AST SHIPS PREMIUM SE P/60, ITS FIRST INTEL PENTIUM PROCESSOR-BASED SERVER 

Processor-board implementation fully exploits 64-bit performance of chip

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 13, 1993 -- AST Research Inc. today announced it is
shipping its first Intel Pentium processor-based server, the Premium SE
P/60. The new server incorporates the 60-MHz Pentium chip on a processor
board, where up to 128MB memory and 256KB of second-level cache also
reside, optimizing use of the 64-bit data-path of the processor.

AST's Premium SE P/60 server maintains full compatibility with leading
networking operating systems, with specific capabilities to address 32-bit
operating systems such as SCO UNIX, Windows NT, Solaris, UNIXWare, OS/2,
Novell Netware and Banyan VINES.

"The Premium SE P/60 takes users to a new plateau of speed and power,
particularly effective in the critical high-use network arena," said Larry
Fortmuller, AST's director of high-performance systems. "With a 64-bit
data path, it eliminates the memory 'bottleneck' typical in 32-bit
systems."

Engineered for the networking and multiuser environments, the Premium SE
P/60 is a new model in the current i486 Premium SE line, available through
AST's reseller network. It carries an estimated sales price of $5,449.

The Premium P/60, available in base configuration Model 33, includes 16MB
of RAM expandable to 128MB, 256KB second-level cache memory and 8
available EISA expansion slots. FastSCSI hard drives mounted in slide-out
trays, along with SCSI backplanes, provide cable-free drive installation
for ease in upgrading or "hot" swapping. Up to 8GB of internal hard drive
storage can be accommodated in the main cabinet. An optional three- or
five-channel disk array controller provides the fault tolerance and high
availability required for this level of computing. The Premium SE server
also features AST FlashBIOS allowing BIOS upgrading over the network,
security protection and AST Premium VGA high-performance integrated
video.

AST's Premium SE servers are backed by a full three-year on-site warranty
on hard drive models and three-year depot on base models. Service is
provided by AST's more than 1,400 Authorized Service Providers. As part of
its comprehensive service and support program, AST provides a 24-hour, 7
days-per-week toll-free technical hotline, Info-FAX and AST On-Line!
worldwide 24 hour bulletin board service for technical support and product
information. AST On-Line! features a new graphical interface for easy
navigation through the myriad of information available on the service.

Corporate Background

AST Research Inc., ranked No. 367 on the 1992 Fortune 500 list of America's
largest industrial companies, develops personal computer products with
technologies ranging from hand-held portable computers to superservers.

In July 1993, AST acquired Tandy Corp.'s PC manufacturing business. The
acquisition makes AST the No. 4 U.S. and No. 6 worldwide personal computer
company, according to the calendar year 1992 unit volume shipment data
from International Data Corp. These figures include AST, Tandy and GRiD
brands manufactured by AST.

AST announced record revenues of $409.2 million for the fourth quarter
ended July 3, 1993, and record fiscal year end revenues of $1.412 billion.
This compares to revenues of $266.3 million for the fourth quarter of the
prior year and $944.1 million for fiscal year 1992.

AST's award-winning product lines include desktop, file server, notebook
and pen-enabled computers, marketed under the Advantage!, Bravo, Premmia,
Manhattan SMP, PowerExec, GRiD, Victor and PenRight! brand names.

The company is represented in 100 countries and operates 41 subsidiaries
and sales offices worldwide. AST's corporate headquarters is located 16219
Alton Parkway, Irvine, Calif. 92718. Telephone: (714) 727-4141, (800)
876-4278. Fax: (714) 727-9355

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