AST Launches a New PC Line to Its Advantage

Expanding its thrust into the retail market, AST Research Inc. on Wednesday launched a new line of personal computers for the office to be sold by retail super-stores.

The company said its Advantage! computer line will be expanded to include a family of more powerful models targeted to small businesses and home offices. Current models are designed for individual consumers.

The computers will be sold at the Circuit City consumer electronics chain and Computer City super-stores. Super-stores--large, warehouse-type stores that emphasize volume sales of low-priced goods to consumers--have become an increasingly popular way for PC makers to distribute their products.

AST started the Advantage! line in August, 1991, when it struck a deal with the Circuit City retail chain. The Office Advantage! models will be packaged with software commonly used by small businesses.

AST also introduced a briefcase-size notebook computer to be sold through the Circuit City and Computer City chains. The 7.3-pound NB-SX25 computer is the second AST notebook model available through the super-stores.