Mitsubishi Electric to Launch the Pedion Mobile Computer

- A high-performance, superthin, superlightweight, personal computer that delivers the ideal mobile office environment -

Tokyo, September 9, 1997 -- On September 30, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Takashi Kitaoka, President) will begin selling the Pedion, a mobile computer that achieves high performance, portability, functionality, and easy operation by incorporating state-of-the-art technologies.

Employing a Pentium ^® processor with advanced MMX ^® technology, the Pedion is an innovative mobile computer that sets a new standard as the world thinnest (as of September 1997, according to our research) A4-sized PC, at 18 mm, as well as being superlightweight at 1.5 kg. With the Pedion, Mitsubishi Electric aims to create a new market in mobile computing.

In order to make speedy and accurate decisions in a world that is changing by the minute, people in business have to have their office environments with them at all times, so they can access the latest information on the spot to quickly process and analyze it.

Mitsubishi Electric's high-performance, superthin, superlightweight Pedion is a pathbreaking solution that achieves the ideal mobile office environment.

Mitsubishi Electric has introduced a succession of small, lightweight mobile computers incorporating the Windows ^® operating system: the AMiTY SP and the AMiTY VP, both of which allow easy operation with an electronic pen, and the AMiTY CN, which uses a keyboard for input and was launched in June 1997. The company has thus consistently led the mobile computer market. As the market leader, we are continuing to launch mobile PCs that anticipate market needs.

(1) In pursuit of maximum portability, the world's highest-level technologies have been employed to realize a superthin, lightweight body.

Performance comparable to that of a desktop PC has been achieved through the use of the newest energy-saving processor, which is best suited to mobile computers, and by incorporating a large memory and a high-speed video accelerator.

A thin, magnesium die-cast body embodying new-generation design is packed with state-of-the-art technologies, including a newly developed large (12.1-inch), SVGA (800 x 600 dot), TFT liquid crystal display; an easy-to-use, superthin keyboard featuring advanced design (key pitch of about 19 mm); and superthin lithium polymer batteries.

(2) Long-life batteries capable of providing power for up to six hours

Use of high-performance, superthin lithium polymer batteries enables long operating times: about one and half hours using just the built-in battery** and up to six hours** if an optional extended battery is added. The total thickness of the Pedion is only 30 mm when the extended battery is combined with the main body, allowing easy use in the field.

** Battery operating times vary depending on operating conditions.

(3) External interfaces and extendibility that can accommodate a wide variety of needs

The Pedion comes equipped with a USB connector and infrared communication port (IrDA1.1) as standard equipment and offers network access via LANs, ISDNs, PHSs (portable handy-phone systems), digital mobile phones, etc., through two PC card slots that support Card Bus and ZV Port. Thus it can thus flexibly accommodate a wide variety of needs.

The Pedion also incorporates a CD-ROM drive with a speed of up to 20 times, an FDD, and stereo speakers, with an optional expansion unit it can be connected to external peripheral equipment, such as a CRT, a keyboard, a mouse, and a printer. As such, it has ample extendibility.

<Regarding trademarks>

- Pentium (R) is a registered trademark of Intel Corp. of the U.S.

- VGA (R) is a registered trademark of IBM Corp. of the U.S.

- Microsoft (R) and Windows (R) are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. of the U.S.

- AMiTY is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

- Other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the relevant companies.

JEIDA: Japan Electronic Industry Development Association

PCMCIA: Personal Computer Memory Card International Association

USB: Universal Serial Bus

IrDA: Infrared Data Association

Note: This product will be manufactured for the domestic market only.