Library Technology Guides

Digital Equipment Corporation used its massive DECWorld show in Boston to introduce the MicroVAX 3500 and 3600 systems. The machines are estimated to be 1.1 and 3 times faster than the MicroVAX II. A series of benchmark tests conducted for Digital suggest that the performance will be comparable to the VAX 8200 and 8300 series systems, machines now used by many libraries. However, the prices will be substantially lower. The new machines also compare favorably with the new IBM 8370 line, fitting in well above the 9370 model 60, but costing less than the model 20. However, IBM is expected to lower prices when Digital begins volume shipments of its machines in early 1988.