IBM Corp will introduce its long-promised range of Intel-based Network Computers on Wednesday. The Series 2200 and 2800 Network Stations join the PowerPC-based systems IBM has been buying and reselling from Network Computing Devices Inc since 1997. The Series 2800, using a 266MHZ Intel Pentium MMX chip, two PCI slots and a price tag of $800, has actually been shipping since May. The lower-end 2200, using a 233MHz x86 chip, costs $560 and ships this month.
IBM is expected to continue selling the Series 300 and Series 1000 systems from NCD, although its shipments have been declining for some time. IBM’s OEM contract with NCD expires on December 31, 2000. Software will include a new graphical desktop, and an upgrade of IBM’s Network Station Manager software, due for release later this year. There will also be WorkSpace on Demand 2.0, for customers with large OS/2 application investments, from which they can manage and administer thin clients from OS/2 Warp Server.
Also this week, Compaq Computer Corp will introduce its first network computers, Sun Microsystems will release its second-generation JavaStation, and Unisys Corp will launch a new Thin-telligent range of terminals. On the software side, Citrix Systems Inc is holding its user conference in Orlando, Florida, and promised a version of its MetaFrame product tailored for application service providers.
NCD, which appointed its chief financial officer Rudolph Morin to be its new president and CEO last week, is also expected to launch new desktop systems management software tools this month, called ThinPATH Desktop Mirror. Morin succeeds Bob Gilbertson as CEO, who will stay on as chairman of the board.
