IBM Corp. is adding to its NetVista family with a new line of business desktops. The new NetVista A Series machines, designed to easily attach to a network at a medium-sized or large business, are available now and feature Intel Corp.’s 815E chipset. Graphics, sound and networking capabilities are included with the 815E chipset, said IBM. The A40 desktop model comes with a Pentium III processor with clock speeds ranging from 667MHz to 933MHz. It also includes a 133MHz front-side bus, 128 or 64M bytes of SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory), integrated AGP (accelerated graphics port) graphics, a hard drive ranging in size from 10G bytes to 30G bytes and a variety of CD-ROM model possibilities. Security is bolstered with the NetVista A40p. Six advanced security features are included, such as a system keylock that physically secures the system’s contents and a security switch that alerts the administrator when the system cover is removed. Both the A40 and A40p come in two sizes – a standard desktop with four slots and four bays, measuring 17 inches by 17 inches by 5.5 inches or a sleeker desktop with two slots and three bays that measures 14 inches by 15 inches by 3.4 inches. Either size features five ports – two serial, one parallel and two USB (universal serial bus). The NetVista A20 includes either an Intel Celeron processor with speeds between 533MHz and 600MHz or an Intel Pentium III with speeds ranging from 667MHz to 733 MHz. In contrast to the two other A Series models, the A20 comes with the Intel 810E chipset. The machine measures 17 inches by 17 inches by 5.5 inches. The A20 desktop starts at US$711, the A40p at $1,352 and the A40 at $1,248. IBM is in Armonk, N.Y., and can be reached www.ibm.com/.
Prices listed are in US currency.