Hewlett-Packard Co has re-vamped its Kayak PC workstation line using Intel’s Pentium II Deschutes processors and 440BX chipset launched last month (CI No 3,390), adding a new line of low-end systems and upgrading its existing XU and XW workstations. The new XA-s workstations fit in above the existing SA standalone workstations, but add room for expansion, both in processors, memory and peripherals. The XA-s can be bought with Pentium II chips clocked from 266MHz up to the new 350 and 400MHz parts, and eventually beyond, according to HP. Sold as single processors, the machines can be upgraded to dual processor capability, although HP admits there aren’t currently many applications out there to take advantage of dual processing. The new systems also include HP Maxilife, an embedded monitoring system that includes an LCD display to monitor system components. They take up to 768MB of SDRAM and 7,200 RPM Ultra SCSI disks. Estimated street prices start at $2,200. The high-end XU range, and 3D OpenGL graphics systems have also been upgraded to support the new chips. HP says it took somewhat longer to come to market with Pentium II-based systems than some of its competitors as it designed its own motherboards and carried out extensive testing. Earlier this month, HP reported that Kayak sales had fallen off in anticipation of new Pentium II- based systems. Next month, Intel launches its Xeon Slot 2 processors, which means HP will have another round of Kayak product releases to go through.
