New IBM PCs, notebooks arrive
IBM announces new consumer PCs and ThinkPad notebooks.
The new machines come as IBM tries to rebuild its consumer sales
The new E series models will be the first with a Pentium II |
The new Aptiva desktop model is the first of its E series of consumer PCs to be powered by an Intel Pentium II processor. To date, this series, generally lower-priced than other Aptiva models, has employed processors by rivals Cyrix and Advanced Micro Devices or earlier generation Pentium MMX processors.
The E series has been more widely marketed in Europe than the U.S. Domestically, many of the E series computers have been sold through limited retail agreements. Radio Shack and Office Max, for instance, have sold E series Aptivas that were not available elsewhere.
IBM also introduced two new ThinkPad models developed "specifically for distribution through consumer retail channels," according to the company, as well as a low-cost version of its popular 560 line of ultraportable notebooks that ships with a 12.1-inch dual-scan display and 200-MHz MMX Pentium processor for $2,499.
The ThinkPad 310ED and 385XD are targeted at the low to mid-range notebook markets. The 385XD will come with 233-MHz MMX Pentium, 12.1-inch dual-scan display, and 24X CD-ROM for $2,499. The 385XD comes with a 56-kbps PC card modem and active matrix display for $3,299.
IBM is also running a limited time rebate of $200 on the ThinkPad 310ED. With a 166-MHz MMX Pentium and 12.1-inch dual-scan display, the system is being offered for $1,599.
The new IBM Aptiva E76 desktop PC features a 300-MHz Intel Pentium II processor, 64MB of memory, an 8.0GB hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, and 56-kbps modem for $1,799.