IBM ZAPS PS/2 PREMIUM
UPGRADES WITH BLUE LIGHTNING CHIP

IBM started shipping updated versions of its PS/2 Premium 56 and 57
systems. The long awaited feature increased processor performance and
better graphics.

Both models use the 25/75 486SLC3 ship, IBM's internally developed 32-bit
Blue Lightning processor. The chip features 16KB of on-chip cache and
improves processor-intensive, non-floating-point application performance
anywhere from 40 percent to 424 percent, depending on which of the older
models it's replacing, IBM said.

Users who wish to upgrade to the new processors may buy a Processor Upgrade
Card fro $535. It works in the older PS/2 56 and 57 SX, SLC and SLC2
models. The SLC2, used in IBM's previous PS/2s, is a 16-bit clock doubled
chip.

Graphics are based on XGA2, a faster, less expensive version of XGA.

The 56 comes with three slots; the 57 has five. Both come with 8MB of
memory and feature built-in SCSI controllers.

Only the 57 is available with a 540MB drive; both systems can be ordered
with hard drives of 170MB, 245MB or 340MB.

A model 57 configured with a 540MB hard drive retails for $3,065.

A model 56 configured with 8MB of RAM and a 170MB hard disk lists for
$2,300.

IBM also offers diskless models configured with Token Ring or Ethernet
cards for users who need secure, network-ready systems. The 4MB models
list for $1,865 with Ethernet and $2,200 for Token Ring.

The PS/2 M57, a multimedia system, comes with the Mwave-based Audiovation
sound card, a double-speed CD-ROM drive, microphone, and speaker. With a
245MB drive, the system lists for $3,465. Versions of the multimedia
system with larger hard drives are also available.

The company has still not determined when it will ship the PS/2 76 and 77,
which have been held up by technical problems with a Micro Channel
controller chip.

However, the 56 and 57 reinforce IBM's commitment to the MCA bus, said Dave
Andonian, general manager of the Premium systems brand.

IBM headquarters are in Armonk, NY and can be reached at 800-772-2227

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