Best Buy Introduces Next Class™ Exclusive Laptop Computer Line

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) has introduced the second in its continuing series of customized laptops designed directly from customer insight. New Next Class™ personal laptops were created specifically to meet the everyday needs of college students. The four-unit line was manufactured in partnership with HP, Toshiba, Sony, & Dell, and is available exclusively at Best Buy stores nationwide and online at www.bestbuy.com now through fall.

“With college students, we learned that while they notice a laptop’s appearance first, the design, portability and functionality are just as important. These students definitely taught us a few things and reinforced we are focusing on the things that matter the most to them.”

To inform their thinking around the ideal laptop, the Best Buy computing team worked with students to identify most desirable features, and six characteristics emerged as key: Extended battery life; low weight and portable design for easy transport; personalized design, yet professional; full virus protection; preloaded with necessary software (specifically a full version of Office Home and Student); and an affordable price point. The Best Buy team then took this input to a select group of PC manufacturers to help them deliver a new line that would meet the students’ expectations.

“Best Buy is in a unique position to listen, learn and apply what we hear from people as they interact with technology,” said Kelley Noreen, senior merchant computing. “With college students, we learned that while they notice a laptop’s appearance first, the design, portability and functionality are just as important. These students definitely taught us a few things and reinforced we are focusing on the things that matter the most to them.”

Unique Features of the Next Class PC Laptops
Whether for typing notes, researching term papers or updating social networking sites, Next Class laptops offer a combination of features to deliver the performance today’s college students look for:

Extended battery life- up to 3-6 hours of battery life to keep you powered through the entire lecture on microeconomics on a single charge
Portable design that’s personalized and professional- weighing between 5-6 pounds, the laptops pack the power college students need while still being easily transportable and stylish. The 14-15.5” screen size offers the convenience of a larger screen, while still being portable.
Out-of-the-box ready- each laptop comes preloaded with a full version of Microsoft Office Home & Student and 12-15 months of anti-virus protection
Affordable price points- priced between $649.99 to $799.99, Next Class laptops have the features and specs college students need so they get the biggest bang for their buck.

Best Buy launched its first line of consumer-inspired laptops, the Blue Label™ series, in October 2008. The Next Class line is the second series of computing products designed directly from consumer feedback and exclusive to Best Buy. More information about Next Class computers is available on the web at www.bestbuy.com/nextclass.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Mexico, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $45 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy; Audiovisions; The Carphone Warehouse; Future Shop; Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star; Magnolia Audio Video; Napster; Pacific Sales; The Phone House; and Speakeasy. Approximately 155,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in its communities. Community partnership is central to the way business is done at Best Buy. In fiscal 2009, Best Buy donated a combined $33.4 million to improve the vitality of the communities where its employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com.