Compaq Computer Corp has launched a personal computer-and-television combination, the CDTV 528, as reported briefly (CI No 2,637), in response to the growing belief that the television and computer will one day become the same thing. It also has eight new models of its Presario multimedia personal computer. The CDTV is a 66MHz 80486DX2 with 8Mb memory and a 16-bit SoundBlaster compatible on-board ESS 688 sound chip set. The television board, Compaq TV Studio, was a joint development between Compaq and Philips Electronics NV. Apart from CDTV, there are three new models in the Presario 500 range, beginning with the CDS 522, a 66MHz 80486SX2 with 4Mb memory and 270Mb hard disk. The top end machine is a 75MHz Pentium minitower with 8Mb memory and 786Mb hard disk. Prices begin at ú1,300. Compaq continues to describe its 80586 computers as Pentium-class, rather than simply ‘Pentium’, as a new stage in its long-running battle against Intel’s dominance of the microprocessor market. Earlier this year, Compaq signed NexGen Corp as its third microprocessor supplier after Intel and Advanced Micro Devices. Sue Forkin, consumer product marketing manager for Compaq UK, said that it could be as much as 12 months before Compaq secures volume shipments from NexGen to build true Pentium-class Presarios around the Nx586. Compaq has been running against Intel’s microchip dominance with its own campaign, if it’s Compaq on the outside, it doesn’t matter what’s on the inside. It currently spends $80m a year on Advanced Micro Devices Inc’s Am486. Forkin admitted a similar deal with Cyrix Corp is possible.
