Superminicomputer information

A superminicomputer, colloquially supermini, is a high-end minicomputer.^[1] The term is used to distinguish the emerging 32-bit architecture midrange computers introduced in the mid to late 1970s from the classical 16-bit systems that preceded them.^[2]^[3] The development of these computers was driven by the need of applications to address larger memory.^[1] The term midicomputer had been used earlier to refer to these systems.^[4]^[5] Virtual memory was often an additional criteria that was considered for inclusion in this class of system.^[6] The computational speed of these machines was significantly greater than the 16-bit minicomputers and approached the performance of small mainframe computers.^[7] The name has at times been described as a "frivolous" term created by "marketeers" that lacks a specific definition. Describing a class of system has historically been seen as problematic: "In the computer kingdom, taxonomic classification of equipment is more of a black art than a science."^[8] There is some disagreement about which systems should be included in this class. The origin of the name is uncertain.^[1]

As technology improved rapidly the distinction between minicomputer and superminicomputer performance blurred.^[9] Companies that sold mainframe computers began to offer machines in the same price and performance range as superminicomputers.^[10] By the mid-1980s microprocessors with the hardware architecture of superminicomputers were used to produce scientific and engineering workstations.^[11] The minicomputer industry then declined through the early 1990s.^[12] The term is now considered obsolete^[13] but still remains of interest for students/researchers of computer history.

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[Computerworld-1] Cite error: The named reference Computerworld was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Flowers-2] Cite error: The named reference Flowers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Simulators-3] Cite error: The named reference Simulators was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[midi-4] Cite error: The named reference midi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Burr-5] Cite error: The named reference Burr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Storassli-6] Cite error: The named reference Storassli was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Wallich-7] Cite error: The named reference Wallich was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Stiefel-8] Cite error: The named reference Stiefel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Vardalas-9] Cite error: The named reference Vardalas was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[super-10] Cite error: The named reference super was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Joy-11] Cite error: The named reference Joy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Bell-12] Cite error: The named reference Bell was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[OED-13] Cite error: The named reference OED was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

Superminicomputer information

and 21 Related for: Superminicomputer information

Superminicomputer

List of computer size categories

Minicomputer

Midrange computer

Dave Cutler

Operating system

Commodity computing

VEB Robotron

Index register

ARM architecture family

Booting

VAX 8000

Powernode 9080

Digital Equipment Corporation

Gould Electronics

Prime Computer

Pacific Data Images

PLANC

Pyramid Technology

VAX

VAX 4000