IBM says that it decided to reprieve Models 23 and 24 of its 4381 line in the US – but not in Europe – (CI No 1,126) to meet requirements for a number of outstanding contracts. However, speculation that the reprieve was a response to indignant customers discovering that a hefty ESA premium was attached to their 91E and 92E replacements appears to be misguided. In fact, the new models are slightly cheaper than their original non-ESA counterparts. The only other explanation is that customers who have just installed 4381 Models 23 and 24 voiced dismay at the discovery that the machines residual value would be obliterated by the end of May.
