IBM Aptiva Delivers Affordable DVD Technology to Home PC Users
NEW YORK (April 15, 1998) – IBM today announced the Aptiva E86, the first member of the award-winning Aptiva E Series family to feature DVD technology. Equipped with a powerful Intel Pentium II 300 MHz (1) processor, the Aptiva E86 offers multimedia-intensive users the ultimate combination of performance, expandability and affordability.
“We are pleased to offer consumers a powerful personal computer with DVD movie playback,” said Brian Connors, vice president, IBM Aptiva brand. “This reinforces IBM’s commitment to deliver enduring value at the most affordable price to home PC consumers.”
The Aptiva E86 features a fast 300MHz1 Intel Pentium II processor, 64MB (2) of RAM (expandable to 364MB), an 8.0 GB (2) hard drive, 512KB L2 cache, a DVD-ROM drive and a K56 Flex modem (3), Lotus SmartSuite software and 4 available slots and 2 available drive bays for expansion. Outstanding multimedia features including: ATI Rage Pro hardware accelerated 3D graphics with Direct3D and 2X AGP Graphics, 4MB (2) of SGRAM and SRS 3D Surround Sound are also included on the system. Priced at $1,7995, the E86 is available direct from IBM at 1-800-426-7235, ext. 4340, as well as through select Canadian retailers.
“The market for DVD is beginning to grow and the forward compatibility this next generation technology offers is an important feature for many consumers,” said Wolfgang Schlichting, research manager, Removable Storage at International Data Corp. “As a leader in DVD-enabled solutions, IBM is helping its customers get ready for this new technological evolution.”
ABOUT IBM Owner Privileges Membership
Aptiva customers will also enjoy special privileges that help them unlock the full potential of their home PC when they join the IBM Owner Privileges program. The first year of membership in Owner Privileges is included with a new Aptiva purchase (4) and consists of:
Service Privileges: preferred call handling (5) to IBM’s Help Center and e-mail messages to provide users with tips on how to efficiently use their Aptiva.
Protection Privileges: e-mail messages to alert users about free downloads for the latest system BIOS, drivers and other enhancements that are located on IBM Update Connector (6). In addition, information is provided on products that have been tested for compatibility with the Aptiva (7).
Discount Privileges: information on free downloadable software samples8 and quarterly mailings with special discounts and offers.
Advisory Privileges: a “cyber library” of articles covering education, training, exploring the Internet and more.
For more information about IBM Aptiva PCs, visit the IBM home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.us.pc.ibm.com/aptiva or call 1-800-426-7235 ext. 4340. Additional information about IBM’s Owner Privileges program can be obtained through the Web site located at http://www.us.pc.ibm.com/privileges or by calling 1-888-PRIVILEGES.
IBM Consumer Division, a leading manufacturer and developer of hardware and software solutions for the home, was established as a business unit within IBM in 1995. The Consumer Division’s products have been widely recognized for technology innovation and product design. These products include the Aptiva family of personal computers, Consumer Options and Solutions, the IBM Brings You Crayola® family of software, the Edmark® brand of educational software and IBM reference software products including the World Book( Multimedia Encyclopedia.
Source: IBM