AST Research Inc claims to be radically lowering the cost of computing by taking us back to the concept of a central computer with multiple users hanging off it. The Irvine, California company has launched Centralan, a system that supports up to 16 users on a single Intel Corp 166MHz Pentium processor, each with a standard Super VGA monitor, keyboard and an adapter box that links the monitor to the central video board. Each monitor can run up to four virtual users. Centralan runs AST’s System Manager, a 32-bit multi-user MS-DOS-compatible operating system, derived originally from Digital Research Inc’s multi-user, multi-tasking version of Concurrent DOS launched back in 1991 (CI No 1,631), for which AST now holds the worldwide license. The system currently supports Windows 3.11, but an NT version will be available by the end of the year. Centralan is targeting small businesses and departments or branch offices. The system will ship on August 23, with an estimated price of $5,700 for a four-user system, including 32Mb EDO memory, 2Gb SCSI-2 drive, multi-VGA adapter, an eight times standard speed IDE CD-ROM, 33.6Kbps modem and an Intel EtherExpress 10/100Mbps PCI board, but excluding monitors. Existing Super VGA monitors can be used with the system. AST says additional users can be added for around $500 each.
