Oxford-based Research Machines Plc has upgraded its 25MHz 80486-based SystemBase range of floorstanding network servers to Intel Corp’s 33MHz 80486 processor, adding a 32-bit EISA bus, and offering for a limited time a free RM NoteBook 220 with each SystemBase sold. The new servers, which support 100 users on a local network, or 70 Unix database users, have 4.2Gb storage capacity, include cache memory and controllers, 8Mb RAM, one 3.5 and one 5.25 floppy drive with an option of 300Mb, 600Mb or 1.3Gb SCSI hard disk. The entry-level system has no hard disk. The accompanying notebook is a 12MHz Intel 80286-based system with 1Mb RAM, single 3.5 1.44Mb floppy drive and 20Mb hard disk. It was launched in the spring and has been shipping for two months – it is worth UKP1,500 and comes free with the new servers, whose prices range from UKP5,400 for an entry-level system, to UKP11,000 for a system with 8Mb RAM and 1.3Gb hard disk – prices match those of the now defunct 25MHz 80486-based SystemBase range. The idea of the notebook offer, says Roger Christiansen, marketing manager for Research Machines’ RM Network Systems division, is to provide information technology departments with a remote tool for network management. Users of the 25MHz system are not able to upgrade to the 33MHz network server, but will have to go out and buy a new machine altogether.
