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Penguin Computing Inc., the leader in world-class Linux hardware, software, and service, announced today the immediate availability of its Linux desktop system -- the Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4-based Niveus 1X.

Anchored by the Intel(R) 845E Chipset, the Niveus 1X leverages a fast 533MHz front side bus (when purchased with processors from 2.4GHz up to 3.0GHz) with up to 2GB of open-standard PC2100 DDR RAM. Five open PCI slots provide plenty of expansion flexibility, and the AGP 4x graphics card slot accommodates a wide variety of video cards for advanced graphic performance. A single 10/100 Ethernet port is included to provide connectivity and additional PCI based network interfaces are available for additional connections and faster speeds.

In addition to top-notch performance features, a critical goal in the design of the Niveus 1X is to maximize the price/performance ratio. The Niveus is available starting at around $700.00 for the most basic configuration. A typical system, with a 2.4GHz Pentium(R) 4 processor running at 533MHz Front Side Bus, 256GB of PC2100 DDR Ram, an 80GB IDE hard drive, an 8X DVD-Rom, a 10/100 NIC, plus a 17" CRT Monitor, keyboard and mouse, is only $1249.00. Even more sophisticated configurations are available with upgrades to all aspects of the system.

The Niveus 1X desktop is not a traditional product for Penguin Computing, which is known for its high performance servers and its series of advanced Linux workstations with best-of-class features --such as dual processors, SCSI RAID, and ultra-high end graphics cards. Yet, the Niveus 1X is designed to satisfy the large number of customer requests for an inexpensive single-task tower platform for use with an increasing volume of Linux application needs. In large numbers, customers as diverse as law firms, elementary schools, and Fortune 500 companies are migrating their Firewalls, VPNs, routers, and backup software systems to inexpensive Linux machines due to the decreased costs from a tower system running Linux. In addition, large numbers of third-party application providers require an inexpensive tower platform to bundle with their software for deployment to their customers. The Niveus 1X, preloaded with Linux and tailored to a customer's budget and needs is the ideal solution.

Penguin Computing also anticipates growth in the coming quarters for the low-cost Linux desktop platform in the workplace. Customers already have deployed large infrastructures of Linux-based servers realizing the vast decrease in total cost of ownership that Linux provides -- and the next logical step is the Linux desktop connected to that infrastructure. "Our customers are just at the cusp of this transition from expensive and complex licensing schemes, flawed security, and painstaking registration procedures to Linux-based workplace machines," said Sam Ockman, CEO of Penguin Computing. "Plus, the operating system and software suites are rapidly maturing and becoming more user-friendly for someone who has never touched a Linux machine. Therefore, we anticipate much greater Linux desktop penetration into the traditional workplace and with the Niveus 1X, Penguin Computing intends on being at the forefront of this transition."

Ordering information and complete technical specifications on the new Niveus 1X are available at www.penguincomputing.com. As with all Penguin Computing systems, the Niveus 1X is configurable on the website, specifically tailored to a customer's needs from component options to disk partition sizes. On the site, customers can also find details on Penguin Computing's award-winning customer and technical support, plus the variety of comprehensive support options available for the Niveus 1X. In addition, information is available on Penguin Computing's other customizable server and workstation products. Customers can also call 888/PENGUIN (736-4846) to discuss even more complex modification of their hardware, software and, service needs related to the Niveus 1X.
CONTACT: Penguin Computing

Cub Karabian, 415/358-2600

ckarabian@penguincomputing.com

For More Information: http://penguincomputing.com