National Semiconductor's Geode Technology Powers New "Smart Display" From BenQ Corporation

At CES, BenQ Joins Numerous National Semiconductor Partners Bringing Smart Displays to Market; Future Devices From Others in Development

CES, Las Vegas -- 1/7/2003 -- National Semiconductor (NYSE:NSM), a Microsoft Smart Display Technology Partner, will showcase a new Smart Display device from BenQ Corporation at the Consumer Electronics Show. Using Windows software technology developed by Microsoft, BenQ's Smart Display is built on National's Geode? Smart Display reference design, which utilizes an abundance of National Semiconductor's analog and processing technology. Based in Taiwan, BenQ is the second largest LCD monitor manufacturer worldwide and an industry leader in digital lifestyle devices.

"National Semiconductor's best-in-class Geode reference design is the preferred platform for PC and consumer manufacturers that are developing user-friendly Smart Display devices for this new market," said Michael Polacek, vice president of National's Information Appliance Division. "Smart Displays from BenQ and a host of other National partners, including Samsung, NEC, LG, FIC and Tatung, enable people to access their PC resources and applications, such as chat, email, Web browsing, pictures and home finances, from anywhere in their home."

Smart Displays --- wireless touch-screen monitors --- are designed to extend the Windows XP experience from a single, tethered PC to any room in the home.

The BenQ Smart Display, available in the summer of this year, is a thin and light 15-inch primary detachable LCD monitor with 1024 x 768 XGA resolution. "By incorporating National Semiconductor's Geode processor, the BenQ Smart Display is capable of producing the highest performance without compromising power," said Ralph Tang, president of BenQ America Corp. "BenQ's Smart Display will give users incredible freedom to access information quickly and easily."

"Smart Displays offer consumers instant access to their unique Windows XP experience in any room in the home, at any time," said Keith White, senior director of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. "National Semiconductor's reference design and Geode processor will help OEMs quickly and easily deliver innovative Smart Displays to market, ushering in a new paradigm for relaxed and convenient computing in the home."

Efforts are already underway to develop next generation Smart Display devices. The National reference design is evolving to enable new features and lower-cost implementations. Consumers can expect to see new products over the course of this year from National partners such as LG, FIC and Tatung.

"Tatung's long-term partnership with National Semiconductor has helped us win initial customers with mass production beginning early this month," said Wen K. Lin, Executive Vice President, Global 3C Business Unit at Tatung. "National's Geode processor has a very high level of integration that has contributed to a high-performance, cost-reduced Smart Display product. Our continued progress with National will put us at the forefront of driving Smart Displays to the consumer mainstream with upcoming next generation products."

About National's Smart Displays Reference Design
National Semiconductor's Smart Display reference design incorporates the breadth of National's technology expertise, enabling the highest performance, lowest power Smart Displays. At the core is National's Geode processor, which in one chip incorporates the microprocessor, graphics and interfaces that can be used to drive a Smart Display device. The reference design also includes National's industry-leading power management, audio and display solutions. With a complete set of software, development platforms and reference schematics, the reference design provides a fast and low-risk path for device developers to quickly create their Smart Display products.

See National Geode Processor-Powered Smart Displays at CES
Along with the new device from BenQ, National Semiconductor will preview other innovative Smart Display products at CES from LG Electronics, NEC, Wyse and Tatung. These Geode processor-based products will be displayed at press and analyst events on Wednesday, January 8 and Thursday, January 9, and in National's meeting room (Room LN103, LVCC) throughout CES.

While at CES, editors are invited to interview National executives and attend National's Open House, which takes place Friday, January 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at National's meeting room. Room LN103 is located off the main concourse between the north and central halls. Contact Gayle Bullock at (408) 464-2516 for an appointment.

About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; displays; information infrastructure, and information appliances. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $1.5 billion for its most recent fiscal year and has about 10,000 employees worldwide.