REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 12, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. and ViewSonic®
Corp. today announced that Amazon.com, Buy.com Inc., CompUSA Inc., Dell.com, Fry’s Electronics Inc. and RCS Computer are the first U.S. retail partners to support ViewSonic’s new line of Windows®
Powered Smart Displays. The 10-inch air panel (TM) V110 and 15-inch V150 are touch-screen LCD monitors with integrated 802.11b wireless support that allow consumers to use their Windows XP Professional-based PC desktop remotely from any room in the home at any time.*
“Customers count on CompUSA to provide the latest product advancements in technology,”
said Tony Weiss, executive vice president of CompUSA.
”
ViewSonic’s air panel V110 and V150 Smart Displays will revolutionize the way consumers use their Windows-based PCs, and we are excited to participate in this next wave in home computing.”
To provide maximum value and ease of use for consumers, both air panel Smart Displays will be sold as a total solution with everything required to get the devices up and running right out of the box. Included in the box with the display device will be integrated wireless support, a USB wireless adapter for the PC (a $100 value) and an upgrade to the required Microsoft®
Windows XP Professional operating system (a $200 value).
“Smart Displays are the latest step in the evolution of the monitor, offering the flexibility and power that will transform home computing,”
said Brian Igoe, vice president of U.S. sales at ViewSonic.
“The enthusiastic support we have received from our retail partners demonstrates the potential of this new product category to today’s technology-savvy consumers.”
The air panel V110 and V150 are wireless, touch-screen monitors that make it possible for consumers to use their home computer anywhere in the house. Using Smart Displays, consumers can surf the Web from their couch, check e-mail while lying in bed, download recipes in the kitchen, or share digital pictures on the patio. Both the V110 and V150 can operate as remote mobile monitors throughout the home. With a resolution of 1,024×768 pixels, the V150 can also be employed as the primary desktop monitor for a home computing system by adding the optional docking station.
“Smart Displays liberate consumers from their home office, providing them with anytime, anywhere access to their Windows XP-based PC,”
said Keith White, senior director of marketing for the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft.
“Microsoft is excited to be working with ViewSonic and these broad-reaching retailers to bring consumers Smart Displays, empowering them with convenient access to the information, applications and services they use most.”
Primary first buyers of Smart Displays are expected to be the traditional early adopters of technology. This audience, composed of customers eager to apply forward-looking technology and gadgets to their daily lives, can test-drive the air panel V110 and V150 in the Microsoft corporate booth at COMDEX Fall 2002 in Las Vegas.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2003, the air panel V110 and V150 are scheduled to be available at estimated street prices (ESP) starting at $999 and $1,299, respectively.** Additional information on ViewSonic’s Smart Displays can be found at http://www.viewsonic.com/smartdisplays/ , and information about Microsoft Windows Powered Smart Displays is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/smartdisplay/ .
About ViewSonic
ViewSonic Corp., a Visual Technologies (TM) leader, offers comprehensive display solutions for today’s business, Internet, education and entertainment markets. The company’s products have won more than 1,000 awards globally from independent publications and organizations.
Headquartered in Walnut, Calif., ViewSonic was founded in 1987 and is a privately held corporation. For further information, please contact ViewSonic Corp. at (800) 888-8583 or (909) 869-7976; or by fax (909) 468-3736; or online at http://www.ViewSonic.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
* Normal operating range will cover all of most houses, but range may vary depending on manufacturer hardware, connection speed and environmental conditions.
** Actual retail prices may vary.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .
