Vertegri Research Corporation
Suite 300 - 341 Water Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1B9 V
P 604.688.6792 F 604.687.6577
Direct sales: 1.800.622.9611
Cheif Executive Officer Paul Gossen
General Manager Operations Marco Soong
Vice President Sales Stephen Ratcliffe
Senior Technology Officer Michael Beckett
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Vertegri Research launches imediaEngine, the first MacOS
clone laptop, toppling Apple's title of the "worlds fastest laptop" after
just 5 days
(MacWorld Tokyo),
Feb.19, 1997 -- Newly announced Motorola MacOS sublicensee, Vertegri Research, launches the imediaEngine, the first licensed MacOS clone laptop. Based on a modified Tanzania logicboard, the imediaEngine is powered by a 240MHz 604e processor and is the first notebook to take advantage of the newest generation of 14" LCD panels.
For high-end multimedia users, the imediaEngine seriously out-performs Apple's flagship, the PowerBook 3400c, which was launched Feburary 14th and billed by Apple as the "world's fastest laptop." Preliminary MacBench Graphics Mix results show the imediaEngine as being up to 161% faster than Apple's 3400c.
By developing the imediaEngine from an existing licensed logicboard design, Vertegri Reseach has been able to circumvent Apple's controversial restrictions on MacOS laptop clones.In recent months Apple has been criticized by industry insiders for its slow movement on licensing laptop logicboard designs which, in effect, maintains it's monopoly on Mac notebooks. The unfortunate result is that, until now, customers who needed high-end laptop solutions were forced to switch to Windows machines.
"The imediaEngine is the first laptop to offer uncompromised workstation performance to creative professionals who live and die by the quality of thier presentations. In addition, the unique aluminum, titanium and leather design commands complete attention in the boardroom" remarks Vertegri Research CEO Paul Gossen.
Traditional laptops, such as Apple's PowerBook 3400, balance processor speed and display quality against size, weight and battery life. With the imediaEngine the processing power and screen size are of paramount importance. As a result, size and weight are increased and battery life is reduced to the point that a battery will not ship as a standard option with the imediaEngine. "Once you begin making performance cuts to reduce power consumption and extend battery life you begin a process that ends with performance compromised products such as the 1400c" remarks Mike Beckett, Senior Technology Officer, with Vertegri Research.
Shipping in April, with prices ranging from $4900-$7900 US, the imediaEngine is available in three models with configurations which include: - 604e processor operating at 200MHz or 240MHz - 12.1" or 14" viewable active-matrix 24-bit LCD display with 2Mb or 4Mb Vram - 16Mb or 32Mb base Ram using standard EDO Dimms, expandable to 160Mb - 256k or 512k L2 cache, 64 bit PCI data-bus, ATI accelerated video chipset - 10x CD-ROM, 1.3Gb to 2.1Gb internal drive - 3.5" drive bay with options for ZIP, JAZ or a second harddrive up to 4Gb - 10baseT Ethernet and a 33.6 fax / modem - 4 powered speakers with a subwoofer.
The Vertegri Research imediaEngine is designed to reach a market segment with a very strong built-up demand. Apple PowerBooks have not been able to address the broad range of user needs to the extent that the PC laptop industry has. In addition, Mac notebook users have been frustrated by poor PowerBook availability which has led to Apples current $200 million backlog of PowerBook orders.
Vertegri Research Corporation, a MacOS manufacturer and Motorola MacOS sublicensee is dedicated to providing Mac users with innovative technology solutions which break through traditional product limitations. Long range products in development at Vertegri Research include a variety of unique desktop, portable, kiosk and dedicated media MacOS systems.
For more information and a media kit, contact Vertegri Research at 604-688-6792. Vertegri Research Corporation: #300-341 Water St. Vancouver, BC V6B 1B9; Tel: (604) 688-6792; Fax (604) 687-6577, visit www.paulgossen.com or email: pgci@imag.net, Direct Sales: 1-800-622-9611
