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Packard Bell Unveils $999 PC

Pentium-based system includes monitor, 33.6-kbps modem.

By Glenn McDonald, PCWorld   

The Packard Bell C115 includes a 120-MHz Intel Pentium processor, 16MB of EDO RAM, 1.2GB hard drive, 8X CD-ROM drive, and 33.6-kbps modem/14.4 fax. With an anticipated street price of $999, the system will appeal to the budget-conscious.

However, the 14-inch color monitor (13.1-inch viewable image area) is smaller than those found on most PCs, and users can find comparable systems at similar prices through close-out sales or the local assembly market--it just takes a little more work.

%dquotI think the significance is that a major vendor is doing a new product based on the $1000 price point,%dquot said Bruce Stephens, analyst for International Data Corporation (IDC), an industry research firm. %dquotYou can get a $1000 system now if you go out into the screwdriver channel (local assembly market).%dquot

The C115 will be available through retail outlets and includes a one-year limited warranty and toll-free technical support during the warranty period for hardware-related issues, making it more appealing to first-time buyers. Premier Support, a pay-as-you-go service, is also available for more in-depth how-to questions, software training and other assistance.

%dquotYou%squotre going to see more of this,%dquot Stephens said. %dquotVendors are at a point now where they%squotre going to bite the bullet and increase demand by tackling more economical price points. But it%squots tricky--support costs are high and the profit margin is pretty low. Packard is in a defensive position; they%squotve been losing market share lately. This is a way for them to differentiate themselves.%dquot

According to IDC, nearly two-thirds of American households do not own a personal computer. The average $2000 price tag was cited in a recent IDCreport as a chief deterrent.

The C115 also includes a 64-bit graphics/video accelerator and MPEG-1 full-motion video playback of movies and games, in addition to 1MB of video memory that%squots upgradeable to 2MB and SVGA video resolution.

Plus, it features 16-bit SRS 3-D Ampitheater Stereo Sound and Packard Bell%squots Comm Central telephone answering system with voice mailboxes and fax capabilities.

The company throws in such software as Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Works, Corel WordPerfect Suite, Quicken Special Edition, and Microsoft Windows 95 Entertainment Pack.