Data General Corporation Desktop Generation Systems

    Brought forward by Data General in the mid 1980s, the Desktop Generation systems are based on the microECLIPSE chipset and span the range from small single- user systems to desktop multi- user minicomputers.

    The entry- level systems, the Model 10 and Model 10/SP, are single- user machines that run RDOS, AOS (on the 10/SP), and are capable of running either MS-DOS or CP/M on an ancillary 8086 processor that's built onto the first CPU board. These systems also have framebuffers that allow graphic displays on a directly- connected dedicated console terminal; both colour and monochrome framebuffers were available for the Model 10.

    The more capable Model 20 and Model 30 systems run DG/RDOS and 16-bit AOS and are controlled by terminals attached via RS-232 lines. These systems lack the ancillary 8086 chip and, hence, cannot run MS-DOS nor CP/M. This is made up for, however, by larger mainstores and more capable operating systems, especially AOS which is a full- featured multi- user operating system that runs on 16-bit DG Eclipse iron.

    16-bit AOS should not be confused with AOS-VS which runs on the Data General MV series of machines and is a full- blown 32-bit platform.

[ Museum Lobby ] [ Museum Catalogue ] [ Carl's Homepage ]

Comments to: crfriend@rcsri.org