AST RESEARCH STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO MOBILE COMPUTING WITH NEW POWEREXEC
EL NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS 

PCMCIA Slot and Upgradeable Display Equip $1,745 Notebook to Surpass Compaq
Contura

IRVINE, Calif., December 21, 1992 -- Optimizing the overwhelming success of
its high-quality, feature-rich PowerExec product family, AST Research
Inc., the pioneer in upgradeable personal computers, today announced the
PowerExec EL notebook computer value priced at a suggested list price of
$1,745.

Based on the award-winning design of the PowerExec 3/25SL, the PowerExec EL
notebook computer sports the popular features of the AST PowerExec family
unveiled on September 21. It combines exceptional 25-MHz 386SL
performance, hard drive upgradeability and intelligent power management to
provide the ultimate usability in a portable lightweight design.

"Key features found in the PowerExec product family are not sacrificed in
the new PowerExec EL, even with its highly competitive pricing," said Dan
Sheppard, director of protable systems. "The same high-quality features,
such as our bright 9.5-inch LCD screen, Intelligent Power Management
technology and removable upgradeable hard drive, are integrated into this
full-function notebook.

"The PowerExec EL meets the competition head-on, with sollid-performance
that surpasses the Compaq Contura, Dell NL25 and IBM ThinkPad 300. Many of
our competitors have announced products with significantly fewer features
and less functionality."

Powered by the Intel 25-MHz 386SL microprocessor, the new PowerExec EL was
designed to make notebook computing hassle-free for office-to-home end
users and business travelers who require a cost-effective fully-functional
notebook that provides unsurpassed ease of use and increased productivity.
These end users' computing needs include business applications such as
word processing, communications and personal productivity.

The PowerExec EL is available in two models. Both models come standard with
a 3.5-inch diskette drive and DOS 5.0. The Model 63, with a 60-MB hard
drive and 2MB of RAM (expandable to 20MB) has a $1,745 list price. The
Model 123/W, featuring a 120-MB hard drive, 4MB of RAM, Windows 3.1 and
AST's SmartPoint cableless trackball retails for $2,295. Street pricing
will vary.

Weighing just 5.9 pounds -- one of the lightest notebooks in its class --
the PowerExec EL comes standard with a NiCad battery that provides 3 to 4
hours of battery life on a single charge. The PowerExec EL is user
upgradeable to a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery for a retail price of
$199.

The PowerExec EL uses heuristic algorithms to monitor the user's work
habits to learn when to power-off-idle peripherals, conserving battery
life. Whenever there is keyboard inactivity, hard disk drive and display
"time outs" are activated. The system goes back to full-power mode once
work resumes. The PowerExec EL is the only notebook computer capable of
automatically adjusting its performance based upon what it has learned
allowing the user to achieve a longer battery life than comparable
386-based notebooks.

Renowned for designing computing solutions that answer end users'
ever-changing needs, AST designed the PowerExec EL with a 9.5-inch
monochrome LCD display easily upgradeable to either a 9.5-inch F-STN
passive matrix color or 9.5-inch TFT Active Matrix color.

The PowerExec EL's removable hard drive allows the end user to easily
upgrade the system to a larger hard drive when necessary. The benefit of
added security by removing and storing the hard drive, as well as the
flexibility of unlimited storage capacity by using multiple hard drives to
store software programs and data are provided to enhance the PowerExec
EL's usability.

Equipped with a one-touch AST SmartPoint cableless trackball, the PowerExec
EL Model 123/VV. comes conveniently preinstalled with Microsoft Windows
3.1 and MSDOS 5.0. for end users who want a "plug and play" solution for
instant productivity.

"AST introduced its first notebook computer, the award-winning Premium
Exec, two years ago and according to StoreBoard, has already achieved the
third largest market share in 386 notebooks," said David Roberts,
president, Retail Data, an authorized AST reseller. "AST's hallmark has
been designing high quality, reliable, affordably-priced computers and,
with the introduction of the PowerExec notebooks, they are continuing that
tradition."

"To come out of nowhere with an award-winning notebook and leverage what we
do best -- provide technologically strong computing solutions at a price
point for mainstream computer users --illustrates our commitment to
product excellence ," said Sheppard. "The market acceptance of AST
notebooks in such a short time illustrates the end user's confidence in
AST's reputation for quality. And the PowerExec EL exemplifies the strong
commitment AST has made to mobile computing."

The PowerExec EL is made in the United States at AST's manufacturing
headquarters in Fountain Valley, California.

Standard Features for the PowerExec EL

The PowerExec EL incorporates all the standard features that demonstrate
AST's commitment to quality, reliability and compatibility. All PowerExec
EL notebooks come standard with a parallel port, a serial port, a VGA
monitor port, a PS/2 mouse port and a port for an optional 17-key keypad
or 101-key enhanced keyboard adapter. It features AST's award-winning
full-function 82-key keyboard with 3mm key travel, 12 dedicated function
keys and eight dedicated cursor control keys.

The PowerExec EL features a Type II PCMCIA expansion slot. PCMCIA is the
new industry standard for portable computer expansion and connectivity
solutions which opens up the architecture of the notebook computer and
offers innovative options not offered with proprietary expansion slots.
Similar to desktop ISA boards, PCMCIA credit card-sized cards offer a
variety of options to allow end users to customize their PowerExec EL. AST
offers PCMCIA compatible networking options including Token Ring and
Ethernet, as well as a SCSI adapter and three modem options. These cards
can be swapped in and out while the system is on.

Demand for AST products remain at an all time high. The PowerExec EL will
be distributed through traditional channels, including VARs, dealers and
distributors.

AST is also offering an optional EasyPort, quick-connect port replicator
for the PowerExec EL, a device that allows users to make an easy
transition from notebook to desktop. The EasyPort can be connected to
peripherals, networks and other communications devices. These connections
can be left in place when the user takes the unit on the road. With an
affordable suggested list price of $99, the EasyPort replicates the ports
of the PowerExec enabling quick-connect functionality without the need to
hookup individual power and port cables.

The PowerStation docking unit offers a complete desktop connectivity
solution for mobile professionals who require the ease-of-use of one
computer. Affordably priced at $449, the PowerStation combines the
flexibility of notebook computing with the familiarity of traditional
desktop computing.

The PowerStation features two ISA I 6-bit slots and provides access to one
half-height 5.25-inch drive bay and one slimline 5.25-inch drive bay for
extra storage, as well as a drive bay with a tape backup device. The
PowerStation features a monitor stand that can accommodate high-resolution
monitors weighing up to 70 pounds.

The PowerExec is designed to support the Kensington Microware cable lock
for added physical security.

Service and Support

The AST PowerExec EL notebook comes with a one-year warranty and for a
small fee the end user can purchase AST's optional ExeCare which provides
48-hour repair upon receipt at AST . AST will pay the freight both ways.

All AST notebook computer systems include a one-year parts and labor
warranty. AST has 11,000 trained service technicians in more that 1,200
Authorized Service Centers nationwide. Toll-free customer service is 90
seconds away (average telephone call response time) Monday thru Friday
from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. (PDT) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

AST On-Line!, the largest worldwide PC manufacturing electronic bulletin
board service in the industry, provides a 24-hour electronic reference
library. AST Info-Fax provides up-to-date technical information sent
directly to fax machines through an automated 24-hour service.

AST's product lines include the Power Premium, Bravo, Advantage!, Manhattan
and PowerExec families which allow users to choose from a full range of
price and performance options. The company is represented in 100 countries
and operates 34 subsidiaries and sales offices worldwide.

Corporate Background

Recently ranked number 431 on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest
industrial companies and 451 on the Forbes Profit List. AST Research Inc.
is an information technology company holding a prominent market share
position for desktop, file server and notebook computers.

The company reported record sales of $286.4 million for the first quarter
of fiscal year 1993, ended Oct. 3, 1992, representing a 70 percent
increase in shipments over the comparable prior year quarter. Fiscal year
1992 revenues were $944 1 million, compared to sales of $688.5 million for
fiscal year 1991.

AST Research corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O.
Box 19658, Irvine, Calif. 92713-9658. Telephone: (714) 727-4141, (800)
876-4278. Fax: (714) 727-9355.

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