Eight Additional Hardware Companies Announce Support for Microsoft Windows for Pen Computing

July 16, 1991 — Eight additional hardware manufacturers have announced intentions to build pen computers or display products that will support Microsoft Windows environment for Pen Computing.

These manufacturers include: Zenith Data Systems; Dell Computer Corp.; AST Research; Olivetti; Tusk Inc.; Microslate Inc.; SuperScript Inc.; and Wacom Inc. Specific details on products and release dates will be announced later by each company.

These manufacturers join the list of 21 previously announced hardware manufacturers that will support Windows for Pens, bringing the total to 29 manufacturers.

”Availability of pen machines and applications will be the driving forces in building momentum for this industry,” said Jeff Raikes, vice president of office systems, Microsoft Corp. ”We are very pleased with the continued broad support for Windows for Pens and believe these companies will help ensure that there is a strong hardware platform for this new environment.”

Leading Hardware Manufacturers Announce Plans for Pen Machines

”Available next year, our pen-based systems will be optimized for the Microsoft Windows environment, just as our desktop and portable PCs are today,” said Enrico Pesatori, president and chief executive officer of Zenith Data Systems. ”Given our history as a leader in portable PC innovations, you can expect ZDS to extend its expertise in portable technology to pen computing.”

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dell Computer Corp.  Michael Dell said, ”We feel the emergence of pen-based computing will bring significant changes to personal computing. Pen-aware applications and the Microsoft operating environment should have strong market appeal. Dell is working closely with key market leaders to continue to bring innovative products to market which deliver real user benefits.”

Dell Computer Corp. is the premier vendor of personal computer systems in the direct marketing channel. The company has earned widespread recognition for its high-performance, ergonomically designed products and its industry-leading service and support program.

Olivetti is the leading European supplier for connectivity and computer systems, from mainframes to desktop and laptop computers, and was an early supporter of the graphical interface. Olivetti Office, the Olivetti company manufacturing powerful and price-competitive desktop computers, home computers and innovative laptops and notebooks, is committed to making pen computers available to its customers as early as possible. ”We will offer a full range of powerful, user-friendly pen computers, and they will run Windows for Pens,” said Ettore Morezzi, chief executive officer of Olivetti Office. ”We think Windows for Pens is one of the best operating systems for such technology.”

Tusk Inc., the newest entrant to the mobile computing market, is introducing the All Terrain SuperTABLET, the first ultra-ruggedized modular computer with full performance function in hand-held, laptop, or desktop computing situations. ”With the full computing power of the Tusk system housed in the roving unit, Windows for Pens is the only solution to give users immediate access to all their current programs when the keyboard is detached,” said Chuck Krallman, chief executive officer and co-founder of Tusk.

AST Research is a leading manufacturer of the upgradeable Premium and Bravo personal computers and Premium Exec notebook computer.  ”AST Research committed itself to the notebook market by designing and manufacturing our own upgradeable Premium Exec notebook computer,” said Safi Qureshey, AST Research president and chief executive officer.

”As an innovator in the industry, we recognize the importance of this new market opportunity. We are working with Microsoft, and are interested in supporting this technology in future products.”

Microslate, manufacturer of Pen ‘n Touch notebook computers, will license Windows for Pens for use with its keyboardless Datallite 300 PC. ”The number and variety of Windows-based applications already available is overwhelming,” said Bill Clough, president and founder of Microslate Inc. ”We are pleased that many of these applications, designed for everyone from mobile executives to field technicians, will run on our new Datallite 300 keyboardless PC.”

Peripheral Vendors Also Announce Windows Support

In addition to the personal computer manufacturers, two major peripheral vendors announced intentions to include Windows for Pens with their display products. Integrated displays and digitizer tablets are used with desktop computers, enabling users to use a pen with the same application on the desktop as on a notebook computer.

SuperScript Inc. systems are designed for application developers who need a powerful yet low-cost system on which to develop pen applications and users who need a pen computer in fixed locations such as offices, laboratories or factory cells. ”Application programs can be easy, even intuitive, for anyone to use, when written to take advantage of the natural pen-on-screen interface under Windows for Pens,” said Rick Bryan, SuperScript chief systems architect and co-founder.

”Wacom is pleased to be working with Microsoft in expanding the Windows for Pens environment,” said Richard D. Breen, vice president of product development. ”Our cordless pen technology is used in NCR’s first-to-market 3125 pen-based notepad and provides users a truly lightweight and natural-feeling stylus, one that doesn’t need batteries and doesn’t have to be wired to the computer. As such, it is the electronic pen of choice for use with what promises to be the most important type of computer yet developed.”

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