Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Reaffirms Earnings Per Share Guidance for the Fourth Quarter Updates Revenue Guidance VERNON HILLS, Ill. - December 11, 2002 - CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC - News), a leading provider of technology products and services to businesses and the public sector, today announced that the Company is reaffirming its earnings guidance of $0.50 to $0.52 per diluted share for the fourth quarter 2002, which would represent an increase of 6 to 10 percent compared with the prior year quarter. The Company is modifying its revenue guidance to $1.030 billion to $1.050 billion, which would represent an increase of 4 to 6 percent compared with the prior year quarter. "We continue to anticipate strong financial performance this quarter," chairman and chief executive John A. Edwardson said. "Market trends have been softer than we expected beginning in mid-November, so we are adjusting our revenue guidance. Gross margins continue to be healthy and we expect our earnings per share to be in line with our original guidance." This release contains statements that are forward-looking (that is, not historical in nature), including statements concerning the Company's projected sales and earnings per share. Such forward-looking statements are based on the Company's beliefs and expectations as of the date of this release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which may have a significant impact on the Company's business, operating results or financial condition. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein. The following risks and uncertainties, among others, may have an impact on the accuracy of forward-looking statements contained in this release: the continued acceptance of the Company's distribution channel by vendors and customers, the continuing development, maintenance and operation of our IT systems, the timely availability and acceptance of new products, continuation of key vendor relationships and support programs, changes and uncertainties in economic conditions that could affect the rate of IT spending by our customers, changes in pricing by our vendors, and the ability of the Company to hire and retain qualified account managers. Additional discussion regarding these and other factors affecting the Company's business and prospects is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 414 on the Fortune 500, is a leading provider of technology solutions for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions nationwide. CDW is a principal source of technology products and services including top name brands such as Cisco, Compaq, Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Toshiba. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services supplied directly by providers such as HP Services and Unisys and for training programs provided by firms such as KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International. CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs 2,800 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of nearly $4 billion in 2001. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with knowledgeable account managers; purchasing by telephone, fax, the company's award-winning www.cdw.com Web site or customized CDW@work™ extranets; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; flexible financing solutions; and pre- and post-sales technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. Additional information can be found by visiting www.cdw.com.