---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SMCC Intros Lowest-Cost 24-Bit Graphics Workstations SunFLASH Vol 67 #38 July 1994 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Electronic Journal For Sun Users Since 1988 John J. Mclaughlin, Publisher & Editor - flash@sun.com ____________________________________________________________________________ 67.38 SMCC Intros Lowest-Cost 24-Bit Graphics Workstations Sun Microsystems Computer Company (SMCC) further established itself as a leader in imaging products and technologies with the introduction of the lowest-cost workstation featuring 24-bit graphics. Four new 24-bit true color graphics configurations, including a video conference-ready multimedia version, were added to the recently introduced SPARCstation(TM) 5 system line-up. With a 24-bit frame buffer called the S24(TM), the SPARCstation 5 S24 delivers competitive performance at price levels starting at $6,595. (140 lines) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Brian Healy of SMCC Product Marketing at (415) 336-2413. Press inquiries: Lisa Ganier of SMCC Public Relations at (415) 336-5637. SMCC INTRODUCES INDUSTRY'S LOWEST-COST 24-BIT GRAPHICS WORKSTATIONS In a separate announcement, SMCC also reported today that it will sell and support the high-performance Freedom Series 3-D graphics accelerators from Evans and Sutherland. The SPARCstation 5 S24 announcement underscores SMCC's commitment to be the 24-bit graphics leader for the networked enterprise desktop. The SPARCstation 5 S24 systems are priced competitively with low-cost 24-bit solutions from companies such as Apple Computer, while offering the broader network-ready and multitasking capabilities found standard on Sun workstations. In addition, the new SPARCstation 5 S24 systems cost considerably less than comparable workstations from companies such as Silicon Graphics, whose 24-bit graphics products start at roughly $2,500 more than the entry-level SPARCstation 5 S24. The workstations provide new visual computing capabilities at exceptional price/performance for a variety of application areas that are becoming increasingly color-intensive, including color document imaging, graphics design and color publishing, GIS, computer-based education and customer services. "Customers are expecting more and more graphics realism on their desktops at lower and lower prices," said Vicki Brown, director of entry desktop systems at SMCC. "The color 24-bit pixel capabilities of the SPARCstation 5 S24 deliver extremely clear graphics in existing application areas such as color publishing and in emerging segments, such as customer service, where phone orders can be matched to on-screen color catalog pages." In order to deliver 24-bit capabilities at such a low cost, SMCC took a unique approach in developing the SPARCstation 5 S24 configurations. By incorporating S24 technology directly on the SPARCstation 5 S24's high-speed memory bus, SMCC designers were able to take greater advantage of the system's high-speed microSPARC(TM) II processor. The direct access to the CPU enables fast data manipulation of 24-bit graphics at an extremely low cost. The SPARCstation 5 S24 supports various 24-bit graphics applications, including PhotoshopTM from Adobe Systems, which praised the new SMCC offerings. "Sun is enabling a much broader base of current and future users to gain access to advanced graphics technology through this new line of low-cost systems," said Dano Ybarra, senior marketing manager for Adobe Systems. "We're excited that users will be able to get all the benefits of Adobe Photoshop and 24-bit graphics with systems that are affordable and yet do not compromise quality." SPARCstation 5 Highlights The SPARCstation 5 workstation was introduced in March 1994 to redefine desktop price and functionality. The workstation delivers powerful CPU performance, unmatched expandability, robust multimedia capabilities (video, audio, graphics, and imaging), and can run a broad range of user applications -- including those available on the Solaris software environment, as well as Macintosh, DOS and leading Microsoft Windows programs. Numerous users, including Comerica Bank, Altera Corp., Northwest Natural Gas Co., and Cray Research, have already taken delivery of SPARCstation 5 systems. Pricing and Availability The new SPARCstation 5 S24 configurations include: A 70MHz system with a 17-inch color monitor, 16 megabytes RAM and a 535 megabyte hard disk for $6,595. A 70MHz video conference-ready multimedia system, called the SPARCstation 5M, with a 17-inch color monitor, 32MB RAM, 535MB hard disk, SunVideo` Board snd camera for $9,640. An 85MHz system with a 17-inch color monitor, 32 megabytes RAM and a 1 gigabyte hard disk for $9,595. An 85MHz system with a 20-inch color monitor, 32 megabytes RAM and a 1 gigabyte hard disk for $11,395. All prices are U.S. list. All of the new configurations are available in August through SMCC and authorized Sun resellers worldwide. Sun Microsystems Computer Company(SMCC), the world's top supplier of open network computing solutions, is an operating company of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Built on Sun's legacy of "The Network is the Computer`,"SMCC's SPARC"/Solaris" workstation and server family leads the UNIX market. The company has its headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. # # # Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, S24, The Network is the Computer and Solaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. SPARCstation and microSPARC are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based on an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries exclusively licensed through X/Open Company Ltd. Adobe and Photoshop are trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated, which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft and Microsoft Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft, Corporation. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. Press announcements and other information about Sun Microsystems are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web. http://www.sun.com