Bulletin Board Software query

IBM Announces High Performance Models Storage Option For RT Systems

RYE BROOK, N.Y., July 19, 1988 -- IBM today announced three new models of its RISC Technology workstation which offer up to 25 percent faster performance and improved floating point processing over previous RT models.

IBM also announced a new 310-million-character disk storage device. The larger RT models can include up to three of the new units, giving customers up to 930 million characters of internal storage.

In addition, the company announced several programs, including AIX/RT VS COBOL for commercial customers in multi-user UNIX environments, and enhancements to two database management programs.

IBM has stepped up its efforts to recruit independent software developers to write programs for its Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) operating systems -- AIX/RT for RT systems, AIX PS/2 for IBM Personal System/2, and AIX/370 for large IBM systems.

IBM hosted an AIX forum for 250 software developers today in Washington to reaffirm its commitment to the high-performance UNIX customers. IBM executives told the attendees that the company is determined to become a leader in providing AIX-based solutions to customers in the technical, engineering/scientific, and commercial multi-user arenas.

New RT Models

The RT system -- previously called the RISC Technology Personal Computer, or RT PC -- is a full-function 32-bit workstation for use as an independent system or connected to a host computer. It can be used for a variety of business and administrative, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and engineering/scientific applications, such as general business management, technical design and analysis, document publishing, personal productivity, project management, accounting, financial analysis, and data base management.

The new RT model 130 is a desktop unit, and models 135 and B35 are floor-standing machines. All come with 16MB of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) memory, four times the amount of standard memory previously offered.

All three models use a RISC processor which provides up to 25 percent greater system throughout than the processor used in previous RT models. Other new standard features for all models include an enhanced version of the IBM Advanced Floating Point accelerator and 114MB of fixed disk storage.

In addition, customers using RT models 115, 125, 130, 135, B25, and B35 now can select either a 114MB or a 310MB fixed disk installed in the first drive position.

Up to three 310MB drives can be installed on models 125, 135, B25 and B35 for a total of 930MB of internal storage. Additional storage devices can bring the total storage for these models up to 7.46 billion characters of information.

The IBM RT system, introduced in 1986, was the first IBM computer to be based on RISC technology, which was invented and developed by IBM, beginning in the 1970s.

RISC technology is based on three concepts: simple design and instructions, combined with innovative software; limiting and managing data traffic between the processor and the slower memory circuits; and using high-speed memories for temporary storage to minimize the processor's need to access memory for data or instructions.

The implementation of these concepts on the RT system provides high excellent price performance.

AIX Enhancements

IBM also announced three new AIX software packages for the RT. The new AIX packages include a VS COBOL compiler and run time environment, and additions to the INGRES and ORACLE database management systems. These additional programs will enhance the ability of AIX/RT users to make use of INGRES and ORACLE databases.

Prices and Availability

All three new RT models will be available July 29. Prices are $23,220 for the Model 130, $30,595 for the 135, and $32,165 for the B35.