated infrared link for wireless file transfer, printing
and communications with other infrared enabled desktop PCs or other
notebooks and electronic organizers; 16-bit audio with support for
SoundBlaster* Pro applications; full-sized keyboard with integrated palm
rest; optional port replicator for easy access to desktop peripherals and
IBM's own integrated TrackPoint* III pointing device.

To maximize the ThinkPad 560's flexibility, IBM and Port, Inc., a leading
manufacturer of portable computing accessories, have developed a number of
custom-designed carrying cases. Designs range from leather portfolios that
may be carried into meetings or slipped inside briefcases to larger
air-cushioned cases.

Convenient Service and Support

IBM's new ThinkPads include one of the most convenient and advanced mobile
service and support programs anywhere. IBM Online Housecall* (requires an
optional modem) gives IBM HelpCenter* technicians the ability to remotely
diagnose technical difficulties. Customers can count on IBM's 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week HelpWare* support,(5) which comes standard during a
one-year limited warranty,(6) as does convenient EasyServ* courier repair
service (available only in North America). Overnight and on-site service
are available as optional service offerings. Configurations, Pricing and
Availability

The new ThinkPad 560 notebooks come standard with a detachable 1.44MB
floppy diskette drive and are preloaded with an exceptional selection of
software including Netscape Navigator ** and Windows*** '95. Or, IS
departments can choose a ready-to-configure option with blank hard disk.
All ThinkPad 560 models will support OS/2* Warp, Version 3, and OS/2 Warp
Connect with WIN-OS/2.

The ThinkPad 560 120-MHz and 100-MHz Pentium models will be available
beginning May 28, the 133-MHz Pentium model will be available in July,
both through authorized IBM resellers.

EDITORS NOTE: IBM news releases are available on the Internet, via the IBM
Home Page at http://www.ibm.com. The IBM Fax Information Service
(800-IBM-4FAX) allows editors to receive facsimiles of IBM news releases
and spec sheets of IBM products. To receive a detailed spec sheet on the
ThinkPad 560 series, enter document "3934" at the voice menu.

(1)  Actual weight may vary.
(2)  Estimated IBM authorized reseller prices.  These products
     are available from IBM resellers and actual resale prices
     may vary.
(3)  Internal processor speed.  Application speed will be less.
(4)  MB = million bytes, GB = billion bytes.
(5)  Response times may vary.
(6)  Copies of IBM's statement of limited warranty area
     available by calling 800-772-2227.
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SELECTED SPECS:

Processor:    Pentium at 133-MHz, 120-MHz or 100-MHz

Bus:   PCI

Hard drives:   810MB or 1.08GB

Size:     Slim 8.7"x 11.7"x 1.2", 4.1 lbs.

Audio:    16-bit with support for SoundBlaster* Pro applications

Screen:   12.1" TFT SVGA, 11.3" DSTN SVGA

Communication:   Infrared file transfer and printing

Battery:    Lithium-ion

Docking support: Optional port replicator available

Standard ports:   Serial/ parallel/SVGA/KB-MSE/FDD/Audio

Floppy drive:  Detachable 1.44 MB diskette drive is standard
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Please Note: Questions about the content or currency of this press release
should be directed to your local IBM representative.
 
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