Hewlett Packard´s new Tablet PC

2002-11-18

Palo Alto, California – November 18, 2002 – Southwall Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: SWTX) and BERLINER GLAS, Berlin, Germany, revealed today that the new Compaq 1000 Tablet PC’s LCD display benefits from a high performance film to glass laminate produced by the partner companies.
Combining Southwall’s anti-reflective film with Berliner Glas’ anti-glare technical glass neutralizes unwanted reflected light and provides a smooth, strong writing surface.
Both essential needs for Tablet PC users.

The Compaq 1000 is a fully functional PC in a slate like design where the user writes on the display to take notes or access files. The unit can be used flat on a desk like a pad of paper, or held at an angle. Southwall’s sputter coated thin film ARC2 product provides high visible transmission to maintain optical clarity, yet dramatically reduces reflected ambient light, significantly improving the viewing experience for LCD users.

The glass finished by BERLINER GLAS is etched in order to avoid reflection and to guarantee clear, true colors. The glass can be etched single or double sided in a thickness of 1mm – 6 mm with various levels of surface roughness and gloss values.
Additionally, the panel is chemically strengthened and laminated with Southwall’s anti-reflective film. Finally the silk screen printing to provides functional support and accentuate the design of the Tablet PC.

"The Southwall anti-reflective film allows us to achieve the critical optical and mechanical performance demands for the Compaq Tablet PC display glass”, stated Jörg Bannicke, Vice President of Berliner Glas.
“Laminating the Southwall Technologies film to our glass easily integrates into our manufacturing process."

“The ARC2 high performance anti-reflective film enhances the Berliner Glas anti-glare glass providing the optimum surface characteristics for the new Compaq 1000 Tablet PC, “ said Tom Hood, CEO, Southwall Technologies. “This application is complimentary with other high performance films we have employed in electronic displays to reduce reflection. We are pleased to be partnering with Berliner Glas.”

According to several industry sources, Tablet PC unit volumes will reach between 7 million and 30 million in next few years, depending on the rate of early adoption. All sources agree that Tablet PC will eventually become a mainstream product making up a significant portion of overall PC sales.

About Southwall Technologies Inc. Southwall Technologies (www.southwall.com) designs and produces technologically advanced thin film coatings that selectively absorb, reflect or transmit electromagnetic radiation. Southwall products are used in a number of architectural, automotive and electronic products to enhance optical and thermal performance characteristics, improve user comfort and reduce energy costs. Southwall exports advanced thin film coatings to over 25 countries around the world for use in products manufactured by such companies as Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Renault, Peugeot-Citroën, Volvo, Saint-Gobain Sekurit, Pilkington, and Mitsubishi Electric.

About BERLINER GLAS BERLINER GLAS offers display panels made of glass or plastics with various functional features like single or double-sided optical or chemical anti-reflection layers, lamination with coated films, mesh films to avoid electromagnetic radiation (EMC), PVB films and silk screen printing with 2-component, UV or frit-ink colors. Furthermore, BERLINER GLAS offers a wide range of options for glass refinement. These panels constitute an important component for all applications in which making information visible is involved.
BERLINER GLAS supplies precision optics and technical glass to top suppliers in the strategic market segments of information technology and communications, industrial sensors, the semiconductor industry, as well as medical technology and biotechnology, and offers solutions for all areas of industry making use of light.
The BERLINER GLAS Group employs around 630 people today in Germany, Switzerland and the USA.

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