Microsoft Corp’s plans to offer a special introductory price on desktop Windows NT when it finally appears is bound to increase the force of the tidal wave when it hits, as it already has with the Access database (CI No 2,087). Microsoft’s director of Windows NT and networking products Dwayne Walker indicated desktop NT could appear at $500 list and hit a street price of $300 given reseller discounts of 40% to 50%, once the introductory price expires. Walker said he never expects to see demand again such as Windows inspired. However, he claims demand for Windows NT is twice what Windows was at the same place in the roll-out schedule. He says Microsoft now has 45,000 NT developer kits in the field in 20 countries and expects to have 50,000 out just prior to launch. When Windows was in the same place it only had 25,000 kits out. Meanwhile, the company is still trying to slim down its bloated baby NT, trying to get the client side to run in 12Mb RAM and the server in 16Mb on the theory that the typical user will have 4Mb more than the minimum. Microsoft is now working towards an announcement of Windows NT at Comdex Spring, May 24 to 27 in Atlanta. Windows World, which is effectively Microsoft’s stand there, is spread over two halls and we’re told to expect a cast of thousands of independent software vendors in supporting roles. Meanwhile, Unix System Laboratories Inc has negotiated a Unix showcase area squat at the front door of the conference centre. The first exhibitor to sign on is Digital Equipment Corp. Unix Labs and the exhibit’s manager, Interface Group, will both be trying to round up other interested firms. Apparently the amount of space dedicated to it is expandable according to interest so it is to be hoped the Unix industry will make some kind of manly showing. It would be a pity if the site of General Sherman’s march to the sea become equally famous for Gates’ Rout of Unix.
