IBM today announced the new NetVista A60i desktop computer, a system that adds the powerful multimedia, imaging and Internet capabilities of the new Intel Pentium 4 processor to the stylish, easy-to-use IBM NetVista line. Available in a black, highly expandable minitower, the new system includes innovative new graphics features that places it at the center of a home theater, combining the capabilities of a Digital Video Recorder with home-video editing and DVD playback.
The NetVista A60i features Pentium 4 processor speeds of 1.4 or 1.5 GHz(1) and is designed for creative consumers seeking the fastest, sleekest, most powerful computer available. The system pioneers the combination of the ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder graphics card on a computer equipped with Pentium 4. This card enables people to take control of television viewing, pausing live broadcasts, creating instant replays, and using Guide Plus+ to search through TV listings and record by title, category, actor or date, without monthly fees(3).
"There's always a market for people who want nothing less than the very fastest personal computer," says Aaron Goldberg, vice president and principal analyst, Ziff-Davis Media. "IBM launched the NetVista line earlier this year with a focus on design, ease of use and connectivity. IBM is now tweaking the top-end of that line with high performance, including industry-first personal video recording capabilities, for the heat-seeker crowd."
In addition to the new NetVista A60i, IBM also announced two other desktop computers featuring the Intel Pentium 4 processor: the NetVista A60, a business version of the A60i; and the new IntelliStation M Pro, a workstation for professionals involved in digital content creation, multimedia development, animation, video editing, mechanical engineering and 3-D design. Completely redesigned, the IntelliStation M Pro delivers professionals with the extra power they need for intensive, data and graphics-rich computing.
All-New IntelliStation M Pro Debuts with 1.5GHz Speed, More Graphics Power
The totally redesigned IBM IntelliStation M Pro 6849 workstation is boosted by advanced Intel Pentium 4 processors at speeds up to 1.5GHz. The new Intel NetBurst microarchitecture -- supported by the new Intel 850 chipset with up to 2GB ECC Rambus memory -- delivers more data through the 400MHz front-side bus to power Intel's Rapid Execution Engine and enhanced floating point/multimedia unit. Designed for flexible, tool-free expansion, the IntelliStation M Pro chassis accommodates six adapters (five PCI slots, one 4X AGP Pro 50) and 7 storage devices (4 bays open), fed by 340W power supply and cooled by up to four fans.
This versatile minitower can be reoriented as a desktop that supports the weight of a 21" monitor, or can be rackmounted with an optional kit. A comprehensive range of performance 2D and advanced 3D graphics solutions are certified, including the Matrox Millennium G450 and NVIDIA Quadro2 MXR, both supporting dual displays for enhanced productivity. For extreme 3D performance, the Fire GL2 video adapter -- accelerated by IBM copper microtechnology -- delivers more value and performance against more expensive competitors. Data storage has been reinforced with a choice of ATA/100 EIDE or Ultra 160 SCSI hard disk drives, with capacities up to 30GB(4) and 36GB, respectively. For even faster data throughput, a 15,000rpm Ultra 160 SCSI 18.2GB model can be added. The IntelliStation M Pro 6849 comes preloaded with Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, with the user option to install Windows NT 4.0.
IBM IntelliStation workstations provide owners with a three-year, on-site limited parts and labor warranty(5); free 24x7x365(6) technical support is standing by for the duration of the warranty, augmented by the IntelliStation "Ask Engineering" rapid response team. Via the Web, users can directly contact IntelliStation system engineers on issues ranging from setup to optimizing system components for peak performance with mission-critical applications.
The New High-End NetVista A60i and A60
Introduced roughly six months ago, the IBM NetVista line-up has received numerous industry awards and accolades while also gaining quick customer adoption. From its introduction in May until October, NetVista sales rose from 0% to 75% of all of IBM-branded desktop sales. Today's announcement of the new A60 and A60i desktops expands the NetVista family of products to include the high-end performance category.
With a 45-gigabyte hard drive, the IBM NetVista A60i records up to 63 hours of VCR-quality video, and up to a whopping 100 hours with an available 75-gigabyte hard drive. In addition, the A60i plays DVD movies on an attached television or computer display, captures MPEG-2 video, provides new levels of realism to 3-D game environments, and enables people to create and edit home videos. The A60i is also available with the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 4X AGP graphics card.
The A60i is highly expandable, featuring seven slots and six bays, and includes the 1.4 or 1.5 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 128 megabytes of RDRAM (up to a maximum of 1 gigabyte), a 45- or 75-gigabyte hard drive, CD-RW and DVD-ROM drives, a 56K modem(7), integrated 10/100 Ethernet, Rapid Access III keyboard, ScrollPoint III mouse, and a choice of the 32 MB NVIDIA GeForce GTS 4X AGP graphics card or the 32 MB ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder card. Software includes Windows Millennium Edition, Lotus SmartSuite Millennium Edition(8), and IBM's Software Select CD. Audio includes the Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live! audio card, IBM speakers, and an Altec Lansing subwoofer on select models. Several IBM-developed ease-of-use features come standard with the A60i including:
- IBM Rapid Access III keyboard with one-touch EZ keys makes surfing the Web and computing easy;
- IBM ScrollPoint III mouse allows for easy 360 degree navigation through Web pages and spreadsheets; and
- Access IBM button for one-touch fast path access to customized information and IBM help(3).
The IBM NetVista A60 also features seven slots and six bays, and includes the 1.4 or 1.5 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 128 megabytes of RDRAM (up to a maximum of 1 gigabyte), a 15- or 45-gigabyte hard drive, CD-ROM drive, a 56K modem, integrated 10/100 Ethernet, and a choice of the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 4X AGP graphics card or the TNT2 graphics card. Software includes Windows 2000 or Windows NT Choose and Recover, Lotus SmartSuite Millennium Edition, and the IBM Software Select CD.
New software tools for the NetVista line help people upgrade from another computer and include IBM Backup and Restore and IBM Data Transfer. Backup and Restore provides automatic backup with one-button restore capabilities in the event of software glitches or system crashes. Data Transfer ensures the quick, safe and easy transfer of data and electronic personality settings from previous personal computer, including other manufacturers, to NetVista systems. An IBM CD enables people to be up and running with personal settings and data in minutes, avoiding the hassle of ghosting and floppy disk exchanges.
New Monitors, DVD-RAM Drive
IBM also announced the new IBM T84H 18-inch Flat Panel Monitor, the latest in IBM's line of "hybrid" monitor that offers customers the versatility to process both analog and digital signals. The T84H features an 18" viewable image with a .28mm pixel pitch, including flicker-free operation with a maximum addressability of 1280 x 1024 pels and an active display area of 14.1" x 11.2". It supports dual input using two analog interfaces or one analog and one digital. The T84H is available in pearl white or stealth black starting at $2,699(2).
For high-performance at a low cost, IBM has designed the new IBM E94 CRT Monitor, ideal for viewing multiple windows simultaneously and for text editing and spreadsheets. The E94 features an 18" viewable image with .26mm pixel pitch. The monitor offers flicker-free operation at resolution up to 1280 x 1024 pels and features a maximum addressability of 1600 x 1200 pels. The E94 is available in stealth black and pearl white starting at $369.00(2).
IBM also announced a new desktop option, the IBM 9.4/4.7GB(9) DVD-RAM drive. Designed using the industry's next-generation storage standard, IBM's DVD-RAM offering allows users to back-up, archive, transfer, and distribute applications and vast amounts of data. In addition to fast recording of program and data files on DVD-RAM media, the drives can read data on DVD-ROM discs and pre-recorded and recordable CDs for legacy data protection. Also, with the included MPEG2 decoding solution, these DVD-RAM drives can play MPEG2 DVD movies or video files. Targeted at individuals and professionals with data intensive storage needs, the IBM 9.4/4.7GB DVD-RAM is available as an option for $489.00(2), either individually or paired with the IBM NetVista A60, A60i or IntelliStation M Pro.
The IBM IEEE 1394 PCI Card enables people to quickly capture digital video and other data, features automatic configuration, and includes MGI Video Wave digital video editing software. It supports data transfer speeds up to 400 Mbps. The price, including video editing software and two cables for connections to various IEEE 1394 devices, is $115.00(2).
1. MHz and GHz only measures microprocessor internal clock speed, not application performance. Many factors affect application performance.
2. IBM Direct price; does not include taxes or shipping and is subject to change without notice. Actual reseller prices may vary. IBM reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.
3. Requires separate Internet account.
4. GB equals 1 billion bytes and MB equals 1 million bytes when referring to storage capacity; accessible capacity may be less.
5. For information regarding the terms and conditions of IBM's limited warranty, please visit our Web site or call 1-800-772--2227. Copies are available upon request.
6. Response time varies. May exclude some holidays.
7. These 56K modems are designed to be capable of receiving data at up to 56Kbps from a compatible service provider, and transmitting data at up to 31.2Kbps.
Public networks currently limit maximum download speeds to about 53Kbps. Actual speeds depend on many factors and are often less than the maximum possible.
8. Some software may differ from its retail version (if available), and may not include user manuals or all program functionality. For non-IBM software, applicable third party software licenses may apply. IBM makes no representations or warranties regarding non-IBM products.
9. DVD-RAM drive, read write and re-write speeds vary and list only the maximum possible. Actual DVD RAM speeds will vary and are often less than the maximum possible.