Packard Bell sells $999 PC
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January 3, 1997: 12:43 p.m. ET
Computer maker hopes its new system will bring PCs to more homes
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) -- Packard Bell Corp. Friday launched its latest effort to reach the two-thirds of American households that do not own personal computers, unveiling a $999 Pentium-based machine marketed to families.
The company said the Packard Bell C115 will go on sale in retail outlets immediately. The machine contains a 120 MHz Intel Pentium processor, 16 MB of EDO RAM, a 1.2 GB hard drive, an 8XCD-ROM drive and a 33.6 Kbps modem/14.4 fax. A color monitor is also included.
"Our vision is to make a personal computer affordable for every home," Beny Alagem, chairman of the Sacramento, Calif.-based company, said in a statement. "By providing an entry-level PC from a top manufacturer in the sub-$1,000 price range, Packard Bell will help non-users take the first step to PC ownership."
Packard Bell cited statistics showing that two-thirds of American households do not own a PC. One reason more homes do not contain computers could be the price tag on most machines previously available. The average price tag for a PC is $2,000, according to data provided to Packard Bell by research firm International Data Corp.
"Most of the consumers who do not currently have a computer do not need cutting-edge performance or the newest toys," IDC said in a analysis. "Price is a real barrier to low-income households."
This new Packard Bell will challenge network PCs, which are low-cost devices that won't do as much as traditional personal computers, but would allow consumers to access the Internet, send electronic mail and perform other simple tasks.
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