News release

Compaq Enhances Mobile SMB Offerings with Custom Configuration Capabilities; New Evo Notebooks

Continuing its commitment to provide small and medium sized businesses with the widest range of mobile products and the flexibility to configure these products to meet their individual business needs, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today announced configure-to-order capabilities for its new Evo Notebook N180 and Evo Notebook N160 platforms.

Customers accessing the Compaq Small and Medium Business online store, http://www.smb.compaq.com, can configure panel size/resolution, optical drive (DVD/CD-RW, CD-RW, etc.), hard drive size, system memory and operating system (including Microsoft Windows XP Pro) for the new Evo Notebook N180 and N160 models.

"We realize that growing businesses need a level of customization to meet their mobile technology needs," said Ramona Thibeault, vice president of Compaq's North America Access Business Group. "The configure-to-order capabilities of our new Evo Notebook N180 and N160 models allow emerging businesses to configure a notebook PC to fit the unique needs of each company."

In addition, both models are eligible to be purchased under Compaq's innovative "4 for Free" program which provides a four-month payment deferral program for Compaq desktops, portables, servers, and storage units.

Compaq Evo Notebook N180

Built with expandability and flexibility in mind, the new Compaq Evo Notebook N180 is a true desktop replacement suited for growing business and advanced users alike. High-performance technologies such as 15" TFT SXGA+ displays, Mobile Intel Pentium III-M processors with speeds up to 1.2GHz, and an ATI Mobility Radeon M6 graphics controller with up to 32MB DDR RAM provide users all the power you would expect to find in a desktop-class product.

The all-in-one design incorporates a hot-swappable modular bay that supports dual optical or dual battery solutions for maximum productivity. With a fixed DVD drive and a choice of a second modular CD-RW, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM or battery, the Evo N180 offers a new level of customization. Using a dual optical configuration, customers can directly transfer files from one drive to another. When an additional battery is added in the modular bay, customers can expect more than five hours of battery life.

The Evo Notebook N180 also incorporates features such as a Type III Mini PCI 56K (V.92) modem plus integrated 10/100 NIC, S-Video (TV-out), digital video port IEEE 1394 and optional port replicator with NIC pass through to deliver desktop-like performance and functionality.

Pricing for the Evo Notebook N180 starts at $1,599. Additional information on the Evo Notebook N180 is available at http://www.compaq.com/products/notebooks/n180/n180-subfamily.html

Compaq Evo Notebook N160

The Compaq Evo Notebook N160 combines a thin, lightweight design with maximum computing power to deliver a combination that is ideal for business customers seeking an economical yet highly mobile notebook computer.

Starting at just $1,219 and weighing about six pounds, the Evo Notebook N160 makes mobility more affordable than ever. It can be custom configured with your choice of a Mobile Intel Pentium III-M or Celeron processor, up to 14.1" TFT XGA display, Mini-PCI V.92 modem, integrated 10/100 NIC, DVD-ROM optical drive and up to 30 GB hard drive.

The Compaq Evo Notebook N160 also offers ATI Mobility Radeon graphics, S-Video out, IEEE 1394 digital video input and optional port replicator.

Additional information on the Evo Notebook N160 can be found at http://www.compaq.com/products/notebooks/n160/.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.