Dell announces small, affordable 386SX-based PC at a breakthrough price

Business Wire

November 6, 1989

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dell Computer Corp. Monday announced the Dell System 316SX, a high-performance, small footprint 16MHz PC based on the Intel 80386SX microprocessor.

With this new offering, Dell has given its customers a full-featured 386SX PC that offers 386 performance at an exceptionally low price, starting at only $1,899 for a complete system.

``The System 316SX is a 386-class machine at a true 286 price,'' said Andrew R. Harris, senior vice president of marketing at Dell. ``Dell designed the system from the ground up to be the perfect low-profile business computer, combining 386 power and compatibility with Dell's unprecedented value and support.''

``I have been encouraging corporate users to buy 386 machines,'' said Steve Ballmer, senior vice president, Microsoft Corp. ``I'm glad to see Dell bring this system to market.''

The System 316SX is an important addition to Dell's full complement of industry standard microcomputers, and the second 386SX-based system in the company's product line.

A user purchasing this machine will acquire a highly integrated PC that runs current software 33 percent faster than a 12MHz 286 system while opening the door to the future of 32-bit software.

The System 316SX includes many of today's power-oriented computing features as standard equipment. A built-in 16-bit VGA controller gives the user access to high-resolution graphics. The 316SX accepts up to 8 MB of RAM directly on the motherboard (the system can use up to 16 MB). Its 16 MHz microprocessor is switchable to 8 MHz.

The System 316SX's form factor -- 15.1 inches wide by four inches high by 15.6 inches long -- represents the same dimensions as those of the popular Dell System 210. It features an ergonomically sound, low-profile design that minimizes the system footprint and makes attractive use of the limited area it occupies.

The system case has room for two accessible half-height disk drives and one internal hard disk. Factory installed choices include 5.25 inch floppy (1.2 MB or 360 KB), 3.5-inch floppy (1.44 MB), and one of four hard disk drive options: 20MB (40 ms access time), 40 MB (29 ms access time), 100 MB (25 ms access time) and 177 MB (15 ms access time). Tape drives (40 MB internal, 40 MB external and 150 MB internal) are available.

The System 316SX can also be purchased in a diskless version for use as a network workstation. A diskless 316SX with a VGA Monochrome monitor, an Ethernet network interface card and 640 KB of RAM is priced at $1,809.

The highly integrated motherboard includes controllers for the hard and floppy drives as well as one parallel and two serial ports and a socket for an 80387SX numeric coprocessor. This leaves three 16-bit expansion slots free for memory, modems, facsimile boards, LAN cards or other peripherals.

The System 316SX's 80386SX chip runs all personal computer industry standard operating systems, including MS-DOS, MS OS/2 and UNIX. And since it provides 32-bit software support, the System 316SX runs all current industry standard software as well as emerging 80386-specific applications.

The System 316SX is available in standard configurations and is aggressively priced to compete with 286-based PCs. For instance, a System 316SX with 512KB RAM, one floppy drive, a 20 MB hard disk and a BGA Monochrome monitor cost $1,899.

The System 316SX is supported by Dell's comprehensive service program, which includes toll-free assistance and next-day service for problems that cannot be solved over the phone.

Dell Computer Corp. designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports a complete line of industry standard personal computers. A publicly held company (traded as NASDAQ: DELL), it is recognized in independent surveys as having the highest customer-satisfaction level in the industry for its PCs.

Dell is located at 9505 Arboretum Blvd., Austin, TX 78759-7299; 800/426-5150, 512/338-4400.

Note to Editors: Dell System is a registered trademark of Dell Computer Corp. Intel is a registered trademark and 386 is a trademark of Intel Corp. MS and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.

CONTACT: Dell Computer Corp., Austin Brian K. Fawkes or Michele Moore, 512/338-4400 The Waggener Group Jill Pembroke or Anne Marie Locke, 503/245-0905