Intel Unveils New Motherboard Form Factor To Reduce Cost Of Ownership

Specification will Allow Easier Upgrades and Dockable Motherboard while Supporting Current and Future Processor Technologies

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- November 14, 1996 -- Intel Corporation, with the support of other industry hardware suppliers, today announced a new motherboard form factor specification called NLX. Improving upon today's various low-profile motherboard form factors, this specification will support current, and future generations of processors as well as other PC technologies such as chip sets, graphics, and memory technologies. By allowing better access to upgradable components, and providing a dockable motherboard, which can be easily installed and removed, the NLX form factor will help to reduce the total cost of ownership of Personal Computers. PC manufacturers and Information Technology managers gain increased serviceability and improved support for multimedia, communications and future I/O capabilities.

Available to the entire computer industry, the NLX motherboard specification represents the results of Intel working closely with IBM and other key manufacturers worldwide. Intended for widespread use in many types of systems, the NLX specification enables a common platform for incorporating new capabilities to address the demands of today's computing environment while providing the flexibility needed to accommodate the best designs for current and future PCs. The NLX motherboard specification enables a variety of system implementations ranging from very low profile systems, to desktops and minitowers.

"The NLX specification is another step in Intel's Wired for Management Initiative to further reduce the costs of computing and improve low-profile system designs, without sacrificing necessary performance or flexibility," said Steve Werner, general manager, Intel's OEM Products and Services Division. "By providing standard building blocks for the industry, Intel can help make such innovations more broadly and quickly available to all."

IBM was a significant contributor to the development of the NLX specification through its Advanced Manageability Alliance with Intel, a wide-ranging cooperative effort to make PCs easier to manage and less costly to support.

"IBM is committed to developing and delivering products that reduce the total cost of ownership. By collaborating closely with Intel on this new industry motherboard specification, we have taken another major step towards delivering on that commitment," said Ms. Anne Sylvia, vice president of development, IBM PC Company, Client Products Group.

Support from key high-tech PC manufacturers demonstrates a solid step towards enabling a common building block for the industry.

"Bringing cost-effective, highly manufactureable and serviceable solutions to our customers was a key focus in Digital's contribution to the NLX specification," said Howard Elias, vice president, Worldwide Business Segments, Personal Computer Business Unit, Digital Equipment Corporation.

The NLX motherboard form factor specification is currently supported by AST, Digital Equipment Corporation, Fujitsu LTD., Gateway 2000, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, ICL Personal Computers AB, Micron Electronics Inc., NEC Computer Systems, Division of Packard Bell, Inc., Sony Electronics, Toshiba, and Tulip Computers; as well as leading board manufacturer ASUStek Computer of Taiwan.

Using the NLX motherboard form factor specification PC manufacturers will be able to reduce their time-to-market with products based on new technology, offering a wider range of new features. Wide industry support of NLX will encourage multiple vendors to supply the best building blocks possible.

The NLX form factor specification is available today and can be found on the website at http://www.teleport.com/~nlx.

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