michelbi@oregon.uoregon.edu (03/29/89)
ZENITH DATA SYSTEMS' NEW Z-386/25
MEETS WORKSTATION NEEDS WITH 6 MIPS PERFORMANCE
GLENVIEW, Ill., Feb. 16, 1989 -- To address the growing needs for workstation-
level computing, Zenith Data Systems (ZDS) today introduced its most powerful
system ever: the Z-386/25 desktop workstation.
"More and more people are turning to 386 technology to address their needs for
network file servers, engineering workstations, high-end business systems and
UNIX applications." said Arthur Lambert, ZDS vice-president of sales and
marketing. "These needs are easily met by the higher performance of their Z-
386/25 which, in many cases, overlaps the capabilities of more expensive
minicomputers."
This powerful new personal computer combines the fastest Intel 386 dm processor
with ZDS' zero wait-state operation and Superset Bus architecture to offer true
32-bit computing and "intelligent" 8-/16-/32-bio I/O support. To optimize the
performance of the 25-megahertz 386 processor, ZDS has configured the Z-386/25
with many high performance features to boost overall system processing speed
beyond 6 MIPS (million instructions per second), according to the Database
Group's Power Meter tests.
Engineered for High Performance
The Z-386/25 workstation comes standard with two megabytes (MB) of memory.
Memory can be expanded to 8MM on the system board and up to 32MB total. When
4MB and MB SIMMs (single in-line memory modules) become available, total systems
memory can be increased to 64MB. ZDS also includes 64 kilobytes of cache memory
to maximize the system's zero wait-state performance.
An ESDI disk controller provides 1:1 disk interleave operation at a 1 MB-
per_second transfer rate, which is twice as fast as ST-506 controllers. This
ESDI controller supports up to two hard and two floppy disk drives. Through a
setup program in ROM, the system allows for automatic configuration of virtually
all ESDI disk drives.
All four Z-386/25 models include a 3.5-inch, 1.44MB floppy drive and bays for
three additional drives.
New Security Feature
Zenith has developed a new "Password Control" feature that secures against
unauthorized system use. When the password feature is enabled, the system will
not run unless the password (which is user-determinable) is first entered.
The Z-386/25 features ZDS' Slushware, which increases video performance by
copying slow 8-bit video ROM into fast 32-bit RAM at system boot-up. Other
standard features include two serial ports, one parallel port, a 101-key
keyboard, a 200-watt power supply, MS-DOS 3.3+ and a one-year warranty. All
systems are equipped with a socket for an 80387 or Weitek math coprocessor.
Mass Storage Models
All hard disk drive models are equipped with Zenith's Z-549 VGA video card for
fast 16-bit video performance and Microsoft Corp's MS-Windows(tm)/386 graphical
operating environment for multitasking applications.
The Model 70 and Model 150 feature a 70MB and 150MB ESDI hard disk drive,
respectively. These hard disk drives have an average access speed of 18
milliseconds. The Model 320 features a 16-millisecond, 320MB ESDI hard drive.
The suggested retail prices for the Model 70, Model 150, and Model 320 are
$8,999, $9,999, and $11,999, respectively.
The Z-386/25 Model 1, which allows system integrators to add their own video
card and hard disk drives, has a suggested retail price of $6,599. This system
has five open slots for expansion.
ZDS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zenith Electronics Corporation, is a worldwide
manufacturer and marketer of desktop and portable personal computers, monitors
and peripherals. With headquarters in Glenview, Ill., and principal final
assembly operations in St. Joseph, Mich., ZDS has manufacturing and sales
facilities in more than 20 countries. ZDS markets its products to business and
industry, education, government agencies, and original equipment manufacturers.
Zenith's sales of computer products were $1.4 billion in 1988.
Intel386 is trademark of Intel Corp.
MS-Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.
Contacts: Glen-Eric Nelson Matthew Mirapaul
Zenith Data Systems Zenith Electronics Corp.
(312) 699-4839 (312) 699-4897
Please refer reader inquiries to ZDS at 800-842-9000, ext. 1.
--
Michel Biedermann (michelbi@oregon.uoregon.edu)
U. of Oregon
ZENITH Student Rep.