Press Release

ADAPTEC ULTRA160 SCSI CONTROLLER WINS "ULTIMATE PC" AWARD FROM CRN FOR TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE

Adaptec's SCSI Card Innovation, Functionality, Compatibility and Reliability Recognized for Ninth Time by Leading Channel Magazine

MILPITAS, Calif., May 6, 2002 - Adaptec, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADPT), the global leader in data storage access solutions, today was recognized for technology excellence at the Tech Builder XChange conference in Coronado, California, as its Adaptec SCSI Card 29160N powered storage operations for Computer Reseller News' "The Ultimate PC." The state-of-the-art personal computer is assembled from the most innovative products available to the channel and demonstrated on-stage at the conference.

The award marks the ninth time in the four years that CRN has built the "Ultimate PC" using an Adaptec SCSI controller and recognized Adaptec technology with the award of the same name for excellence in innovation, functionality, performance and reliability. The recognition also comes on the heels of Adaptec's shipment of its millionth Ultra160 SCSI adapter to the channel.

"The Test Center has found Adaptec products are readily supported, super performers, and reliable," said John Yacono, CRN's lab director. "We've included Adaptec SCSI technology in numerous high-stress systems down through the years without the slightest difficulty or regret, and at the end of the day that's what the systems builders in our audience care about: trouble-free operation."

"It is indeed an honor that the Adaptec SCSI Card 29160N has again been recognized by the leading source of channel business and product information," said Linus Wong, director of I/O marketing of Adaptec's Storage Solutions Group. "The Ultra160 SCSI controller continues to be a workhorse for entry- to mid-range servers as it provides incomparable performance, reliability and compatibility. It is these product qualities and our 20 years' experience in technology innovations and transitions that are the foundation for the trust resellers place in Adaptec to provide them with robust solutions that reduce design risk and speed time to market."

The Adaptec SCSI Card 29160N features broad operating support for small multi-user workgroup servers and users of powerful workstations needing to attach external legacy SCSI devices, and Adaptec's SpeedFlex™ technology to ensure top performance of all connected devices, regardless of SCSI generation. The high-performance 32-bit PCI card is best suited to high-performance Ultra160 SCSI internal hard drives and popular external narrow SCSI devices.

For more information about Adaptec's Ultra160 and Ultra320 SCSI and RAID products, visit www.adaptec.com.

About CRN and the CRN Test Center
CRN is the nation's leading trade newsweekly that provides timely industry news and analysis for solution providers, integrators and e-businesses building technology solutions. It is the most trusted source of news for 117,500 channel professionals. A media leader in the high-tech industry, CRN provides the most comprehensive suite of online resources: https://www.crn.com, the site where industry news breaks first; CRN Direct, a daily newsletter that brings personalized news to solution providers' desktops; and CRN News Radio, a daily news broadcast covering the solution provider channel and the industry.

The CRN Test Center is the technology-evaluation department of CRN, providing unbiased product, technology and channel-program analysis specifically targeted at solution providers. The CRN Test Center produces single-product reviews, technology news, technology demonstrations at tradeshows, and product roundups featuring channel-program evaluations. Top products receive the coveted "Editor's Choice" or "Recommended" designations.

About Adaptec
Adaptec Inc. (NASDAQ: ADPT) provides highly available storage access solutions that reliably move, manage and protect critical data and digital content. Adaptec's storage solutions are found in high-performance networks, servers, workstations and desktops from the world's leading manufacturers, and are sold through OEMs and distribution channels to ISPs, enterprises, medium and small businesses and consumers. Adaptec is an S&P SmallCap 600 Index member. More information is available at www.adaptec.com.

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