FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Brian Fawkes, Michele Moore, Jill Shanks Dell Computer Corporation 512/338-4400 DELL OFFERS UNIX SYSTEM V RELEASE 4 AUSTIN, TEXAS, OCTOBER 31, 1990 -- Dell Computer Corporation (NASDAQ: DELL) today announced that it will offer DellTM UNIXR System V Release 4, an enhanced version of the UNIX operating system. Dell UNIX System V Release 4 will provide users of the company's 386- and 486-based computer systems with the most advanced UNIX operating system software available. Dell's enhancements improve performance and compatibility while providing portability across industry standard computer systems. Dell is among the first manufacturers of personal computer systems to offer an enhanced version of UNIX System V Release 4 (SVR4). When purchased in combination with Dell's high- performance systems, Dell UNIX SVR4 represents a secure investment in the open systems market, providing users with complete, industry-standard hardware and software solutions that feature outstanding price/performance. Dell UNIX/DOS workstations and workgroup systems are based on the most current hardware and software technology. By offering Dell UNIX SVR4, the most complete and versatile iteration of UNIX available, Dell continues its commitment to provide advanced systems at aggressive prices. UNIX System V Release 4 functionally merges the most popular versions of the UNIX operating system including XENIXR, SunOS, 4.3 BSD (Berkeley UNIX) and UNIX System V, ensuring compatibility by providing a single operating system standard. Targeted for use with power workstations and in networked client/server environments, Dell's UNIX SVR4 provides upward compatibility for users in the majority of current UNIX installations. "UNIX SVR4 represents the new standard for UNIX," said G. Glenn Henry, senior vice president of Dell's product group. "The robust development environment of Release 4 will ensure the availability of increased numbers of UNIX software applications." A number of new features have been incorporated into UNIX System V Release 4, including TCP/IP network support; the Network File System (NFS) and Remote File Sharing (RFS); software development tools; and the Open Look graphical user interface. Another advantage of UNIX SVR4 is its increased conformity with industry standards such as IEEE's POSIX 1003.1, X/Open's XPG3, ANSI X3J11C and the SVR4 Application Binary Interface (ABI). Dell's offering of UNIX System V Release 4 maintains an adherence to industry standards, but also includes a unique combination of features and performance enhancements. Dell UNIX SVR4 incorporates the most advanced version of the X Window System (X11R4); the OSF/MotifTM graphical user interface from the Open Software Foundation; X.desktopTM 2.0 icon-based desktop and visual file manager from IXI Limited; Merge from Locus Computing which provides MS-DOSR emulation; and Serial Link/Internet Protocol (SL/IP) support. Other added features of Dell UNIX System V Release 4 include the XView libraries which allow developers to move SunView applications to the X windows environment; increased XENIX compatibility; and network and device drivers to support Dell products. Available in late November, Dell UNIX System V Release 4 is priced at $995 for the limited (one to two users) version, and at $1295 for a system supporting unlimited users. Dell will also offer an upgrade kit to allow users of Dell UNIX System V Release 3.2 to upgrade to Dell UNIX SVR4. The upgrade kit is priced at $399 and will also be available from Dell in late November. Dell UNIX systems also offer users added efficiency through Dell's ability to custom-configure each system during manufacturing with the appropriate memory, disk drives, communications cards, keyboard and monitor. Dell UNIX SVR4 can be factory-installed with default parameters based on memory and hard drive capacities. Dell UNIX SVR4 and every Dell UNIX system is supported with a UNIX technical support hotline and service package. The package includes a variety of support options including next-day, on-site hardware service; UNIX operating system support; UNIX- based application support; and remote system administration. Dell is an AT&T source code licensee, and has an in-house team of experts dedicated to user support and problem resolution. The quality and accessibility of the company's after-sale service and support program has been repeatedly cited as a factor in Dell's consistently high levels of customer satisfaction, as reported in eight polls of corporate customers conducted by PC WEEK in 1988, 1989 and 1990. Dell Computer Corporation designs, develops, markets, services and supports a complete line of personal computers compatible with industry standards. The company is recognized in independent surveys as having the highest customer satisfaction level in the industry for its line of personal computers. Dell pioneered the direct marketing of personal computers in 1984. Information on the company and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number: 800/937-1470. # # # Dell is a trademark of Dell Computer Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T in the United States and other countries. MS-DOS and XENIX are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. OSF/Motif is a trademark of Open Software Foundation, Inc. X.desktop is a trademark of IXI Limited. Other trademarks and tradenames are used to identify the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and tradenames other than its own.