Control Data Corp pitched the first low-end models of its Cyber 180 line at the scientific 32-bit minicomputer market dominated by DEC, without too much success, but it is trying again with what it describes as its first departmental computer, the 64-bit Cyber 180 model 930, coming in two versions, 930-11 and 930-31, pitched to match the performance of DEC’s VAX 8350 and 8530 at a lower price, and with much higher input-output performance. CDC also announced enhanced versions of its CDCNET Open Systems communications network, the new NOS/VE 64-bit virtual operating system, and IM/VE database, plus the long-promised support for the Officeware professional office software from Century Analysis Inc, all for the full Cyber 180 line. The CMOS gate array air-cooled CPU – mainly NatSemi – is mounted on casters so it can be wheeled about the office. CDC rates the 930-11 CPU at 1.8 MIPS – almost twice the 830A at half the price, and the 930-31 at 3 MIPSin a Fortran benchmark against the VAX 8600, but input-output performance tends to be higher because of the distributed architecture that uses multiple – mainly 68000 – peripheral processors. Memory goes to 64Mb. The 930-11, out now and also announced in the UK, at $59,900 with 8Mb and five peripheral CPUs; the 930-31 is $125,000 in the same configuration and set for August. A one-year warranty is offered.
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