As previously reported (CI No 1,398), AST Research Inc, Irvine, California is claiming to be ready with the fastest MS-DOS machine yet to hit the market with its new 486/33 desktop. AST says it will ship the systems within 10-12 days of Intel launching the 20 MIPS, 33MHz version of the 80486, and points to the processor-independent Cupid 32 architecture of its personal computers as the reason for its speed. Cupid stands for Completely Universal Processor and Input-output Design, which also enables users of AST’s Premium range of personal computers to upgrade from 80386SX machines up to the top-end 80486 boxes with a simple board swap, taking only a few minutes. The machine architecture is split into three modules consisting of the compatibility set (system board with disk input-output, input-output bus and serial and parallel ports), computational set (CPU board) and memory set (system memory), enabling the individual elements to be changed with no effect on the other modules. The central processing unit for instance, could be made to incorporate RISC processors, an avenue which AST is apparently experimenting with in its development laboratories. The 486/33, claimed to be 30% faster than a Compaq Deskpro 486/25, currently uses the AT bus, although an Extended Industry Standard Architecture version is waiting in the wings, and has an 80387 compatible maths co-processor, as well as support for the Weitek 4167 floating-point chip. It comes standard with 4Mb memory, seven expansion slots, one parallel port, two serial ports and 5.25 floppy drive. Five drive bays are for further floppy drives, tape back-ups and AT embedded SCSI hard drives. There are three models: the Model 5, with floppy drive, 4Mb memory and six available slots, priced at UKP8,000; the Model 115 with 110Mb AT embedded drive for UKP9,200; and the Model 325 with 320Mb SCSI drive for UKP11,000. Dependent on availability of the 33MHz 80486, volume shipments should begin in the second quarter. Aside from MS-DOS and OS/2, AST plans to offer the Unix-based Open Desktop evironment from the Santa Cruz Operation on the new machines. In the UK, AST is based in Brentford, Middlesex.
