[Info-vax] Chinese Alpha?

[David Froble]

glen herrmannsfeldt wrote:

>> Wonder how fast the last of the microvaxen would have been with
>> similar upgrades ?...
> 
> There were problems with VAX. The 512 byte page was already too
> small just about when it came out. The very large number of different
> instruction sizes, and the complication with decoding them, also
> made it hard. (I believe somewhat worse than IA32.)
> 
> -- glen

I believe that the N-VAX microprocessor addressed those issues rather well.  It was (if my 
memory and facts are correct) basically a RISC processor that implemented the VAX 
instruction set.

There are also some issues with expectations.  I have no idea what type of processing you 
do, or are referring to when you claim there were problems with VAX.  However, as the 
current unknown demand for old MV3100 systems seems to indicate, there are those who could 
get along just fine with the then current levels of performance.

It makes me wonder how the product line would have prospered if DEC has made the business 
decision to continue the VAX product line, not the large ones, (but I could be mistaken 
with that choice), just the MV3100 type of systems.  Go for low cost to manufacture, 
generic components, upgrades as computer components changes, ie; S-ATA disks, memory 
SIMMs, power supplies, and such.  Sell the OS at some minimal price, or just include it 
with the system.  Perhaps it would have stopped some customers from migrating to PC based 
systems, if they had some confidence in being able to continue to get new systems for 
their needs.

For those who have seen a MV3100 model 98, you might notice some similarities to a 
mid-tower PC ....