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From: dsmith@hplabsc.UUCP (David Smith)
Newsgroups: net.micro,net.micro.atari,net.rumor
Subject: Re: Atari to introduce TT?
Message-ID: <36@hplabsc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 14-Jan-86 11:57:22 EST
Article-I.D.: hplabsc.36
Posted: Tue Jan 14 11:57:22 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 17-Jan-86 01:47:31 EST
References: <4759@alice.UUCP> <33@mit-vax.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA
Lines: 64
Xref: watmath net.micro:13498 net.micro.atari:2366 net.rumor:1208

>  	A friend just told me he was expecting Atari to introduce a 
>"TT" line of computers- the "TT" standing for "thirty-two/thirty-two", using
>  ...
>	Anyone else heard of this beast? (Post replies to net.micro.atari,

From Electronic Engineering Times, Jan. 6, 1986:

	Atari Preps 32-Bit Unix Workstations
	    Mulls 68K, WE32100

Atari Corp. is ready to light the fuse on a series of high-performance,
low-cost computer workstations.

The multitasking computer workstations may sell for about $1,000.  They
will have screen resolution in the megapixel range and may use either or
both the Motorola 68000 family or AT&T's WE32100 chip set.

Prototypes of the new workstation systems are said to be working now.
Production could commence before the second quarter.

Atari had a less-than-nine-month design cycle for its 68000-based ST
system.  It is already well-recognized as a serious contender in producing
68000-based desktop computers for between $500 and $1,000.
[Serious contender?  Who else is contending? -- DRS]

The $800 512k ST system is gaining momentum as it pursues Apple's
Macintosh, and gradually outpaces Commodore's Amiga system in installed
units.  While company chairman Jack Tramiel boasted last January that he
would sell several million STs in 1985, analysts believe Atari will chalk
up eight-month sales figures ranging from 125,000 to 200,000 STs.

			The AT&T Connection

The majority of these STs are in Europe.  The STs went on sale there two
months ahead of the United States, where FCC radiation regulations were
being met.  

Last spring, Atari's engineers were keen on National Semiconductor's 32000
family of micros.  That enthusiasm waned when designers found that compiler
and system software for the 32000 family gave the prototypes little more
clout than the 68000-based 520ST.

The next system candidates sported a 68000 air.  Atari has built 68010- and
68020-based systems that are accommodating to existing ST software while
offering the potential for true multitasking capabilities in the future.

But Atari designers also are very taken with workstations designed around
AT&T Technologies' WE32100 processor.  Prototype workstations with AT&T
megabit-RAM chips are being polished as entry-level Unix workstations.

Coincidentally, AT&T has been scouting for both a design and a manufacturer
capable of delivering a low-cost system to better spread the gospel of its
Unix System V.  The Atari workstation design could neatly fill the bill.

Last summer, AT&T managers described as "unfounded" reports that they were
courting Apple, AT&T [sic] and Commodore for a low-end personal computer.
AT&T admits having had talks with each of the 68000-desktop micro makers.
But the topic at that time was not workstations.  The talks revolved around
the personal computer offerings of each.

----------------------- End of article --------------------

		David Smith
		H. P. Laboratories