An interactive supercomputer running under the Carnegie Mellon University Mach parallel – and simplified version of Unix is planned by Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp, Mountain View, California, for launch by year-end. The machine, optimised for complex real world modelling and simulation problems will in maximum configuration have eight processor complexes, each consisting of up to 16 computational units each of which in turn will be half as powerful as a 3090 CPU in scientific work. The machine will be moderately parallel and will be scalar so that it will be easier to transfer applications to it than it is to a vector Cray machine or to IBM’s Vector Facility. It is also designed to be used interactively, supporting workstations, where Cray machines are batch, and will integrate the Evans & Sutherland’s graphics technology. The firm expects to price it at between $3m and $8m.
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