Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.tech,americast.usa-today.tech From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: tech Tue, Aug 25 1992 Date: Tue, 25 Aug 92 04:24:46 EDT Message-ID: 08-25 0000 DECISIONLINE: Technology USA TODAY Update Aug. 25, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network DEC JOINS PC PRICE WAR: Digital Equipment Monday fired its best shot in the personal-computer price war, offering six new PC models starting at $899. Digital, which has been buying PCs from other manufacturers, says it plans to make components for the new PCs at its Taiwan factory, then assemble and test the products at seven worldwide locations, including Springfield, Mass. IBM EXPECTED TO UNVEIL NEW LINE: Digital Equipment has become the latest computer maker to unveil a low-cost PC line, following a similar announcement in June by Houston-based Compaq Computer. IBM is expected to unveil a low-cost PC line sometime next week. Digital's PCs start at $899 for a model powered by Intel's 386 chip and go up to $2,199 for a model powered by Intel's latest 486DX2 chip. HUGHES COMPLETES ACQUISITION: Hughes Aircraft bought General Dynamics' missile operations Monday in a $450 million stock swap. The General Motors' subsidiary traded 21.5 million shares of GM common stock for two divisions that employ 9,000 workers. The sale was announced in May as part of General Dynamics' efforts to concentrate on warplanes, rockets, tanks and nuclear submarines. CHIP MARKET IS STRONG: Investors in makers of computer chips could benefit from the price wars in the personal computer market and a recovering economy. Influential stock analyst Elaine Garzarelli, among others, is touting the group. Orders for chips have been strong this summer and likely will get stronger. Book-to-bill ratio is 1.09, meaning orders in the short term are outpacing sales by 9%. CHIP REVENUE LOOKING UP: Analysts' projections of computer-chip industry revenue growth run from 15% to 25% next year, after expected growth of 5% this year. "We're in an industry upturn," says County NatWest Securities' Tony Langham. Consumers are snapping up low-cost PCs and are buying more software with sophisticated graphics capability. Also, reserves are low. New demand will boost orders. JOSTENS BUYS WICAT SYSTEMS: Jostens Inc. said Monday it has acquired Wicat Systems Inc. Wicat Systems will be combined with Jostens Learning Corporation (JLC), a Jostens subsidiary, which provides computer-based instructional technology for elementary and secondary schools. SHL SYSTEMHOUSE OPENS OFFICE: SHL Systemhouse Inc. said Monday it has opened an office in Raleigh, N.C., as part of its expansion in mid-Atlantic states. The office will provide computer consulting, systems integration, operations and technology deployment services to companies in the Carolinas, Florida and Georgia. Systemhouse designs and operates computer systems for clients. PACESETTER SOFTWARE GETS OK: Siemens Pacesetter Inc., a provider of advanced technology for implantable cardiac rhythm management devices, said its newest PDx cardiac pacing system software has received Food and Drug Administration approval. The PDx model 3038 program offers physicians additional patient and pacing system diagnostic functions. FLYING FORTRESS LANDS: MicroProse Software Inc. has announced the release of B-17 Flying Fortress. B-17 is a re-creation of hazardous World War II missions over occupied Europe. The simulation features authentic flight dynamics and a World War II atmosphere, the firm says. It is available for IBM-compatible computers and will be available for the Commodore Amiga later this year. The price: $69.95. MARKETING CONFERENCE TO BE HELD: CMP Publications' Direct Marketing Services will hold a conference and exhibit devoted exclusively to direct marketing for high technology companies. High Tech Direct '92:East will take place on Sept. 15 and 16 at The Westin Copley Place in Boston. AMTECH, MOTOROLA TO TEAM: Amtech Corp. said it is forming a joint venture with Motorola Inc. to develop its next generation of electronic toll-collection systems. Under the agreement, Motorola will provide initial development funding for the venture, which would be controlled equally by the two companies. Financial terms were not disclosed. GEC-MARCONI TO ANNOUNCE DEAL: GEC-Marconi InFlight Systems Inc. says it will announce Tuesday a $100-million contract with United Airlines to provide its fleet of international Boeing aircraft with interactive video systems located at each seat. Except for engines and airframes, the order is the largest in United Airlines history, GEC-Marconi Inflight says. Technology Editor: Ed Kelleher. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM