Cray Computer suffers competitive blow

Article Abstract:

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, CA) cancels an order for a Cray-3 supercomputer from Cray Computer Corp (Colorado Springs, CO). Instead, Livermore will buy a Y-MP C90 from Cray Research Inc (Eagan, MN). Cray Computer Corp and Cray Research Inc are industry rivals. The cancellation marks a sharp break with tradition: Livermore has maintained a relationship with Seymour Cray since the 1604 supercomputer was introduced more than 30 years ago. The Cray-3 was delayed in its development, and at the same time, the C90 was improved. The C90's specifications and performance capabilities now compare favorably with those of a Cray-3. According to George Lindamood, an analyst with the Gartner Group, Livermore's cancellation is significant because it means that Washington will no longer view Seymour Cray as the only possible vendor of supercomputers. Any company that makes a state-of-the-art product will be seen as competitive.

Computer industry, Contracts, Company Profile, United States. Department of Energy. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Cray Research Inc., CYR, Industry Analysis, Hardware Selection, Competition, Manufacturers, Cray Computer Corp., Product Delay, Product introduction delays, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

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How cheap can it be and still give you 3-D?

Article Abstract:

Silicon Graphics Inc, HP and Sun Microsystems offer graphics workstations with competitive performance/price ratios. The Silicon Graphics Indy workstation is base priced at $4995 and features a 64-bit, 100-MHz Mips R4000PC microprocessor, 15-inch color monitor and the proprietary Raster Engine for Inexpensive Graphics (REX) chip. Standard equipment on the Indy includes a digital color video camera that captures still or moving images, and an analog microphone. The 8-bit color graphics can be dithered for virtual 24-bit graphics. For a truly high performance three-dimensional output, users would be better off with the $25,500 Indigo XZ for 24-bit color, a 19-inch monitor and performance that offers up to 250,000 flat-shaded triangles per second. Sun Microsystems offers the Sun Sparcstation LX for $7995 that features a 424Mbyte hard disk. The HP 715/33 is aimed at the two-dimensional graphics market and is base priced at $5695.

Computer terminals, Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Innovations, Product development, Design and construction, Sun Microsystems Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., SUNW, HWP, Silicon Graphics Inc., SGI, Multimedia systems, Workstations (Computers), Three-dimensional graphics, Three dimensional graphics, Multimedia Technology, SGII, Silicon Graphics Indy (MIPS-based system), Sun Microsystems SPARCstation ZX (SPARC-based system)

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The main event

Article Abstract:

The merging of reduced-instruction-set computers, parallel processing, compiler techniques, graphics and bus technologies, and custom integrated circuits has created a new class of computer. Personal supercomputers combine the interactive and graphic abilities of workstations with the arithmetical power and wide bus structure of the supercomputer. Images in motion or complex systems can be displayed in real time. Visualization is the new term for the combination of interaction, arithmetic processing and 3-D graphics of which the new class of computers is capable.

Graphics System

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