AST RESEARCH BRINGS COLOR TO LOW-END NOTEBOOKS AND REDUCES PRICES ON
POWEREXEC LINE

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 8, 1993 -- AST Research Inc., the pioneer in
upgradeable personal computers, today announced the immediate availability
of passive color matrix displays and new hard drive models for its
PowerExec EL family. The company has also reduced pricing on selected
models of its PowerExec line of notebook computers by up to 16 percent.

"As always, it is our goal at AST to maintain our competitive position in
the changing market by expanding our offerings. We believe the new
PowerExec EL Color will lead the competition in providing entry-level
portable computing users with exemplary functionality at attractive
prices," said Dan Sheppard, director of portable systems.

Powered by the Intel 25-MHz 386SL microprocessor, the PowerExec EL is now
available in four models, featuring a choice of monochrome or passive
color matrix displays and a variety of hard drive models. Suggested retail
pricing ranges from $1,499 for the entry-level monochrome model to $2,799
for a fully functional passive matrix display with removable 120-mb drive,
Windows and AST's Smartpoint cableless trackball.

Standard features of the PowerExec EL include a Type II PCMCIA slot,
allowing for the full range of options including modems and LAN adapters;
3.5-inch diskette drives and DOS 5.0.

Weighing just 5.9 pounds, one of the lightest notebooks in its class, the
PowerExec EL family comes standard with a NiCad battery that provides up
to three hours of battery life. The removable hard drive provides added
security for users as well as the flexibility of virtually unlimited
storage upgradeability.

The PowerExec line of notebooks, winner of PC LapTop Magazine's 1992
Newcomer of the Year award and Portable Computing's 1993 Product
Excellence award, was designed to make notebook computing hassle-free for
office-to-home end users and business travelers. AST has targeted users
who require a cost-effective, fully-functional notebook that provides
unsurpassed ease of use and increased productivity for a variety of
business applications, including word processing, communications and
personal productivity.

ExeCare Plus Provides 48-hour Repair Service

The AST PowerExec EL family of notebooks are covered by a free one-year
warranty. The optional ExeCare Plus program includes 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. On-site maintenance is available anywhere within a 50-mile
radius of more than 250 of the authorized AST on-site service locations.
Toll-free customer service is available Monday through Friday from 5 a.m.
to 7 p.m. (PDT) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

AST PowerExec Pricing -- As of February 8, 1993

PowerExec EL Family                   New Price      Reduced
-------------------                   ---------      -------
PowerExec EL Model 63/2                 $1,499        $246
PowerExec EL Model 83/2                  1,699         NEW
PowerExec EL Model 123/W/4               2,099         196
PowerExec EL Color Model 123/W/4         2,799         NEW

PowerExec 386SL Family
----------------------
PowerExec 386SL Model 63                $2,099        $296
PowerExec 386SL Model 83/W               2,399         NEW
PowerExec 386SL Model 123/W              2,599         196
PowerExec 386SL Color Model 83           2,999         196
PowerExec 386SL Color Model 163/W        3,499          96
PowerExec 386SL ColorPlus Model 83       3,399         296
PowerExec 386SL ColorPlus Model 203/W    3,899         296

PowerExec 486SL Family
----------------------
PowerExec 486 Model 83                  $2,499        $296
PowerExec 486 Model 203/W                2,999         296
PowerExec 486 Color Model 83             3,199         396
PowerExec 486 Color Model 203/W          3,699         396
PowerExec 486 ColorPlus Model 83         4,199         296
PowerExec 486 ColorPlus Model 203/W      4,699         296

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 a leading market share holder for desktop, file server and notebook
computers. Revenue for calendar year 1992 totalled more than $1.1
billion.

AST's product lines include the Power Premium, Bravo, Advantage!, PowerExec
families and the Manhattan--LAN Magazine's Product of the Year--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.

The company reported record sales of $346.3 million for the second quarter
of fiscal year 1993, ended Jan. 3, 1993, representing a 64 percent
increase in unit 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, 16215 Alton Parkway, PO Box 57005, Irvine, CA 92718
714-727-4141;  800-876-4278;  fax: 714-727-9355

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