Device Bay Technology To Enable Easy-To-Configure, More Affordable PCs

Compaq, Intel and Microsoft Working with Computer Industry to Develop Specification

Chandler, Ariz, - March 31, 1997 – Compaq Computer Corporation, Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corporation today announced that the three companies are working with the computer industry to develop an industry specification that would significantly improve the way PC customers purchase, install and upgrade PCs and PC devices.

Device Bay, which is receiving broad industry acceptance, defines an industry specification for interchangeable peripheral devices, such as hard disk drives, modems, network adapters, CD drives, DVD drives and a variety of other electronics devices. The Device Bay technology is expected to be supported in future Intel chipsets and related products, future versions of Microsoft Windows and Windows NT, and future Compaq commercial and consumer products.

The technology is being developed in response to customers' desires to easily upgrade and customize their PCs and peripherals. With Device Bay, a customer would be able to insert a peripheral like a DVD drive directly into a PC without opening, rebooting or turning off the PC.

Installing a peripheral into a PC will be as easy as placing a compact disc into a CD player or a tape into a VCR, providing customers with a greater degree of flexibility, ease-of-use and affordability when buying or upgrading a PC.

Because of its manageability, security, ease-of-use and support for a wide variety of peripherals, Device Bay is expected to apply to a broad range of PC categories, including commercial and consumer desktop and portable PCs. The technology also enables PC manufacturers to provide a wide variety of configurations in a flexible and affordable manner.

In addition to providing the ability to mix and match peripherals, Device Bay is expected to make it easier to service and upgrade PCs, thus decreasing the total cost of ownership and improving the ownership experience for all customers.

The companies said that plans for the Device Bay specification would address desktop and mobile system needs. The final specification release is expected late in the second quarter of 1997. It would define the Device Bay system architecture, mechanical form factor, operating system behavior and mechanism for adding and upgrading PC peripherals without opening the chassis. Additional information is available at www.device-bay.org.

Device Bay would use the existing, complementary industry interfaces of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 High Performance Serial Bus.

"Device Bay reinforces Compaq's vision of providing useful innovation to its consumer and corporate customers," said Mike Winkler, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PC Products Group, Compaq Computer Corporation. "We are excited to take a leading role in bringing this innovation to the marketplace as we believe it will bring customers increased flexibility, ease-of-use and investment protection. We also expect Device Bay to dramatically change the way PCs are purchased, used and upgraded."

"We're excited with the advent of modular flexibility enabled by the Device Bay technology," said Pat Gelsinger, Vice President and General Manager for Intel's Desktop Products Group. "We believe this opens up new models of upgradability for business and consumer PC users, and nicely complements our vision for NetPC and Interactive PC Theater."

"Device Bay enables easy extensibility for every user, delivering on the vision of the Simply Interactive PC and our efforts to address total cost of ownership via Zero Administration Windows," said Moshe Dunie, Vice President of Windows Operating Systems Division at Microsoft.

Three industry reviews have provided important feedback from companies representing all segments of the PC industry. The Device Bay concept is already supported by a significant number of leading PC, chipset, software and peripheral companies and resellers, including: Adaptec, Cirrus Logic, Digital, Exabyte, Harmon Industries International, Hewlett Packard, Highpoint Technologies, Hitachi, IBM, Ingram Micro, LG Electronics, Maxtor, Mitsubishi Electric Corp., National Semiconductor, Packard Bell NEC, Quantum, Sanyo, Seagate, Silicon Systems, Sony, Symbios Logic, TEAC, Texas Instruments, Toshiba and Western Digital.

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ), a Fortune 100 company, is the fifth largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers, delivering useful innovation through products that connect people with people and people with information. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices. Compaq is strategically organized to meet the current and future needs of its customers, offering Internet and enterprise computing solutions, networking products, commercial PC products and consumer PCs. As the leader in distributed enterprise solutions, Compaq has shipped over a million servers. In 1996, the company reported worldwide sales of $18.1 billion. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products can be found at www.compaq.com or by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ. Product information and reseller locations can be obtained by calling 1-800-345-1518.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. Visit Microsoft's corporate information Web page at www.microsoft.com/corpinfo/.

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