It has been several months since there has been any really good news for MIPS Computer Systems Inc, about the last being that Convex Computer Corp’s Japanese partner, Nippon Kokan KK, had signed with Integrated Device Technology Inc to fabricate the R3000 RISC (CI No 1,777). The apparent decision by Convex Computer Corp not to use the R4000 is only the latest in a string of setbacks highlighted by the fact that members of the Advanced Computing Environment consortium – such as Ing C Olivetti & Co SpA – are seeing Digital Equipment Corp’s Alpha RISC as the natural progression for users of the R4000. At present, Alpha RISCs cost much too much for low-end machines, but that is not likely to be the case for very long. Kubota Ltd has adopted the Alpha for machines above its MIPS R-based models, and Groupe Bull SA has defected to IBM Corp’s Rios RISC. Prime Computer Inc has stepped back from its R-series-based machines, and competitors are increasingly casting doubt on the outlook for MIPS, with Bernard Guidon, Hewlett-Packard Co’s general systems division quoted in Electronic News saying I don’t think many people want to get behind the MIPS architecture right now, describing most of the companies likely to remain with MIPS as very second-tier players. The negative comments are likely to galvanise companies with an interest in MIPS’ survival into rallying a takeover for the company, which might well come from Japan: NEC Corp, one of the fabricators of MIPS RISCs, has assured Olivetti’s Elserino Piol that it will not allow MIPS’ architecture to die.
