News release

New Compaq Presario Options Make Digital Entertainment Faster, Sharper, More Realistic (Advisory)

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) brings faster speeds and increased realism to Presario Digital Entertainment PCs with a variety of new options to better create, share and enjoy digital entertainment.

The new, affordable GeForce 4 MX420 64 MB graphics card featuring Accuview Antialiasing delivers full-scene improved realism with fewer jagged edges and fast, smooth game play on the Compaq Presario 6000 and 8000 PCs, available direct from Compaq as an upgrade option. Characters themselves are smoother and more lifelike, clothing looks more realistic, and games will play much more smoothly due to higher frame rates and a maximum resolution of 2048 X 1536 at 75 Hz provided by the GeForce4 technology.

For unprecedented audio clarity with 24-bit multi-channel 5.1 sound, Compaq now offers the Sound Blaster Audigy sound card on the Presario 8000 Series for just $68, setting a new benchmark for PC audio with 24-bit 96 kHz 100dB SNR audio clarity comparable to professional audio systems, and surpasses many high-end home stereo solutions with exceptional realism in audio playback. Sound Blaster Audigy is the only audio processor capable of delivering EAX® ADVANCED HD™, which enables advanced 3D audio imaging and music customization tools for an unsurpassed digital entertainment experience that supports multi-track digital recording.

Digital audio enthusiasts can now spend more time listening to music, and less time making CDs with Compaq's new 40X/12X/40X CD-RW drive, also available on the Presario 6000 and 8000 PCs as a $149 option. The 40X-write speed of this CD-RW drive is faster than previous 32X and 24X drives, recording an 80-minute CD in less than four minutes. The drive is also ideal for permanent archiving of valuable data files on CD-R media or storing large files like presentations on CD-R or CD-RW media. The 40X/12X/40X CD-RW drive also features Buffer Management technology, designed to bridge minor interruptions in the data stream caused by buffer underruns during recording.

For more information about these and other Compaq products, go to Compaq's Web site at http://www.athome.compaq.com, visit a Compaq kiosk located in more than 10,000 popular retail stores and many traditional retail locations, or call Compaq at 1-800-888-0220.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.