VAXmate
| Company type | Personal computer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | Rainbow 100 |
| Founded | September 1986 |
| Successor | DECstation 200 and 300 series |
| Products | Diskless personal computer, expansion unit with hard drive |
VAXmate was a personal computer compatible with the IBM PC/AT, launched by Digital Equipment Corporation in September 1986 as the follow-up to the Rainbow 100. It gained recognition as the first commercially available diskless personal computer.
OS and files
The VAXmate primarily functioned by linking to a VAX/VMS server through Digital's Pathworks software (previously known as VAX/VMS Services for MS-DOS), which facilitated centralized operating system and file management. Users could also opt for an expansion unit equipped with either a 20 MB or 40 MB hard drive, enabling standalone PC operation.
Original specifications
Equipped with an Intel 80286 processor running at 8 MHz, the system came with 1 MB of RAM, expandable to 3 MB. It featured a 1.2 MB RX33 5¼-inch floppy disk drive and a 14-inch amber or green monochrome CRT display. Connectivity options included Thinwire Ethernet (10BASE2), parallel printer and serial ports, along with mouse and LK250 keyboard peripherals. Additional enhancements offered were an Intel 80287 numeric coprocessor and, for North American markets, an internal modem.
DECstation
In January 1989, the VAXmate was succeeded by the DECstation 200 and 300 series.
Notes