IBM yesterday expanded the RT Unix workstation range with three new models, put a ship date of July 29 on OS/2 Extended Edition, and unveiled the long-awaited PC-DOS 3.4 as PC-DOS 4.0. Microsoft announced the last as MS-DOS 4.0, very confusing since a multi-tasking MS-DOS offered only in Europe was called 4.0. The new RTs – desktop Model 130, floorstanding 135 and B35, each with 16Mb of CMOS memory plus 114Mb disk – were announced at an AIX forum for 250 software developers in Washington yesterday at which the company tried to win more software for the RT – now called the RT system, and for the first time in the US stressed multi-user business as well as technical applications for it. The new CMOS RISC processor is 25% faster than the current one, and floating point performance is also improved. Up to three of a new 310Mb disk drive can be supported on larger RTs. The announcement also included AIX/RT VS Cobol – from Micro Focus Plc. US prices are $23,220 for the 130, $30,595 for the 135, and $32,165 for the B35. The new PC-DOS 4.0 comes with an optional new mouse-and-icon DOS Shell with file organiser and application selector, which looks the same as the OS/2 user interface. As expected, the Lotus/Intel/Microsoft 4.0 expanded memory specification for memory above 640Kb is supported, and the 32Mb disk size limit is gone: a single file can be as big as the disk. It costs $150, $95 if you trade in an earlier PC-DOS. An integrated DOS 4.0 & Windows kit for OS/2 is $314.
