Compaq unveils Presario EZ2000

BANGALORE: Compaq Computer Corp has said that it will introduce a new line of
PCs, wireless links and digital cameras that are a deviation from its focus PCs.

Compaq said its new Presario EZ2000 PC models, with prices starting at $999,
come with easy-to-use features and one-touch Internet access. The Presario
EZ2000 PC parallels a new line of small and stylish PCs introduced last month by
rival Dell. Other PC makers plan similar machines in coming months. The EZ2000
PC is the latest in a new class of computers to take advantage of smaller
motherboards, or internal chassis, from top PC chip maker Intel Corp. and
simpler connector technology known as Universal Serial Bus (USB). The new PCs
take up roughly one third the desktop space of a normal sized PC and in Dell's
case come in different colors, with a consumer friendly industrial design
strategy pioneered by Apple Computer Inc.

One notable difference is that Compaq offers a floppy drive, while Dell
eliminated the floppy drive as a standard feature in its Webpc. The new Compaq
EZ2000 PCs feature Intel Celeron and Pentium III processors and come with panels
to add additional memory memory, peripherals, or hard drives. Another feature on
the new Presario allows users to set a time for their PC to "wake-up"
and check for incoming E-mail.

The Presario EZ2000 Series PCs boast a compact discread-write drive along
with the RioPort Audio Manager and MGI Videowave III software for managing
digital music and video. In addition, a second model, the Presario EZ2700, is
available from Compaq and both the new PCs will be available in late-January.
Compaq also announced a completely redesigned monitor to complement the Presario
EZ2000 Series - the MV 730I 17-inch multimedia monitor, priced at $399.

The company is also offering a wireless connection device in partnership with
Proxim Inc. that allows consumers to create a wireless home computer network.
Finally, Compaq said it was now making digital cameras available with virtually
all of its consumer desktop PCs. The products will be unveiled at the Winter
Consumer Electronics Show (CES) beginning in Las Vegas later this week.