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March 11, 1998

HITACHI TO LAUNCH "PERSONA" COLOR HANDHELD PC WITH JAPANESE-LANGUAGE VERSION OF MICROSOFT^(R) WINDOWS^(R) CE 2.0

-Unsurpassed operability and communications environment offered by an exceptional line up of standard features including fully-featured keyboard, large color screen, high-speed modem and personal digital cellular phone (PDC)/personal handy phone system (PHS) data communications interface-

Product overview of Handheld PC PERSONA

Model:	HPW- 200JC
Price (excluding tax):	138,000 yen
Shipping date:	April 20
Preinstalled OS:	Microsoft(R) Windows(R)CE 2.0 Japanese-language Version

*Supplied accessories: AC adapter, rechargeable lithium ion battery, stylus pen, serial cable, phone cable, two CD-ROMs

The rapid proliferation of personal computers and advances in the communications infrastructure are making ever more sophisticated information access and processing capabilities available over a broad range of venues, centered mainly on the office. One result is a rapidly growing market for portable information terminal devices that let mobile users take their data with them and exchange information on the run. Two key capabilities being required of these portable information terminal devices are high compatibility with Windows^(R)-based PCs and ready access to the Internet and intranets.
Recognizing these needs, Hitachi in April 1997 introduced a Handheld PC in North America that was preinstalled the Microsoft^(R) Windows^(R) CE English-language Version operating system.

Now, to respond to heightening demand for Handheld PCs among Japanese users, Hitachi is launching PERSONA, a color Handheld PC preinstalled Microsoft^(R)'s Windows^(R) CE 2.0 Japanese-language Version and engineered with emphasizes on industry-leading basic specifications and operability.

With its high-speed (100MHz) CPU, 16MB of RAM, expansive 8.1-inch color screen and fully-featured keyboard, PERSONA is designed for " Speed, Viewability and Keyboard-friendliness."
Meticulous attention has been given to the special needs of users on the move. With the Quick Start key, for example, the desired program or PIM software can be started with a single stroke, a definite plus for mobile users who frequently need to check specific data and appointments with no lost time.
A high-speed 33.6kbps modem and a PDC/PHS (PIAFS:PHS Internet Access Forum Standard) data communications interface are provided as standard features. Hooking up with a telephone line, personal digital cellular phone or PHS phone is only a matter of a simple cable connection, making setup for data communications (including e-mail, Lotus^(R) cc:Mail, and Groupmail) quick and easy. A long-life lithium ion battery guarantees hour after hour of powerful mobile computing.

PERSONA comes preinstalled with an impressive array of applications software, including Microsoft^(R) Pocket Internet Explorer, Microsoft^(R) Pocket Word, Microsoft^(R) Pocket Excel, Microsoft^(R) Pocket PowerPointR and Microsoft^(R) Pocket Outlook?, a lineup that provides easy linkage with personal computers and access to data from the Internet, as well as a multitude of ways to put it to use. Also installed are five original programs offerings such as Jiten, a dictionary in Japanese, and File View, for viewing Microsoft^(R) Word and Microsoft^(R) Excel files attached to e-mail.
In addition to marketing PERSONA through retail outlets, Hitachi also plans to make it available as a commercial-use terminal for sales and maintenance applications that capitalize on Hitachi's system integrative sales capabilities.

Main Features of the HPW-200JC

1. Microsoft^(R) Windows^(R) CE 2.0 Japanese-language Version OS

   By adopting Microsoft^(R) Windows^(R) CE 2.0 Japanese-language Version, Microsoft^(R) Windows^(R) CE Services , and ActiveSync?, PERSONA achieves high operational compatibility with Microsoft^(R) Windows^(R) 95-based personal computers. In addition, upgraded application software simplifies exchange of Microsoft^(R) Word, Microsoft^(R) Excel and other data with personal computers.

   
   
2. Easy-to-use fully-featured keyboard

   With a key pitch of 16.5mm, top class among Handheld PCs, PERSONA's fully-featured keyboard permits efficient preparation of documents, spread sheets and the like by touch typing.

   Keyboard touch is optimized by a pleasant 2.5mm keystroke.

   The individual keys operate on the pantograph principle to lighten touch and enhance user key stroke confidence. The result is smoother typing and fewer errors.

   
   
3. Large color screen with superbright clarity

   A large (8.1-inch) backlit screen makes documents, spread sheets or any type of displayed material pleasant to view and work with.

   Internet homepages, photographs and other color images can be rendered brilliantly in 256 colors.

   
   
4. PDC/PHS (PIAFS) interface and high-speed modem

   A personal digital cellular phone (PDC)/PHS (PIAFS) data communication interface is included as a standard feature. Initiating a remote data exchange is as simple and quick as connecting a cable with the digital portable phone or PHS phone.

   The built-in high-speed modem (Data: 33.6kbps, Fax: 14.4kbps) provides sending e-mail and Internet access capability.

   
   
5. Quick Start key

   Applications can be brought up instantaneously by use of the Quick Start key. Key assignments include 8 preinstalled programs plus two others of the user's choice.

   
   
6. High-speed CPU and abundant memory enhanced by spunky endurance

   Lightning-quick data processing capability is ensured by a high-speed, high-performance CPU, Hitachi's SH-3(100MHz), a 32-bit RISC microcomputer of the Hitachi SuperH? RISC engine family.

   PERSONA is preinstalled with a copious 16MB of memory, expandable to a maximum of 48MB.

   The lithium ion battery is as tenacious as they come, supplying the power needed for long periods of computing.

   
   
7. E-mail, Lotus^(R) cc:mail, and Groupmail

   E-mail capability extends to Lotus^(R) cc:mail and Groupmail (the e-mail feature of Groupmax, Hitachi's integrated groupware).

   (A separately sold gateway system is needed to use Lotus^(R) cc:mail.)

   
   
8. Broad array of original software

   PERSONA is bundled with a variety of useful communication/PIM programs. A sampling includes NIFTY Tsushin for Windows^(R) CE, providing access to NIFTY-Serve online services, File View, for viewing Microsoft^(R) Word and Microsoft^(R) Excel files attached to e-mail, Tegaki Memo, for handwritten memos in Japanese, and Jiten, a dictionary in Japanese.

   
   
9. Adaptable to commercial-use terminal applications

   Installed with the Microsoft^(R) Windows^(R) CE defact standard operating system, PERSONA is readily usable for software development. Applications can also be developed using Microsoft^(R) Visual C++.

   PERSONA can also be employed as a commercial-use terminal utilizing Hitachi's system integrative sales capabilities.

* Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by Microsoft Corporation of the USA in the United States and other countries.
* Other company and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.

Equipment and functional specifications HPW-200JC

• CPU

Hitachi SuperH SH-3 (100MHz) RISC processor

• OS

Microsoft^(R) Windows^(R) CE 2.0 Japanese-language Version

• Office

Microsoft^(R) Pocket Word, Microsoft^(R) Pocket Excel, Microsoft^(R) Pocket PowerPointR

• PIM

Microsoft^(R) Pocket Outlook (Inbox, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks )

• Communications

Microsoft^(R) Pocket Internet Explorer, ActiveSync?, Windows^(R) CE Services

Terminal, Remote Networking

• Accessories

World Clock, Calculator, Microsoft^(R) Voice Recorder

• Game

Solitaire

• Bonus software bundled

Communications: NIFTY Tsushin for Windows^(R) CE, 10-Yen Mail Master for CE Version, Flashnavi for Windows^(R) CE, MojiMail EX for CE, Shinnosuke for CE

PIM: Tegaki Memo, Jiten (English-Japanese/Japanese-English/Japanese Language), Piemento , Epical Version1.5,Epils Version 1.5 with SuperEditorCE, Screen Capture, File View, Mapfan III CE for Windows^(R) 95/CE preview version, Ekiraku Gokuraku Tokyo Chikatetsu Version for Windows^(R) CE, Digital Jikokuhyo & Keiro Kensaku Soft Haipa-Daiya for Windows^(R) CE (a plan), Norikae Annai Jikokuhyo Taio Version for Windows^(R) CE, EASY LINK for H/PC

Games: Word Match, SLOT!

• Display

8.1-inch color STN liquid crystal

640x240 dots 256 colors

• Memory (RAM)

16MB (expandable to 48MB)

• Built-in fax-modem

Data: 33.6kbps Fax: 14.4kbps

• PDC/PHS (PIAFS) interface

PDC: 9.6kbps, PHS (PIAFS): 32kbps

• External I/O

Serial port (RS-232C w/VGA output capability)

IrDA

One PC Card slot (Type-II)

One CompactFlash? slot

One microphone

One speaker

One RAM expansion connector

• Power supply

Rechargeable lithium ion battery, AC adapter (Input:100-240W)

• Keyboard

79-key full keyboard (16.5mm key pitch, 2.5mm key stroke)

• Dimensions

253mm (W) x 131mm (D) x 32mm (H)

• Weight

Approx. 820g (including lithium ion battery)

Notes:
* PERSONA is a product name of Hitachi, Ltd. in Japan.
* Microsoft, ActiveSync, PowerPoint, Outlook and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by Microsoft Corporation of the USA in the United States and other countries.
* SuperH is a trademark of Hitachi, Ltd.
* Groupmax and Groupmail are product names of Hitachi, Ltd. in Japan.
* CompactFlash is a registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation of the USA.
* Other company names and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.

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