In contrast to the UK pricing of the new 3090E models, where the Es are typically 4% more expensive than their predecessors, in the US, the Es cost the same as their predecessors on all models apart from the 150E and 400E – which are actually cheaper. The 150E is about 2.9% cheaper than the 150 at $1.7m, and the 400E is 1.1% cheaper than the 400 at $8.4m. IBM is also encouraging users in US not to wait until the new facilities in the E models are available in May, but to take delivery of Es that do not have all the new microcode and timings installed, and get the upgrade done in May. The inducement is a discount of $100,000 to $125,000. The US announcement also gave details of the new software, which does not include a new MVS/XA release. The previously announced VM/XA System Facility 2 for delivery in June will now come with additional device and CMS support, and more program and application development products for engineering and scientific work. It costs $11,220 and $3,740 a month. A new VM/SP HPO 5 release removes constraints on the number of active CMS users and uses processor storage more efficiently above and below the 16Mb line; available in the third quarter, it is $5,325 and $1,775 a month. It is also available for a one-time $57,665 on Group 30 (bigger 4381) machines, and $92,265 on Group 40 (3090) machines. VM/XA Real Time Monitor/SF 2, which supports VM/XA SF2 on more than two CPUs, and also the Vector Facility, is a one-time $7,500 from June. VS Fortran 2.2 has usability and functionality enhancements and is $750 a month or a one-time $9,000, $15,750, $22,500 and $36,000 on Groups 10 to 40 machines respectively. VM Intersystem Facilities for VM/SP HPO 4.2 supports a higher number of users in the same applications environment, is available in August at $2,100 a month or a one-time $100,800 on Group 40 and $63,000 on Group 30 machines. Group 10 is the the 9372 and 9375/40; Group 20 is 9375/60 and 9377/90, and the 4381-11.
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