Amongst a flurry of network computer announcements, Compaq Computer Corp has become the first company to ship a NetPC, based on the Windows-based specification drawn up by Microsoft Corp and Intel Corp. Compaq’s machine is called the DeskPro 4000N, and enters a market that has yet to get off the ground. IBM Corp recently decided to pull its NetPC efforts and concentrate on regular PCs and Network Computers (CI No 3,242) while recent rumors have it that Digital Equipment Corp is thinking of doing the same. Compaq’s offering, which in compliance with the specification contains software to enable it to be managed centrally, costs from $1,150. Meanwhile, Mac cloner Umax Data Systems Inc said it would ship a new range of Intel-based Network Computers next month with a $700 price tag, while fellow Taiwanese company Accton says its Intel-based NC, the NC2502 LanStation-Pro will also be announced this week. Accton Technology Corp claims to have the only Network Computer to support Fast Ethernet, and says it will be ready to ship them next month.
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