Special Offer on Microsoft Mouse/Windows 3.0 Combination Helps Users Move into the New Graphical Environment Redmond, Wash. -- May 22, 1990 -- Microsoft today announced that it will be offering a combined package of Windows 3.0 and a 400 Series Microsoft Mouse for a suggested retail price of $225. Since the suggested retail price for Windows 3.0 alone is $149, this offer reduces the price of the Microsoft Mouse to just $76. The 400 Series Mouse is the latest version of the Microsoft Mouse, offering major technological enhancements over previous versions. The combined package includes complete versions of both the Mouse and Windows. "We think this is a great way for users to move into the new graphical environment," said Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman. "Windows 3.0 is the most powerful computing platform available for DOS-based PCs, and the Microsoft Mouse is the best-selling mouse on the market. At just $225 for the combined package, this is an outstanding value." Previously, Mouse/Windows combination offers were available only for Windows/286. This is the first time that a Mouse/Windows package has been available for 80386-based systems. Although the Windows environment does not require the use of a mouse, a mouse makes command execution much quicker and easier -- and its point-and-click operation makes the graphical user interface much more intuitive. Approximately 85 percent of Windows users have a mouse, and 60 percent of those have a Microsoft Mouse. Special Features of the 400 Series Microsoft Mouse -------------------------------------------------- The 400 Series Microsoft Mouse, while retaining the sleek, award- winning design introduced in 1987, offers major technological advances over previous versions of the Mouse. First, the resolution of 400 points per inch is twice that of previous versions of the Microsoft Mouse and is the highest resolution available on any major mouse. High resolution benefits users in two ways: It gives them more accuracy and control, and it requires less desk space to move the cursor around the screen. Second, the driver software for the 400 Series Mouse offers new acceleration control features. These features are not available in the mouse driver that ships with the standalone Windows 3.0 product. The accelerator algorithm matches the degree of cursor movement to its speed; that is, it causes the cursor to go farther when the mouse is gaining speed and to cover less distance when mouse movement is slowing. A pop-up Control Panel lets users select the desired level of acceleration. Bus and Serial Versions Available --------------------------------- The Mouse/Windows combination offer is available for both bus and serial versions of the Microsoft Mouse. The serial version works on standard IBM-compatible PCs and PS/2 machines and comes with dual media (3-1/2" and 5-1/4" diskettes); the bus version works only on standard IBM-compatible PCs and comes on 5-1/4" diskettes. Free Personal Organizer Application ----------------------------------- The Mouse/Windows package also includes a free copy of DayBook, a personal organizer from Asymetrix Corporation. A ToolBook application, DayBook comes with integrated modules for daily, weekly and monthly calendars, address lists and to-do lists. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") develops, markets and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, languages and application programs, as well as books, CD-ROM products and hardware for the microcomputer marketplace. ### Microsoft and the Microsoft logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.