IBM Leads Industry in i486 Technology
Delivers First 486 SX Systems, Shows Future Upgradeability
White Plains, N.Y., April 23, 1991 -- Leading the industry in i486 technology, IBM today:
In addition, IBM enhanced existing members of the PS/2 Model 90 and Model 95 XP 486 families with more standard memory and larger hard files, and at the same time reduced prices by up to 13 percent on these systems.
The new PS/2 Model 90 XP 486 SX and the Model 95 XP 486 SX combine raw i486 computing power with the flexibility of the Micro Channel architecture, advanced storage capabilities and enhanced graphics, and package it all at an entry-level price.
The systems incorporate full 32-bit, 20 MHz processors that have 32-bit data paths, but do not have an integrated math co processor. As with other i486 processors, the new 486 SX chips also include an 8 kilobyte (K) internal cache. IBM offers the PS/2 Math Co-Processor 487 SX-20 MHz, also announced today, as an upgrade option for customers requiring this function.
"The flexible design of the PS/2 Model 90 and Model 95 enables IBM to deliver the latest i486 technology quickly to our customers. These systems can be easily upgraded from 20 MHz to 25 MHz, 33 MHz and even future i486 technology, making sure that customers' investments in their PS/2s are protected," said James A. Cannavino, IBM vice president and general manager, Personal Systems.
As with other members of the Model 90 and Model 95 families, the 486 SX systems include the processor-complex-card design. This full-size card resides in a dedicated slot on the system board and houses the microprocessor, the memory controller and the Micro Channel bus control. Through this design, these 20 MHz systems can be upgraded easily to tap into current and future i486 technologies by installing a new processor-complex card.
"IBM today offers its customers a complete set of i486 CPU-based solutions that incorporate the latest technologies. From entry-level systems, based on the new Intel486 SX chip announced just yesterday, to future i486 technology, the PS/2 Model 90 and 95 can handle it all," said David House, president of Intel's Microcomputer Components Group.
The PS/2 486 SX Systems
Based on the design of the PS/2 Model 90 XP 486 and the Model 95 XP 486, the new 486 SX systems offer entry-level i486 power in addition to 32-bit data paths, while maintaining all of the advanced features inherent in the Model 90 and Model 95.
These new systems are designed to take advantage of the growth potential of the Micro Channel architecture and IBM's new enhanced graphics, called Extended Graphics Array (XGA). This busmaster, announced last October, delivers increased graphics performance for customers involved in desktop publishing, business graphics or multimedia, for example.
In graphics-intensive environments, such as Autodesk, Inc.'s AutoCAD, the 486 SX PS/2s offer performance gains that are up to twice as fast as 33 MHz 386-based systems.
The new systems come standard with 4 MB of memory, expandable to 32 MB of high-speed, 70 nanosecond (ns) memory on the system board.
All the systems include the PS/2 Micro Channel SCSI Adapter with Cache, a 32-bit busmaster that includes a 512K cache for enhanced data input/output (I/O) operations. This adapter enables customers to attach up to seven peripheral devices through a single system expansion slot.
The desktop Model 90s are configured with either an 80 MB SCSI fixed disk (the Model 90 XP 486 SX-0G5) or a 160 MB fixed disk (the Model 90 XP 486 SX-0G9), with 80 MB, 160 MB, 320 MB or 400 MB SCSI fixed disks available as options.
These new systems, as with other Model 90s, include three available expansion slots and four storage bays -- three of which can be used for fixed disks. The systems can accommodate up to 1.2 gigabytes (GB) of internal fixed-disk storage through inclusion of three 400 MB SCSI fixed disks.
The floor-standing Model 95 XP 486 SX-0G9 and -0GF deliver all the advanced graphics, storage and memory features inherent in the Model 95 family. With six available expansion slots and seven storage bays, these new Model 95s offer the expansion capability to handle complex network-server tasks.
These new 486 SX Model 95s are configured with either a 160 MB SCSI fixed disk (the Model 95 XP 486 SX-0G9) or 400 MB SCSI fixed disk (the Model 95 XP 486 SX-0GF); 80 MB, 160 MB, 320 MB and 400 MB SCSI fixed disks are available as options.
Five of the systems' storage bays can be used for internal fixed disks, enabling the system to accommodate up to 2 GB of internal fixed-disk storage.
Other storage devices, such as a CD-ROM drive, a 5 1/4-inch diskette drive or a tape backup can be installed in the remaining bays of the Model 90 and Model 95, providing even greater internal storage capacities.
These new systems, in addition to all Micro Channel PS/2s that include a SCSI adapter, also support the IBM PS/2 SCSI Storage Enclosure, announced today. This device is an external enclosure that houses either a single IBM 3 1/2-inch or 5 1/4 inch half-high SCSI storage component, such as a fixed disk.
The new systems are supported by Operating System/2 (OS/2) Standard and Extended Edition 1.2 and 1.3, Disk Operating System (DOS) Version 3.3 and 4.0, Advanced Interactive Executive Personal System/2 (AIX PS/2) 1.2.1, Novell Netware Version 2.2 and Version 3.11, and Banyan VINES/486 Version 4.0.
Available immediately, the Model 90-0G5 and -0G9 are priced at $8,345 and $8,945, respectively; available in July, the Model 95-0G9 is priced at $9,995 and the Model 95-0GF is priced at $12,695.
The IBM PS/2 SCSI Storage Enclosure with Cables, also available today, is priced at $580.
The IBM PS/2 486/25 Processor Complex Upgrade Option
As computing needs grow, so can these new 20 MHz PS/2 Model 90s and Model 95s. Because of the unique processor complex design, these systems can be upgraded easily to 25 MHz i486 horsepower by installing the IBM PS/2 486/25 Processor Complex Upgrade Option, also announced today. A 33 MHz processor complex card, announced last October, also can be installed for even greater computing performance.
More than just a processor exchange, these full-size processor-complex adapters house all the essential components to upgrade the system, not just the processor, to take full advantage of advances in future technologies.
The 486/25 Processor Complex Upgrade Option is priced at $2,745, and is expected to be generally available in July 1991.
A math co-processor upgrade option also may be installed on the processor-complex card, for customers requiring this function. Available in July, the IBM PS/2 Math Co-Processor 487 SX-20 MHz is priced at $1,345.
Enhanced PS/2 Model 90s and Model 95s
IBM also introduced today two new configurations of the Model 95 and increased the standard memory on all 25 MHz and 33 MHz Model 90s and Model 95s from 4 MB to 8 MB at no additional cost.
The new PS/2 Model 95 XP 486-0JF and -0KF feature 25 MHz and 33 MHz i486 processors, respectively, and include a 400 MB SCSI fixed disk in addition to 8 MB of memory standard.
Available immediately, the Model 95-0JF and -0KF are priced at $15,195 and $17,195, respectively.
All products announced today are available through IBM Authorized Advanced Product Dealers, IBM Authorized Industry Remarketers and IBM marketing representatives.
IBM Announces PS/2 Price Reductions, Withdrawals; Memory Upgrades for High-End Systems Also Offered
IBM today announced price reductions on several models of the Personal System/2 line of computers.
The reductions, which range from 3 percent to 38 percent, affect the PS/2 Model 25-006, -036, Model 50 Z-031, -061, Model 65 SX-061, -121, - 321, Model 70 386-E61, -061, -A61, -A21, -B61 and -B21; the PS/2 Model 90 XP 486-0J5, -0J9, 0KD; and the PS/2 Model 95 XP 486-0J9, -0JD, -0KD.
The new prices follow; dealer prices may vary.
IBM also increased the standard memory on all 20 MHz PS/2 Model 80s from 2 megabytes (MB) to 4 MB and on all 25 MHz and 33 MHz PS/2 Model 90s and Model 95s from 4 MB to 8 MB at no additional cost.
IBM also announced the following PS/2 products are being withdrawn from marketing, effective July 23: the PS/2 Model 50 Z 031 and -061, the PS/2 Model 65 SX-061, -121 and -321, the PS/2 Model 70 386-E61, and the PS/2 Model P70 386-031 and -061.
All products are available through IBM Authorized Advanced Product Dealers, IBM Authorized Industry Remarketers and IBM marketing representatives.
IBM PERSONAL SYSTEM/2 FORMER
NEW STANDARD
PRICE PRICE CONFIGURATION
Model 25-006 $2,220
$2,135 10 MHz 80286; 1 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette
Model 25-036
$2,785 $2,705 10 MHz 80286;
1 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
30 MB fixed disk
Model 50
Z-031 $2,745
$1,695 10 MHz 80286; 1 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
30 MB fixed disk
Model 50
Z-061 $3,195
$1,975 10 MHz 80286; 1 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
60 MB fixed disk
Model 65
SX-061 $4,445
$3,145 16 MHz 80386SX; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
60 MB SCSI fixed disk
Model
65 SX-121 $4,995
$3,715 16 MHz 80386SX; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
120 MB SCSI fixed disk
Model
65 SX-321 $6,745
$5,465 16 MHz 80386SX; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
320 MB SCSI fixed disk
Model
70 386-E61 $4,395
$3,945 16 MHz 80386; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
60 MB fixed disk
Model 70
386-061 $4,745
$4,095 20 MHz 80386; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
60 MB fixed disk
Model 70
386-121 $5,395
$4,745 20 MHz 80386; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
120 MB fixed disk
Model 70 386-A61
$6,245 $5,845 25 MHz 80386; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
60 MB fixed disk
Model 70
386-A21 $6,845 $6,445
25 MHz 80386; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
120 MB fixed disk
Model 70
486-B61 $8,145 $7,745
25 MHz 80486; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
60 MB fixed disk
Model 70
486-B21 $8,745 $8,345
25 MHz 80486; 2 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
120 MB fixed disk
Model 90
XP 486-0J5 $12,495 $10,845 25 MHz 80486;
8 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
80 MB SCSI fixed disk
Model
90 XP 486-0J9 $13,095 $11,445 25 MHz 80486;
8 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
160 MB SCSI fixed disk
Model
90 XP 486-0KD $16,695 $15,395 33 MHz 80486;
8 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
320 MB SCSI fixed disk
Model
95 XP 486-0J9 $14,145 $12,545 25 MHz 80486;
8 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
160 MB SCSI fixed disk
Model
95 XP 486-0JD $16,095 $14,445 25 MHz 80486;
8 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
320 MB SCSI fixed disk
Model
95 XP 486-0KD $17,745 $16,445 33 MHz 80486;
8 MB RAM;
1.44 MB diskette;
320 MB SCSI fixed disk
IBM Prices and Planned Availability of New Products
IBM Personal System/2
Price Availability
IBM PS/2 Model 90 XP 486 SX-0G5 $ 8,345
4/23
IBM PS/2 Model 90 XP 486 SX-0G9
$ 8,945 4/23
IBM PS/2 Model 95 XP 486 SX-0G9 $ 9,995
7/91
IBM PS/2 Model 95 XP 486 SX-0GF
$12,695 7/91
IBM PS/2 Model 95 XP 486-0JF
$15,195 4/23
IBM PS/2 Model 95 XP 486-0KF
$17,195 4/23
IBM PS/2 Model 30 286-E41
$ 2,495 4/23
Options and Adapters
Price Availability
IBM PS/2 486/20 to 25 MHz Processor $ 2,745
7/91
Complex Upgrade Option
IBM PS/2 486/20 to 33 MHz Processor $ 4,445
7/91
Complex Upgrade Option
IBM PS/2 Math Co-Processor 487 SX $ 1,345
7/91
-20 MHz
IBM PS/2 SCSI Storage Enclosure $
580 4/23
with Cables
Operating System/2, OS/2 and AIX are trademarks or registered trademarks of the International Business Machines Corporation.
Intel, i486 and i486 SX are trademarks of the Intel Corporation.
AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
Netware is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
VINES is a registered trademark of Banyan Systems, Inc.
/CONTACT: Michael Reiter, 212-593-5714 (on April 23) or 914-642-5368 (after April 23); or Madeline Epstein, 212-593-5714 (on April 23), or 914-642-5363 (after April 23), both of IBM
Copyright 1991 PR Newswire Association, Inc.