RISC PCs aim to chip away at Intel's hold

Article Abstract:

DEC, NEC Corp, Acer Group, IBM, Apple and several start-ups plan to roll out the first personal computers based on reduced-instruction-set-computing (RISC) chips. Until now, RISC chips have only been found in powerful, costly workstations that are typically used by engineers. The new PCs will compete head-to-head with those based on Intel Corp's microprocessors. The new RISC PCs will be much more powerful than those based on Intel's 386 or 486 chips, but otherwise will differ little from the current crop of PCs. Analysts say these new computers could transform the PC industry, especially as a new generation of demanding operating systems, such as Microsoft NT, reaches the market. However, little software is available that can take advantage of the RISC PCs' greater power. In 1992, half a million RISC workstations were sold, compared to some 28 million Intel-based PCs.

Marketing, Design and construction, RISC based computers, Outlook, Market Entry, RISC, RISC processors, Reduced-instruction-set computers

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Digital Equipment expected to unveil new product line

Article Abstract:

DEC is expected to make several product announcements in the mainframe and microcomputer markets. While systems based on the Alpha microprocessor are not yet available, DEC is marketing the VAX 7000 and VAX 10000 mainframe computers that will be upgradeable to Alpha components once they are on the market. Cost estimates for the VAX mainframes begin at $750,000. DEC's last venture into the mainframe market, the VAX 8000, sold poorly. Additionally, DEC is expected to demonstrate a line of microcomputers based on the Alpha chip. Code-named Triumph, the microcomputers are expected to start at $3,500. DEC is banking that the product announcements will boost sales, which have been lagging because computer buyers have been waiting to see what Alpha products would be introduced. DEC will likely report a loss for the quarter ended Jun 30, 1992.

Prepackaged software, Product development, Mainframe computers, Digital Equipment Corp., DEC, Mainframe Computer, Losses, DEC DECchip Alpha (Microprocessor), DEC VAX 7000 (Minicomputer), DEC VAX 10000 (Minicomputer)

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