A/UX Release 2.0

Tue Mar 20 06:12:39 AEST 1990

Here's today's announcement, downloaded from AppleLink. I've
followed it with the Macintosh IIfx announcement since that is
a fairly serious piece of hardware and certainly something on
which A/UX should be considered.

------------------
A/UX, Version 2.0 and X Window System

A/UX, Version 2.0

A/UX Version 2.0, available in mid-1990, allows users to work with UNIX
through the Macintosh interface and permits simultaneous operation of
Macintosh, X Window and UNIX applications.

Features:

--  Hundreds of existing Macintosh applications run under A/UX.

--  Macintosh, UNIX and X Window applications share the Macintosh desktop.

--  Text may be cut and pasted among Macintosh, UNIX and X Window
    applications.

--  Macintosh-style startup and shutdown simplifies the process of accessing
    a UNIX system.

--  Access to AppleTalk network resources is available through the Chooser.

--  Commando, the UNIX command line builder, runs UNIX utilities using a
    menu, eliminating the need to memorize strings required to invoke
    commands.

--  A mouse-based text editor facilitates access to UNIX text files.

--  Support for 32-bit QuickDraw, provides true color and grayscale
    capabilities.

Compatibility:

--  Runs on the Macintosh SE/30 and all of the Macintosh II family computers.
    The Macintosh II requires a Paged Memory Management Unit (PMMU).

--  Supports the new graphics cards and the future graphics coprocessor.

Availability:

--  Available in mid-1990 on the Macintosh IIfx, IIci and IIcx on a
    pre-loaded internal 80MB hard disk.

--  Also available on Apple tape cartridge, floppy disk, and CD-ROM disk.

--  Right-to-Copy and Right-to-Update products will be offered to large
    institutions.

--  User's, Programmer's and Administrator's manual bundles will provide
    the essential information about A/UX 2.0 and UNIX development tools.

X Window System for A/UX 2.0

A new version of X Window system will be available for use with A/UX, Version
2.0 in mid-1990.  Two environments are available to the user: MacX and X11.

MacX

This environment allows X Window, Macintosh and UNIX applications to share the
MultiFinder desktop.  X client applications may appear on the desktop in their
own window, or all X applications may be contained in one window.  MacX is
configurable and provides access to the X Window System for both experienced
and inexperienced X and UNIX users.

X11

This environment is the standard Version 11 Release 4 from MIT, with enhanced
quality and performance.  X11 displays only X client applications without
access to the Macintosh desktop or applications.

Manuals will accompany X Window System for A/UX to explain the X Window System,
Installation and use of MacX and X11.  Manuals will also be available
separately.

Site licensing will be available for customers who meet the conditions
described in Apple's site licensing agreement, as well as a Right-To-Copy
product.

New Product Descriptions
New Product Highlights
3/19/90
------------------
Macintosh IIfx

The new Macintosh IIfx is the fastest Macintosh for all existing Macintosh
applications.  It offers more power with CAD/CAM, scientific data analysis and
visualization, commercial publishing, financial management, multimedia
production and artificial intelligence and enables the user to work with
interactive 3-D animation and photographic quality image manipulation.

Features:

-  40Mhz 68030 microprocessor and 68882 floating-point coprocessor.  The
Macintosh IIfx runs up to 100 percent faster than the Macintosh IIci, and
up to 300 percent faster than the Macintosh IIcx and Macintosh IIx computers.

-  Built-in 32K static RAM (SRAM) cache stores the processor's most
frequently used instructions.

-  dedicated SCSI DMA (Small Computer Systems Interface/Direct Memory
Access) channel which reduces the workload of the main processor and
speeds performance of the SCSI bus.

-  dedicated I/O processors increase system efficiency.

-  six NuBus expansion slots can Accommodate multiple video, communications,
networking, and other expansion cards.

-  Processor Direct Slot (PDS) allows direct access to the system bus.

-  six built-in ports:  two serial ports, two Apple Desktop Bus ports,
stereo sound jack, and a DB-25 SCSI interface.

-  512K ROM on SIMM includes support for 32-bit QuickDraw and A/UX-supported
functions such as: 32-bit addressing and virtual memory, which extends the
computer's internal memory by transparently treating the hard disk as
though it were RAM.

System Software

Macintosh operating system version 6.0.5 (shipping with the Macintosh IIfx and
available to all users in June 1990) is required for the Macintosh IIfx.
Note:  Although System 6.0.5 is compatible with all previous Macintosh models,
it offers no increased functionality over previous versions.

DRAM Memory Upgrades

Both 4MB and 8MB DRAM memory expansion kits are now available from Apple for
the Macintosh IIfx.
Note:  In order to provide increased performance, DRAM for the Macintosh IIfx
is shipped on 64-pin (rather than 30-pin) DRAM SIMMs (Single In-line Memory
Modules).  These components have never been used by Apple before.  Therefore,
you cannot use DRAM from any other system in the Macintosh IIfx, nor can you
use Macintosh IIfx DRAM in any other Macintosh system.

Parity Support

4MB and 8MB Memory upgrade kits for parity*-based Macintosh IIfx systems are
available for ordering now, and will ship in June, 1990.  Support for parity
has been included in both the Macintosh IIfx and the Macintosh IIci to address
the needs of customers (such as those in the federal government and medical
industry) who require an added degree of assurance in the handling of
critical information.
 *Note:  Parity must be ordered at the time the Macintosh IIfx is ordered; the
system cannot be upgraded at a later date to include support for parity.

Available Configurations

The Macintosh IIfx is available now (3/90) in the following configurations:

- Internal 1.4MB SuperDriveM-*, floppy-based system with 4MB RAM
- Internal 1.4MB SuperDrive, 80MB internal hard drive with 4MB RAM
- Internal 1.4MB SuperDrive, 160MB internal hard drive with 4MB RAM

Macintosh IIfx CPU (4MB)
Order #M5510LL/A
Macintosh IIfx HD 80 CPU (4MB)
Order #M5515LL/A
Macintosh IIfx HD 160 CPU (4MB)
Order #M5520LL/A
Macintosh IIfx HD 80 Parity CPU (4MB)
(avail. June, 1990)
Order #M5524LL/A
Macintosh IIfx 4MB Mem. Exp. Kit
Order #M0376LL/A
Macintosh IIfx 4MB Parity Mem. Exp. Kit
(avail. June, 1990)
Order #M0377LL/A

New Product Descriptions
New Product Highlights
3/19/90
------------------
-- 

William Roberts                 ARPA: liam at cs.qmw.ac.uk
Queen Mary & Westfield College  UUCP: liam at qmw-cs.UUCP
Mile End Road                   AppleLink: UK0087
LONDON, E1 4NS, UK              Tel:  01-975 5250 (Fax: 01-980 6533)