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AST in subnotebook area

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AMERICAN computer maker AST yesterday finally entered the subnotebook market with the launch of the Ascentia 500S, the smallest member of its latest series of portable computers.

The company is positioning itself to compete directly with subnotebooks launched earlier this year by Compaq Computer, Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba.

''To be very honest, a lot of people thought we were late to the market, but based on the lack of business Compaq and Toshiba have had with their products, I think we were very wise in holding back,'' Bret Verg, AST's brand manager for mobile computing products, said.

''We have designed a product overcoming the negative features Compaq and Toshiba had.'' These negatives included small screens and keyboards, and in the case of HP's OmniBook line, a particularly poor screen, Mr Verg said.

The Ascentia 500S - powered by a 486SX 33-megahertz microprocessor - features a 9.5-inch colour liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and a keyboard that is no smaller than that of the Ascentia 800N, a larger member of the same family.

''We also offer two PCMCIA [Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association] slots while the competition only offers one,'' Mr Verg said.

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