Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbatt!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!convex!smu!sampson From: sampson@smu.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Mainframes vs micros Message-ID: <53900006@smu> Date: Mon, 29-Dec-86 02:13:00 EST Article-I.D.: smu.53900006 Posted: Mon Dec 29 02:13:00 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 31-Dec-86 01:37:19 EST References: <653@imsvax.UUCP> Lines: 24 Nf-ID: #R:imsvax.UUCP:653:smu:53900006:000:854 Nf-From: smu!sampson Dec 29 01:13:00 1986 It appears that the new 32-bit microcomputers will have the CPU power of many smaller mainframes. The weakest link will be I/O. The disk access is much too slow for any moderate number of users. There is no doubt about the impact of PC's on the mainframe and especially minicomputer market. But, as long as there are mundane jobs that must be done in quanity, such as gas bills and payroll, there will always be mainframe shops around. In terms of micro users sharing data, the best method of networking pc's is too hook them all to a mainframe with a large secondary storage capacity. I wouldn't trade my micro even for a 3090, if I had to do ALL my work on the 3090, but there is a place for both. Not only will there always be mainframes, there will always be COBOL! joel sampson southern methodist university convex!smu!sampson