AST RESEARCH INC. SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT TO ACQUIRE TANDY CORP.'S PERSONAL
COMPUTER MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

IRVINE, Calif., May 26, 1993 -- AST Research Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS: ASTA) today
announced that it has executed a letter of intent with Tandy Corporation
concerning AST's purchase of certain assets and assumption of certain
liabilities relating to Tandy's personal computer manufacturing
operations. The assets to be purchased will include GRiD, TandyGRiD Europe
and computer manufacturing plants in Texas and Scotland. The specific
assets to be purchased (which will exclude accounts receivable) and
liabilities to be assumed will be detailed in a definitive purchase
agreement to be entered into by the parties. The purchase price is
estimated not to exceed $175 million. The consideration will be paid in
the form of either cash and three-year promissory notes, or all cash, at
the election of AST. It is currently anticipated that, after review of the
assets to be purchased and liabilities to be assumed, a significant
portion of the purchase price will be paid in the form of three-year
promissory notes.

"We are pleased to announce the proposed acquisition of Tandy's personal
computer operations," said Safi Qureshey, AST president and chief
executive officer. "Tandy's strength in multimedia and pen-based
technology strongly complements AST's existing product line-up. Also, the
additional manufacturing capacity and purchasing leverage this transaction
brings is important as AST continues to execute its market share capture
strategy. "

According to the IDC, for calendar 1992 Tandy/GRiD Systems ranked seventh
in U.S. personal computer vendors market share with 3.4% while AST ranked
eighth with a U.S. market share of 2.8% .

Consummation of the transaction would be subject to, among other
conditions, the entering into and approval by each company's Board of
Directors of a definitive purchase agreement, and regulatory approvals.
Subject to the above, the transaction is expected to close in July.

Company Background

Ranked number 367 on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial
companies, AST Research Inc. is a prominent market share holder in
desktop, file server and notebook computers. The company is represented in
100 countries and operates 35 international subsidiaries and sales
offices. AST's corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway,
P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone: (714) 727-4141,
(800) 876-4278. Fax: (714) 727-9355

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