While the world awaits an anorexic OS/2, IBM presents the trimmed down 2Mb OS/2 1.3IBM lowered the entry point for users of OS/2 by introducing OS/2 Standard Edition Version 1.3 which reduces memory requirements to 2Mb and offers improvements in performance, quality and printer support. New features have been added to this reduced memory version: A practical workload consisting of one MS-DOS application and up to two OS/2 applications will now run in 2Mb of memory in OS/2 1.3. With OS/2 Extended Edition 1.3, users can now run these applications along with components, such as LAN Requester, in 3Mb of memory. IBM says local area network programs may now be loaded up to three times faster than OS/2 Version 1.2 for most users. As a result of IBM’s decision last spring to implement Adobe font technology across Systems Application Architecture OS/2 1.3 now includes the Adobe Type Manager. The type now looks the same on a display as it does when printed. Also included in this version is an open font interface. Enhanced device drivers provide a variety of support for printers, such as the IBM LaserPrinter series, Hewlett-Packard LaserJet Series, Epson and PostScript printers. The addition of a new Print Manager simplifies the installation of many of these printers and printer device drivers. Further, the interface to a new Print Spooler simplifies printing over a LAN. OS/2 Extended 1.3 and LAN Server 1.3 include new features: The Communications Manager component of OS/2 Extended 1.3 now enables Asynchronous Communications Device Interface calls to be redirected over the local net. This enables workstations attached to a local area network to share the modem and line pooling facilities of a server. Support for Ethernet has been expanded in OS/2 Extended 1.3 and OS/2 LAN Server 1.3 for both MS-DOS and OS/2 workstations. In addition, OS/2 LAN Server provides an MS-DOS LAN Requester that now supports Windows 3.0. OS/2 Standard 1.3 costs $340 to license, a licence for OS/2 Extended 1.3 costs $830 – both versions are available by year end, while an OS/2 LAN Server 1.3 licence will cost $1,040 in March when it ships. Users of OS/2 Standard or Extended 1.1 or 1.2, and of OS/2 LAN Server 1.0 or 1.2 get free upgrades up to 120 days from release.

The P75 luggable, weighing 21 lbs, is aptly described as a 3090 with handle

For some reason IBM chose to announce its 80486 luggable in Europe only – the P75 486 weigh-ing in at 21 lbs, comes in two versions: the Model 161 has a 160Mb SCSI fixed disk, while Model 401 has a 400Mb SCSI fixed disk drive, and both sport a 33MHz 80486 processor. They have a plasma screen with Extended Graphics Array functionality and four internal expansion slots. They both support the PS/2 Wizard Adaptor which, via the 80860 RISC processor, means they can offer 27 MIPS. No pricing.

PS/2s galore: three new Model 80s and one new Model 65 SX are launched

IBM also expanded the PS/2 Model 80 and Model 65 SX families to include four new systems that deliver one-third more fixed-disk storage and 30% more in fixed-disk performance. The four systems are: the PS/2 Model 80-A16, a 25MHz system with a 160Mb SCSI fixed disk; the Model 80-161, a 20MHz system with a 160Mb SCSI fixed disk; the Model 80-081, a 20MHz system with an 80Mb SCSI fixed disk; and the Model 65 SX-321, a 320Mb version of the 16 MHz, 80386SX entry-level file server. Also available as options for all floor-standing Micro Channel PS/2s, the 80Mb and 160Mb fixed disks announced today have an access speed of 17mS and 16mS, respectively; the 320Mb fixed disk offers an access speed of 12.5mS. The new systems and disk drives are supported by MS-DOS 3.3 or higher and OS/2 1.2 or higher. The Model 80-081 costs $6,845, the 80-161 costs $7,495, the 80-A16 costs $10,195, the 65 SX costs $7,945.

PS/2 Model 70s, 80-A21 price cuts

System price reductions range from 8% to 25% and affect the 25MHz PS/2 Model 70s as well as the PS/2 Model 80-A21. The price of the 486/25 Power Platform was reduced to $1,900 from $4,000; various PS/2 memory options were reduced by up to 50%

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SCSI tower offers up to 2.2Gb storage

The IBM PS/2 External Storage Enclosure for SCSI Devices houses up to seven storage devices, such as fixed disks, CD-ROM drives or tape-backup units, and attaches them to any Micro Channel PS/2 with a SCSI adaptor through a single expansion slot. The new floor-standing storage tower comes standard with a single IBM PS/2 320Mb SCSI Fixed Disk Drive and can take up to 2.24Gb of IBM storage options. The expansion tower is attached to Micro Channel PS/2s through either the PS/2 Micro Channel SCSI Adaptor with Cache, standard on the Model 95 and Model 90, or the PS/2 Micro Channel SCSI Adaptor, which is standard on all Model 80s and Model 65 SXs. Both SCSI adaptors are available as options for all existing Micro Channel PS/2s. The PS/2 External Storage Enclosure for SCSI Devices with a single 320Mb SCSI Fixed Disk is priced at $6,500. IBM also introduced the PS/2 2.3Gb SCSI Tape Drive, a 5.25 tape back-up device that can store up to 2.3Gb of information. Designed for use with either PS/2 Model 95 or the PS/2 External Storage Enclosure for SCSI Devices, the tape drive is supported by Sytos Plus/IBM File Backup Utilities, OS/2 1.2 and above, MS-DOS 3.3 and up. Ships now at $6,550.

Multimedia touchscreens, video card

IBM also announced enhancements to its multimedia offerings that, for example, enable users of the Audio Visual Connection software to create full-motion video presentations on the PS/2. The new Audio Visual Connection 1.03 now provides touchscreen capabilities for ease of use in creating and viewing multimedia presentations in all media forms. IBM also announced enhancements to its M-Control Program – the software which enables full-motion video presentations using IBM’s full-motion video card M-Motion Video Adaptor/A. M-Control Program/2 now supports Microsoft Windows 3.0, and improves the speed of performance in Presentation Manager. Audio Visual Control 1.03 is further enhanced through a new video out option, which enables the user to send draft or finished presentations to a video cassette recorder or television monitor for video playback. Other improvements include: higher fidelity sound and the ability to play Musical Instrument Digital Interface files. Audio Visual Control 1.03 is available immediately and sells for $544. M-Control Program/2 ispriced at $150 and will be available in January 1991.