Hitachi, Ltd.(NYSE:HIT) today announced that on January 27 the company will release 
a new lineup of corporate notebook PCs for the Japanese market, the FLORA 200 series. 
 The new models include the 220CX which complies with PC99 System Design Guide 
(PC99)*1, a standard designed to enable legacy-free computing with next-generation PCs. 
 The 220CX has a slim, B5-sized unit with an internal CD-ROM that is the industry's 
smallest and lightest*2 sub-notebook PC.  The 220MP is a multipositional PC equipped 
with pen input as well as a keyboard.  The custom-made 220 series are available in some 
7,000 variations of the four basic models.
The use of PCs in the business field is rapidly spreading and diversifying as an 
indispensable tool for communications and for raising productivity.  Particularly popular 
are notebook PCs, which can fulfill multiple roles.  In the office a notebook PC can be 
hooked up to a high-speed LAN and used as a desktop machine, on the road it can be 
used to communicate and write reports, and it can be used for presentations.  Thus, there 
is a need for notebook PCs that offer increased mobility and an improved price-
performance that rivals that of a desktop PC.

In response to these market needs, Hitachi is introducing these new PCs.  In 
addition to the 220CX and 220MP, there are the A4-sized high-end FLORA 270EX 
notebook PC, which offers a price-performance on a par with that of a desktop PC, and 
the FLORA 270VX, a standard notebook that also offers enhanced price-performance. 
 Hitachi is also reducing prices on existing FLORA 220 models by up to 10%.
The 220CX, 270EX and 270VX use the latest Intel(R) Mobile Pentium(R) II or 
IntelR Mobile Celeron(TM) power-saving CPUs (announced today by Intel) designed for 
notebook PCs.

New FLORA models
All models are custom-made, so the table only lists some recommended configurations.

*1:  Choice of 100 BASE-TX/10 BASE-T LAN, V.90/K56 flex modem, or no communications function.
Revised pricing
All models are custom-made, so the table only lists some recommended configurations.

*2:	 Choice of 100 BASE-TX/10 BASE-T LAN, V.90/K56 flex modem, or no communications function.  (LAN only for NT 4.0 model.)

Main features
1.	The FLORA 220CX sub-notebook PC with internal CD-ROM
        Despite including an internal CD-ROM, this is the industry's smallest and lightest 
sub-notebook, measuring 257 mm wide by 214 mm deep and 29 mm high, and weighing 
approximately 1.5 kg.
- With Intel's latest Mobile Pentium(R) II processor running at 300PE MHz, or Intel's 
  Mobile Celeron processor running at 266 MHz, a 10.4-inch color TFT (800 by 
  600 dots), a maximum of 256 megabytes of memory, a 6.4 GB/4.3 GB hard disk, 
  and x24-speed CD-ROM.
- The LCD can be opened 180 degrees and flipped over into a Personal Presentation 
  Mode.  Has a pointing pad that can be operated in conjunction with the screen 
  display.
- A multipurpose bay can take a CD-ROM drive or another battery.  Capable of 
  continuous operation for up to about 2 hours on a standard battery, and up to 
  about 7 hours (with power management enabled) with the optional large-capacity 
  battery and second battery in the multipurpose bay.
- Has a special e-mail LED that, when used with e-mail software, flashes to indicate 
  the user has e-mail.
- Custom-made configuration options include CPU, memory, HDD, 
  communications function (LAN or modem), applications, and more.  Is the first 
  notebook PC to use a Mini PCI*3 daughter card for the LAN and modem 
  connection.
- The scratch- and shock-resistant case is of magnesium alloy and carbon-fiber 
  processed to resist mildew and fungus.  The palm rest is rubber-coated for 
  enhanced tactility.

2.	The multipositional FLORA 220MP
        On the road can be used with pen input, and in the office can be used as a desktop 
PC, using the keyboard and mouse.
- Employs TEMOLIB-tega--ru, Japan's most advanced handwriting recognition 
  software.
- Notwithstanding the compact B5-sized form factor, has a clear, crisp 10.4-inch 
  TFT display able to display at a resolution of 800 by 600 dots in 260,000 colors. 
  Comes with a MMX(R) Pentium(R) processor (266 MHz), up to 160-megabytes of 
  memory and a 4.3-gigabyte HDD.
- To protect the display, the LCD cover hinges back to form a stand, instantly 
  transforming it into a desktop PC with a space-saving liquid-crystal display.
- Capable of continuous operation for up to about 2.5 hours on a standard battery, 
  and up to about 5 hours (with power management enabled) with the optional 
  large-capacity battery.
- Custom-made configuration options include memory, communications function 
  (LAN or modem), keyboard, mouse, and pointing device (pen or touch input*4 
  tablet).

3. The high-end FLORA 270EX
- Intel's latest Mobile Pentium(R) II processor (366/333/300PE/266PE MHz), up to 
  256 megabytes of memory, 6.4- or 4.3-gigabyte HDD, maximum x20-speed CD-
  ROM, and built-in 100 BASE-TX LAN all add up to a high-end performance 
  rivalling that of a desktop PC.
- 14.1- or 13.3-inch color TFT (1,024 by 768 dots).  Video subsystem is ATI's 3D 
  Rage(TM) LT Pro (VRAM: 4-megabytes of SGRAM).
- The CD-ROM and floppy-disk drive are integrated into a single module.  Two 
  bays allow a CD-ROM, floppy-disk drive or battery to be housed as well as the 
  HDD.
- A mouse with a scrolling thumbwheel is standard.
- The scratch- and shock-resistant reinforced fiber case is processed to resist mildew 
  and fungus.
- Custom-made configuration options include CPU, memory, HDD, operating 
  system, and applications.  Choosing Windows NT(R) Workstation 4.0 as the 
  operating system makes the 270EX Windows(R) 2000 ready.

4.	The FLORA 270VX standard notebook PC
- The FLORA 270VX offers a high level of price-performance, coming equipped 
  with the latest Mobile Intel(R) CeleronTM processor (300/266 MHz), up to 128-
  megabytes of memory, a 13.3-inch (1,024 by 768 dots) or 12.1-inch (800 by 
  600 dots) color TFT LCD, a 4.3-gigabyte HDD, maximum x24-speed CD-
  ROM, and built-in 100 BASE-TX LAN.
- Custom-made configuration options include CPU, memory, operating system, 
  and applications.  Choosing Windows NT(R) Workstation 4.0 as the operating 
  system makes the 270VX Windows(R) 2000 ready.

Notes:
*1:	Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corporation proposed PC99 System Design Guide as a standard for 
        the next generation of PCs.  To eliminate the bottleneck that older interfaces impose on 
        improvements to system performance, PC99 computers will not include legacy standard compatibility 
        with reference to serial and parallel interfaces and (is / are) devices, etc.
*2:	As of January 25, 1999.
*3:	A standard specification for daughter cards incorporated in products where compactness is a priority, 
        such as notebook PCs, docking stations, printers and the like, recommended by vendors including 
        3Com and Xircom.
*4:	Touch-tablets are made to order.

Trademarks:
MMX and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporaion.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT and Outlook are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft 
Corporations in the U.S. and other countries.
K56flex is a trademark of Lucent Technologies and Rockwell International.
Other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Abbreviations:
The full name of Windows(R) 98 is Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 98.
The full name of Windows(R) 95 is Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 95.
The full name of Windows NT(R) Workstation 4.0 is Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) Workstation Operating 
System Version 4.0.
Win98= Windows(R) 98
Win95= Windows(R) 95
NT4.0= Windows NT(R) Workstation 4.0
Pentium = Pentium(R) processor
MMX Pentium = MMX(R) Pentium(R) processor
Celeron = Intel(R) Celeron(TM) processor