DeskStation Technology

DeskStation Technology
Company type	Private
Industry	Computer hardware
Founded	1989
Founder	Don Peterson
Defunct	2000
Fate	Acquired by Tri-M Technologies
Headquarters	Lenexa, Kansas, United States
Products	RISC-based computer workstations tailored for Windows NT

DeskStation Technology was a producer of RISC-powered computer workstations tailored to operate on Windows NT, with its headquarters located in Lenexa, Kansas. Established by Don Peterson in 1989, the firm remained active until approximately 2000.

AMD Am29000-based systems

In 1991, DeskStation introduced a series of motherboards built around the AMD Am29000 processor. These included the Model 162, equipped with a 16 MHz CPU delivering 9 MIPS at a price of $2,495, and the Model 252, which featured a 25 MHz CPU producing 14 MIPS and cost $3,495.

MIPS-based systems

Towards the end of 1991, DeskStation unveiled the IceStation 3000 workstation, powered by a MIPS R3000A processor and designed to meet the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) standards. This system incorporated both ISA and TURBOchannel expansion buses and supported a variety of peripherals. Available configurations included CPUs running at 25 MHz and 33 MHz, with prices ranging from $4,995 to $7,995. While this model did not allow CPU upgrades, plans were underway for a subsequent EISA-bus system featuring upgradeable processors.

In 1993, the Evolution RISC PC lineup was launched by DeskStation, comprising rPC/40 and rPC/44 models based on R4000 and R4400 CPUs. These workstations came standard with 16 MB of RAM, secondary cache memory, S3 Graphics adapters, and were paired with 14-inch displays. Priced between $3,995 and $4,995, they were positioned to rival Intel 80486 Windows NT systems. The premium rPC 444e/100 variant offered enhancements such as up to 64 MB RAM, a 21-inch monitor, and a 500 MB SCSI hard drive for $9,995. Although compliant with the ARC framework, these machines also incorporated conventional PC elements like an EISA bus supported by proprietary chipsets managing secondary cache.

Later that year, DeskStation rolled out the LogiCore chipset alongside Tyne-branded Windows NT workstations that merged MIPS processors with ISA and VESA interfaces. The entry-level Tyne V4600 model featured a 100 MHz R4600 CPU and expandable memory up to 256 MB, VGA graphics output, all priced at $2,995. More advanced units such as the V4433 and V4450 sported faster R4400 CPUs clocked at 133 MHz and 150 MHz respectively, offered increased RAM capacity and storage options including SCSI-2 devices and CD-ROM drives, bundled with 17-inch monitors for prices reaching $10,495.

DeskStation briefly collaborated with NewTek to create a hardware acceleration card for rendering tasks in Video Toaster and LightWave 3D software. The resulting Video Toaster Screamer incorporated four R4400 CPUs but was discontinued following limited distribution. Afterwards, DeskStation launched the Raptor series: the original Raptor featured dual R4400 processors priced at $13,900; the Raptor Plus upgraded these to faster R4600 CPUs costing $16,900. The Raptor II workstation combined a single 133 MHz R4600 CPU with increased RAM and peripheral support for $10,000. These models provided OpenGL acceleration through Oki’s TRIANGL graphics card under Windows NT.

This suite of products highlighted DeskStation’s commitment to offering competitively priced high-performance Windows NT-compatible RISC workstations throughout the early to mid-1990s.

Alpha-based systems

When Windows NT was adapted for the Alpha architecture, DeskStation introduced the Uniflex platform, which allowed CPUs and system components to be interchanged either during manufacturing or by the end-user. This design supported both MIPS and Alpha processors, facilitating upgrades from MIPS to Alpha CPUs. The platform was built around the PCI bus architecture. These features were incorporated into the Raptor series, including models such as the Raptor 3 and several variants of the Raptor Reflex.

In 1997, DeskStation unveiled the Ruffian RPX range of workstations and servers centered on the Digital Semiconductor 21174 core logic chipset. Initially compatible with the 600 MHz Alpha 21164 CPU, these machines were designed to accommodate faster processors from Digital, Mitsubishi, or Samsung. The motherboards provided six PCI expansion slots, Ultra-Wide SCSI support, memory capacity up to 768 MB RAM, and a 2 MB high-speed synchronous cache. Standard setups featured Matrox Millennium graphics cards, with options to upgrade to S3 Graphics or OpenGL-capable video cards. Pricing began at $5,995. DeskStation adopted an OEM approach by marketing RPX 164-2 motherboards to other system manufacturers at $1,350 each and sought to broadly license its technology.

By 1998, DeskStation had licensed its motherboard designs and chipset technology to Samsung, a licensee of DEC Alpha processors, as part of efforts to broaden Windows NT platforms built on Alpha CPUs. This collaboration followed DeskStation’s prior development of systems utilizing Samsung’s Alpha 21164 processor modules.

Fate

During the late 1990s, DeskStation encountered difficult market conditions. Although the company expanded its facilities and extended its lease in 1996, it entered a period of "financial turmoil" in 1997 due to declining system prices—partly a result of Digital reducing prices on Alpha motherboards. This downturn caused the cancellation of a planned initial public offering. In 1998, DeskStation reduced its manufacturing operations to concentrate on "customised computer products." The company was acquired in 2000 by Singapore-based Tri-M Technologies. Following this, founder Don Peterson established Framecast Communications, offering advertising-supported email, scheduling, chat, and search services targeted at university websites.

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