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vpr Matrix Debuts Industry's First Wide-screen Wintel Notebook
Newest vpr Matrix from Best Buy also Features Advanced Audio Technology for Multimedia Enthusiasts
MINNEAPOLIS, October 22, 2002 - Best Buy is expanding its vpr Matrix computer line with a wide-screen, audio-enhanced notebook designed by Porsche Design GmbH, the Austrian firm founded by F.A. Porsche, grandson of the legendary engineer. The vpr Matrix 200A5 made its first public appearance on Thursday, Oct. 17, during a special event at the Porsche Design Boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills attended by F.A. Porsche himself and entertainment luminaries including Anthony Edwards and Herbie Hancock.
Designed with multimedia enthusiasts in mind, the 200A5 is the first-ever Wintel notebook to feature a 15.2-inch LCD display with a wide-aspect ratio. It also includes 24/192 digitally upsampled sound, a technology previously available only on the highest-end audio equipment.
"This notebook has the distinctive angular look created by Porsche Design for the vpr Matrix line, but its beauty is more than just skin deep," said Steven Lee, Best Buy's vice president of strategic development. "As with our desktop models, we've worked hard to deliver the newest possible technologies to our customers and have paid attention to even the smallest details. The result is a notebook that will satisfy even the most demanding audio and videophiles."
This wide-aspect screen ratio, with a 1280x854 native resolution, gives users an ideal system for entertainment applications such as viewing full-length DVD movies. The Sonopür™ Digital Audio system, with its patent-pending 24/192 processing circuitry, dramatically enhances all digital music sources and offers rich, audiophile-grade sound that can deliver a home audio entertainment experience through external speakers and high-end headphones. This technology is packaged in a lightweight magnesium case that makes the 200A5 a serious home theater system on the road.
Starting the week of October 21st the notebook will be available exclusively at Best Buy stores, online at BestBuy.com and at Porsche Design Boutiques in the U.S., which are located in Beverly Hills, Orange County, and Aspen, Colorado. It will sell for approximately $2,299, and will take its place alongside two other vpr Matrix notebooks currently available at Best Buy-the 170B4 and the 180B5.
In addition to its first-ever features that make it an exceptional notebook for audio and video applications, the new 200A5 also includes:
- A display powered by nVidia's GeForce4 420 Go graphics processor that delivers high performance 3D graphics and video playback for an unprecedented visual experience on a mobile platform.
- A 2.0 GHz Pentium 4-M mobile processor, 512MB of DDR-SDRAM, and a 40GB hard drive.
- 2 integrated USB 2.0 and 2 IEEE 1394 (FireWire®) ports.
- Integrated 802.11b wireless networking capability.
- A slot-load, combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, and lets you play audio when the system is off.
- Preloaded with Microsoft™ Windows™ XP Home and Microsoft Works™ 6.0.
Professor F.A. Porsche, founder of Porsche Design, says the partnership with vpr Matrix, a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy, has been important in bringing to the market the most advanced technology tools for today's digital lifestyle in a way that combines advanced features with stylish and functional aesthetics.
"In our partnership with vpr Matrix, we have found a deep understanding of what we think is good design: Improving the quality of life by balancing function and form, reason and fantasy," Porsche said. "We understand culture as an evolutionary process, moving in new directions while keeping tradition in proper perspective. We want to fulfill the needs of a new digital world, but also want to focus on what is essential to create a simplicity that we believe is the key for a new digital lifestyle. The vpr Matrix computers have allowed us to achieve this."
The vpr Matrix line - vpr for value, performance and reliability - was created specifically to address the needs of Best Buy's sophisticated computer customers seeking high quality PC solutions. After consulting with its customers and retail employees, Best Buy set out to deliver an option for better connecting Best Buy customers to the "digital lifestyle."
About Best Buy stores
Best Buy stores, owned and operated by Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co., Inc., is the top U.S. retailer of technology and entertainment products and services. Best Buy was founded in St. Paul, Minn. in 1966. Best Buy Stores reach an estimated 300 million consumers per year through more than 500 retail stores in 48 states and online at BestBuy.com. For more information about Best Buy, visit the virtual pressroom at http://onlinepressroom.net/bestbuy.
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Contacts:
Lisa Hawks
Best Buy Co., Inc.
(952) 947-2450
lisa.hawks@bestbuy.com
Tim Westermeyer
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
(952) 346-6347
twestermeyer@webershandwick.com
David Boxum
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
(952) 346-6147
dboxum@webershandwick.com
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