August 5, 1999 Web posted at: 4:00 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT) by James Niccolai

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SAN FRANCISCO (IDG) -- 3Com has released a special "clear case" edition of its popular Palm IIIe computer which it is selling to students at select universities in the U.S., company officials said.

While the translucent Palms won't initially be available to general consumers, it's likely that 3Com will release a similar product commercially if they prove popular among students, said Kristen Garrigus, a spokeswoman with 3Com's public relations agency.

Echoing Apple Computer's fruity iMacs, 3Com will also offer students an accessory pack that includes three translucent, colored flip covers in blue, lime and aqua, which snap onto the Palm IIIe.

The translucent Palm's are expected to be priced at $229, and the accessory pack at $12.95, 3Com said.

Students can buy them at bookstores at the 10 selected universities or through a higher education Web site launched today, officials said.

The company could not immediately provide a list of the universities.

James Niccolai is a U.S. correspondent for the IDG News Service in San Francisco.