First Network Computer Announced By IBM

Somers, NY--September 5, 1996--IBM announced its first network computer--a new computing device that provides customers with an economical platform (under $700) for doing net-based business or "e-business."

The IBM Network Station is the first network computer to be formally introduced by any of the leading technology companies that came together in May 1996 to define common standards for such a device.

The IBM Network Station offers plug-and-play simplicity and an intuitive Windows-style graphical interface, but is managed through a server network for both Internet-related and traditional business applications.

The IBM Network Station will support network access over intranets using Ethernet and Token Ring connections, and can concurrently access Java, Windows NT, Unix, OS/2, and IBM's AS/400, RS/6000 and S/390 servers, as well as Internet and Lotus Notes groupware applications.

Users will have the advantage of connecting to multiple servers simultaneously, as well as personal data control, and access to e-mail and workgroup applications. Changes implemented at the server will be automatically replicated to the attached IBM Network Station.

The IBM Network Station will be the first network computer to support Netscape's new web browser, Navigator 3.0, providing full World Wide Web access to customers. The Netscape browser will be customized for the network computer by NAVIO, a recently created subsidiary of Netscape that was founded to bring Netscape Internet capability to network computers and consumer devices.

The IBM Network Station is eight inches by 10 inches by 1-1/4 inches (20x25x3 cm). The unit weighs 2-1/2 pounds and comes with an IBM microprocessor, memory, network adapter, keyboard, and mouse, with an optional monitor. The IBM Network Station, to be manufactured jointly by IBM and NCD (Mountain View, CA) will begin shipping by the end of the year.

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