National Semiconductor's Geode Processor Technology Helps Enable Innovative Print Appliance From HP

First-of-its-Kind Print Appliance is a Key Enabler to Printing E-Services

Santa Clara, CA -- 4/19/2000 -- National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) today announced that its Geode™ processor technology is enabling Hewlett-Packard Company's new information appliance, the HP JetDirect 4000 print appliance. Announced today, the HP JetDirect 4000 is the first product in a new category of network appliances designed to provide customers with dedicated printing solutions.

"We've had great success working with National as a key enabler for various silicon solutions. Its commitment toward helping us achieve our mission-critical business needs is unquestionable," said David Blakeney, HP marketing section manager Internet Imaging and Printing Systems division. "As the leading enabler of silicon solutions for the information appliance market, National is well suited for high-performance embedded Internet appliance products."

National's integrated Geode GXm processor, with on-chip graphics, memory control and PCI interface, creates an optimal solution that utilizes high performance while maintaining the low power that is ideal for this newly developed print appliance market. In addition to the Geode GXm, the HP JetDirect 4000 also includes the Geode companion chip, Super I/O, and a host of industry leading analog parts also from National.

"National is very excited to see this new innovative print appliance category that HP has created with their HP JetDirect 4000. Our ongoing vision of easy Internet access is only enhanced by this new category," said Mike Polacek, Vice President of National's Information Appliance Division. "We are pleased our Geode processor technology can help enable Internet access anytime, anywhere."

The architecture of the HP JetDirect 4000 will be the basis for leveraging the power of the Internet for images, enabling Internet-speed printing and a variety of Internet-class services.

The print appliance provides IT managers with a simple way to install and manage remote and distributed print queues through browser-based management. The appliance's innovative file-server-independent printing design enhances the printing experience at a fraction of the cost. The HP JetDirect 4000 print appliance supports Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT client running on TCP/IP networks.

About National
National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of the-art digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the personal computer, communications, and consumer markets. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 10,500 employees worldwide.