In the name of multiprocessing on the desktop, the company’s new buzzword, Sun Microsystems Computer Corp last week went ahead as expected and unveiled its latest Sparcstation 10s (CI No 2,151). The additions include what it calls the fastest volume desktop on the market, the high-end Model 512MP, as well as the industry’s lowest cost multiprocessor, the new Model 402MP. Sun also cut prices on Sparcstation 10 models 41, 52 and 54 by up to 21% and up to 25% on the model 30, which now costs $14,000. The 41 is down to $22,745, the 512 $33,745 and the 54, $45,745. The expected price reductions of 40% mentioned last week are in fact price-performance improvements. Sun found out immediately before it was due to announce the new boxes that it would not be able to deliver four-processor TAB-packaged 50MHz SuperSparc modules in volumes by this summer. That belated discovery caused Sun to cancel the intended roll-out of the expected 514 model. That machine has now gone back to being called the Model 54 and will appear as a 45MHz TAB-packaged four-way, as had already been intended at one time. The dual-processor 512, once called the Model 52, will come out with 50MHz chips which perform at 65MHz to 68MHz Specint92 and 80MHz to 85MHz Specfp92. Sun has added the Model 402MP, the industry’s cheapest multiprocessor at $24,745 featuring a dual 40MHz CPUs, 36Kb on-chip cache per CPU, 32Mb main memory and 1Gb storage. It also has a new entry-level desktop configuration, the 30LC, which it calls the lowest cost multiprocessing-capable machine available at $16,000. It includes a 36MHz CPU and an upgraded 16-inch mid-range colour monitor. The Model 40 has a single 40MHz CPU with 36Kb on-chip cache per CPU, 32Mb main meory and 1Gb storage for $20,745. Shipments of all models are to begin this quarter.