ALSM Alphasmart (MM)

AlphaSmart Introduces Neo by AlphaSmart, a Simple, Portable, Low Cost Computer Companion Designed for One-to-One Classroom Computing Neo Features Long Battery Life and a Larger Screen and Twice the Memory of Its Predecessor, With a Low Total Cost of Ownership NEW ORLEANS, NECC and LOS GATOS, Calif., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- AlphaSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALSM), a provider of technology solutions for education, today announced Neo by AlphaSmart, the newest addition to its family of computer companions. Neo is an easy to use, lightweight, affordable learning device with a built-in LCD screen and full-sized keyboard. It delivers long battery life and, compared to its predecessor, the AlphaSmart 3000, has a 50% larger screen, new font technology and twice the memory. Neo joins AlphaSmart's existing platforms, the AlphaSmart 3000 and Palm OS-based Dana. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040621/SFM050 ) AlphaSmart also introduced new versions of AlphaSmart Manager classroom management software. This new software platform enables educators to manage up to 30 AlphaSmart 3000, Neo or Dana devices at one time. (See today's press release, "AlphaSmart Extends Classroom Management Capabilities for Neo, AlphaSmart 3000 and Dana Computer Companions.") "Neo was designed with students in mind," said Manish Kothari, president of AlphaSmart. "It's lightweight and rugged so it can endure the rigors of the classroom, campus, or field trips, and easy to use so students can spend more time writing and less time dealing with technology problems. For teachers and administrators who strive to achieve the goal of providing one computer for each student, or one-to-one computing, we believe that Neo offers a significantly lower total cost of ownership than other available computing options." Key Features -- A larger screen than its predecessor, the AlphaSmart 3000, allows applications to display from two to six lines of text, with larger fonts for young students and more text per screen to enhance the writing and editing process. -- Twice the memory of its predecessor which allows Neo to store more SmartApplets (compact software programs designed for Neo and the AlphaSmart 3000) and data. -- AlphaWord(TM) Plus, an enhanced word processing solution is included, featuring spell check, thesaurus, writer's tools, Spanish-English word lookup, and the ability to name and save files, with up to eight files open concurrently. -- Delivers more than 700 hours of battery life from three standard AA alkaline batteries, and 200 hours or more from a rechargeable battery pack. -- Two-pound, rugged device provides instant on/off and autosave, eliminating start-up delays or accidental file loss. -- Built-in industry-standard IrDA (infrared wireless) port enables documents to be instantly beamed between devices, or to IR-enabled printers. -- Operating system stores hundreds of pages of text while still having room for additional SmartApplets, extending Neo's functionality to include classroom quizzing, outlining, keyboarding instruction, file beaming and more. AlphaSmart's Neo computer companion, and its new classroom management solutions, will be on display at the National Education Computer Conference (NECC) in New Orleans, LA this week at Booth 2008. Pricing and Availability Neo by AlphaSmart's list price starts at $249, with education discount price starting at $229 and additional discounts for volume orders. A classroom set of 30, which includes everything necessary to manage, charge, store and transport the devices is available starting at $7950. In addition, the AlphaSmart 3000 IR now has a lower $199 education discount price with volume discounts available. To purchase, visit http://www.alphasmart.com/ , or call toll-free 888-274-0680. About AlphaSmart AlphaSmart, Inc. is a provider of technology solutions for the education market. AlphaSmart's portable computer-companion products are used by students in 8,000 U.S. school districts to enhance writing, keyboarding and comprehension. Based in Los Gatos, California, AlphaSmart was founded in 1992 by former Apple Computer engineers. This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize. Actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks are described in AlphaSmart's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with respect to the quarter ended March 31, 2004. AlphaSmart does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040621/SFM050 DATASOURCE: AlphaSmart, Inc. CONTACT: Carleen LeVasseur, AlphaSmart Public Relations, +1-408-264-6767, or Web site: http://www.alphasmart.com/

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