djb (02/09/83)
The following is taken from the Monday, Jan 31 EE Times: NCR Corp has taken dead aim on the market for IBM's Personal computer with its initial foray into the low-cost professional computer arena - the Decision Mate V microcomputer The Decision Mate V incorporates two microprocessors: the Z80 and the 8088. With the two processors will come three operating systems: two CP/M systems from Digital Research, plus MS-DOS (equivalent to IBM's DOS for its PC.) A Software licensing agreement between Digital Research and NCR covers CP/M Plus, an enhanced 8-bit version of CM/M-80, and Concurrent CP/M, its multitasking cousin for 16-bit systems. The Series V microcomputers use NEC's powerful 7220 graphics processor chip to provide high-resolution 640x400 dot-addressable eight- color graphics. Both machines offer ergonomically designed detached keyboards - but the PC provides 10 function keys vs. 20 for the Series V. NCR's keyboard also prvides a number keypad separate from the cursor control keys, whereas the PC combines the two functions into one set of keys. The plug on the side of the NCR keyboard is for a joystick or mouse; Digital Research is in the process of writing mouse-oriented software for the new machines. Because NCR expects its typical customer to use many microcomputers, a file-server and network system are key elements of the Series V. A Decision Mate V, equipped with dual central processors, 64K bytes of memory, two disk drives, a color CRT, high-resolution graphics with independent graphics processor, RS-232 port and operating system sells for $3340. A comparatively equipped PC is priced at $4500 from IBM. "We're not going after onesies or twosies, and we're not selling this machine as a home computer," said an NCR spokesman. "This machine is aimed squarely at business and professional applications." The article contained a few other scattered details. Thought this might be of interest to the readers of net.micro. David Bryant Bell Labs Columbus, OH (614) 860-4516 (cbosg!djb)