AST Launches GRiD PalmPadsl
IRVINE, Calif. — September 21, 1993 — AST Tuesday announced the GRiD PalmPADsl, the industry's first proven handheld pen computer that integrates radio frequency communications capabilities and Intel 386sl architecture in a rugged 3.0 lb package.
The GRiD PalmPADsl will be available with built-in Motorola radio options that will support the RAM or ARDIS mobile packet data networks, or Proxim spread spectrum radio communications. The PalmPADsl is also available with a 14,400 bps data/fax modem. The GRiD PalmPADsl is designed to provide a platform for government, business and industry vertical applications solutions.
"The GRiD PalmPADsl will meet the almost universal demand for communications capabilities in vertical market applications today," said Jerry Keeran, product marketing manager, AST Research. "The PalmPADsl is the most rugged, proven, easy-to-implement pen computing solution available on the market today."
The GRiD PalmPADsl is an extension of the GRiD PalmPAD family of rugged, handheld mobile computers that have been proven in a wide variety of commercial and industrial settings since 1991.
"Wireless communications is changing the way the world will do business," said Pat Richardson, Motorola's vice president and general manager. "By combining the PalmPADsl platform with either Motorola's ARDIS or RAM radio modem, AST and Motorola can wirelessly connect U.S. business to their mobile workers — nationwide in real time."
The optional radio is built right into the unit chassis and connects directly to the main logic board to deliver the radio capability in a more rugged and operationally sound package than the PCMCIA radio modem technologies or other external plug-in technologies now available or soon to be available from other vendors.
"In addition to achieving a high degree of ruggedness, having the radio and the computer designed for each other and built-in to the chassis at the factory provides a much better solution in terms of power efficiency and battery life, electrical compatibility, and low EMF interference than can be achieved at present with the other options," Keeran said.
The GRiD PalmPADsl supports applications developed under the PenRight! family of application development environments, including PenRight! Pro, padBase, Power Pen Pal and applications developed to run under Microsoft Windows for Pen.
There are currently more than 1,500 vertical market applications ready to run on the GRiD PalmPADsl, including data collection, inspection, route accounting, inventory control, dispatching, shipping and receiving. These applications target such industries as pharmaceutical, transportation, government, public safety, consumer goods, health care, oil & gas and utilities.
The GRiD PalmPADsl features a 25 MHz Intel 386sl microprocessor and 4MB of RAM. The unit can be ordered with either one SunDisk high-capacity storage card with 2.5, 5, 10 or 20 MB of storage, or one PCMCIA Type I RAM storage card.
The unit, which measures 1.9"x9.0"x6.2", also features an optional Hayes-compatible V.42bis/MNP Level 5 9600 baud internal data/fax. The display measures 6.5" diagonally, with 640 x 400 resolution. Input is provided by a pen which is included, or by an optional keyboard or keypad.
The GRiD PalmPADsl comes bundled with MS-DOS 5.0 internal ROM, and power management utilities which allow the unit to operate in standby, suspend/resume, and sleep modes. The unit is powered by a NiMH rechargeable, removable battery with a 6 hour life under normal operating conditions.
The GRiD PalmPADsl starts at an estimated retail price of $2,319. The PalmPADsl, with the RAM or ARDIS radio option has an estimated retail price of $3,559. The PalmPADsl with the spread spectrum communications option or a data/fax modem has an estimated retail price $2,899.
The GRiD PalmPADsl is available through the AST vertical systems sales force, specialized distributors and major VARs in the United States and Canada. For more information, call 800/876-4AST.
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's award-winning product lines include desktop, file server, notebook, and pen-enabled computers, marketed under the Advantage!, Bravo, Premmia, Manhattan SMP, PowerExec, GRiD, PenRight! and Victor product names.
The company is represented in 100 countries and operates 41 international subsidiaries and sales offices. AST's corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif., 92619-7005. Telephone 714/727-4141, 800/876-4278; fax 714/727-9355.
CONTACT:
AST Research Inc.
Lauren Baker, 817/491-5369