AST RESEARCH INTRODUCES FAMILY OF NEXT GENERATION BRAVO SYSTEMS FEATURING
ON-BOARD NETWORKING AND ENHANCED VIDEO PERFORMANCE

Five New Systems Priced From $995

IRVINE, Calif. Sept. 8, 1992 -- AST Research Inc. today introduced its
third generation of low-cost Bravo personal computer systems -- expanding
the family to five offerings, each enhanced with faster and
higher-resolution video performance, cache memory and integrated Ethernet
network-ready capabilities.

Priced from $995 for a 33-MHz 386SX, to $2,495 for an ultra-fast 66-MHz
486DX2, the new Bravo family consists of five new processor models and
represents AST's latest Bravo generation of feature-rich, high-performance
desktop PCs.

"In keeping with AST's tradition of providing value through innovative R&D
efforts, the new Bravo family is based on a low-cost design that will
enable our resellers to further drive the price/performance equation,"
said Dan Sheppard, AST director, Bravo systems. "We've planned the Bravo
line to significantly lower our manufacturing costs while giving users the
best quality and performance for today's most popular features, including
networking, enhanced video performance and processing power."

Key enhancements to the new Bravo line include superior-quality graphics,
up to 256K of cache memory and models configured with on-board Ethernet
controllers, a useful feature in network applications that eliminate the
need for an additional network card.

Unique Motherboard Significantly Lowers System Cost

Key to maintaining AST's price/performance edge for the Bravo line are
lower manufacturing costs, largely achieved by incorporating a smaller,
completely redesigned motherboard that is unique among PC manufacturers.
The half-size motherboard also utilizes fewer chips through the use of
highly-integrated ASICs, which simultaneously reduces costs, simplifies
manufacturing and increases system reliability.

"Each new Bravo system incorporates a revolutionary, four-layer motherboard
that packs more features in half the space required by our previous
six-layer designs," said Sheppard. "This design, combined with proprietary
manufacturing efficiencies, enables AST to offer Bravo systems at a low
cost."

Built-In Ethernet Enables Quick Network Installation

To enable quick installation as a node for Ethernet local area networks,
each Bravo system is available as a "Model 3n" configuration -- featuring
high performance, on-board Ethernet networking capabilities -- for an
additional $120 over the base system cost.

Offering an integrated networking solution at half the price of installing
traditional adapter cards, Model 3n Bravo systems utilize a
motherboard-resident Ethernet controller based on the NICE chip set from
Fujitsu Microelectronics Inc. The integrated Ethernet capabilities deliver
fast performance for use with twisted-pair cabling and includes drivers to
support the most popular networking platforms, including Novell's NetWare,
Microsoft's LAN Manager, Santa Cruz Operation's SCO UNIX, Sun
Microsystems' NFS, Digital Equipment Corp.'s DECnet and Banyan's Vines.
Remote boot capability is offered as an option, achieved by installing a
simple ROM chip.

"AST is the first manufacturer using our chip set to offer cost-efficient
Ethernet networking," said Alex Goldberger, director of strategic
marketing at Fujitsu Microelectronics. "In addition to freeing-up an
expansion slot, the on-board solution delivers premium throughput at
almost half the price of traditional add-in cards."

Faster Windows Performance Via Enhanced Video

Using Bravo's high-quality graphics and Super VGA video capabilities in a
Windows environment, entire word processing, spreadsheet and desktop
publishing documents can be viewed on-screen at one time. In addition, all
Windows and GUI functions are faster and easier to use.

An integrated Super VGA controller on the motherboard eliminates the need
to occupy an expansion slot. Maximum resolution supported is 1024 x 768
pixels at 256 colors. Photo-realistic color is achieved via a 640 x 480,
24-bit true-color VGA mode which supports more than 16.7 million colors.
Standard video memory is 512K (upgradable to 1-MB), with the bundled Bravo
systems (Models 123B and 213W) configured with 1MB. Each system utilizes a
quick-response video controller supporting the monitor's 72Hz refresh rate
to virtually eliminate flicker and improve image appearance and eye
comfort.

Abundant Choice From Five Processor Models

The new Bravo family allows users to choose from a variety of
microprocessors, ranging from entry-level 33-MHz 386SX PCs ideal for
network nodes or stand-alone use, to powerful 66-MHz 486DX2 systems
suitable for high-end workstation duties. The new models include the Bravo
3/33s, Bravo 4/25s, Bravo 4/33, Bravo 4/50d and Bravo 4/66d.

Standard Bravo configurations include up to 8MB of memory (supporting up to
64MB on the motherboard, except for the Bravo 3/33s which can accommodate
16MB maximum); up to 210-MB hard disk storage; 1MB of video memory, a
3.5-inch, 1.44-MB floppy disk drive and DOS 5.0.

Bravo PCs are available in a base model (Model 3) with 2MB memory and a
floppy disk drive or as a complete system (Model 123B) bundled with 4MB of
memory; a 120-MB hard disk; non-interlaced, high-resolution Super VGA
monitor; Microsoft DOS 5.0; Microsoft Windows 3.1; PS/2-compatible mouse;
and an AST mouse pad. The Bravo 4/25s and 4/33 can also be
cost-effectively upgraded by the user with a faster microprocessor to
double the system's speed.

To further enhance system performance, cache memory is offered on most
models, with 256-K second-level cache included on the Bravo 4/50d and
4/66d; and 8-K cache on the Bravo 4/25s and 4/33 models (with support for
an optional 256-K).

Quick Response Service and Support

To further strengthen AST's commitment to customer satisfaction, the
company has added free on-site service for all bundled Bravo systems
(Model 123B), provided at more than 300 locations nationwide, including
AST's Advanced service Support Centers and Intelogic Trace, a third-party
maintenance company. In most cases, repairs will be completed within
48-hours from AST notification.

Bravo users are eligible to access the wide variety of support programs
offered by AST. Toll-free service is 90-seconds away (average telephone
call pickup time) Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. (PST) and 7
a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. AST also offers two 24-hour services -- "AST
On-Line" bulletin board and "AST Info-FAX," which allows access via
facsimile machine to a broad selection of technical support
documentation.

Corporate Background

Since their introduction in 1988, the Bravo family has been one of the most
popular low-cost PC systems at small- and medium-sized businesses.
Interest in Bravo was bolstered in 1990 when AST adopted its cost-plus
pricing model that resulted in the world's first i486-based PC, the Bravo
486/25, being introduced for under $4,000 when comparable models from
other companies were offered in excess of $10,000.

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

AST's product lines include the Premium, Bravo, Advantage! and Premium Exec
families which allow users to choose from a full range of price and
performance options. The company is represented in 100 countries and
operates 39 subsidiaries and sales offices worldwide.

The company reported record sales of $944.1 million for the 1992 fiscal
year ended June 27, 1991, 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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