ark@rabbit.UUCP (10/21/83)
This machine is, in effect, an IBM PC with an extra board (actually three boards) that executes 370 problem-state instructions. It has memory management, and presumably has virtual memory, because while there's only 512K for the 370 part, it can address up to 4MB of virtual memory. There's an additional 256K for the 8088 part, bringing the total memory up to 768K. Floating-point is included. Except for the 370 cards, the machine is a normal PC/XT. There is, in fact, an upgrade kit that converts a 256K PC/XT to a PC/XT 370. The kit contains three boards, an instruction book, and a new nameplate (!). Their first software offering for this machine is called VM/PC. Apparently, it's a slightly modified version of CMS to run in the 370 part, and a simulation of the CMS interface of VM/370 to run in the 8088 part. One can apparently run normal CMS load modules on the machine. Prices can be inferred from the fact that the upgrade kit costs slightly more than $3700. Upgrading a PC/XT is not significantly more expensive than buying an XT 370 to start.
wagner@utcsstat.UUCP (Michael Wagner) (10/26/83)
Interesting to note that the canadian price of the PC/XT/370 is significantly higher ($15,000), and they will not sell a board upgrade kit, at least not according to my local marketing people. Wonder if they just slipped on a detail, or if this is a major marketing difference in Canada (only in Canada, you say!) Michael Wagner, UTCS (utzoo!utcsstat!wagner)