Comparex Computer Systems GmbH yesterday followed National Advanced Systems in bringing out Hitachi’s latest extensions to its IBMcompatible mainframes (CI No 1,013). Comparex claims the new models bring up to 35% improvement in priceperformance to its 8/XX range, which it claims now offers a 25-fold growth capability. The 14 models have between 32Mb and 2Gbs of main storage, up to 1,920Gb expanded storage and eight to 128 channels operating at up to 6Mbytespersecond. The new entry machine is the 8/80, featuring expanded storage, high speed channels and optical channels and equivalent to an unspecified 4381; the new 8/87 dyadic is rated equivalent to the 3090170S. The 8/90 range, upgradeable from the 7/90 range, has the faster cycle time, increased working storage and optimising pipelining. Prices depend on configuration but a Comparex spokesman said he will be able to offer an 8/80 for under UKP250,000 configured to support ESA. The new line is out early first quarter 1989.
