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IBM System/370 Model 148

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Guy Harris (talk | contribs) at 09:20, 29 July 2023 (A "virtualized" Model 145 is a Model 145 with the microcode update that makes it use the TLB hardware to do DAT rather than just to do some weird stuff in the "run DOS jobs under OS" software, and "virtualizing" the Model 135 was also just a microcode update. Presumably, the "-3" refers to the -3 versions of the CPU. Update to reflect that.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
IBM System/370 Model 148
IBM System/370 Model 148
ManufacturerInternational Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
Product familySystem/370
Release dateJune 30, 1976 (1976-06-30)
DiscontinuedNovember 1, 1983
MemoryOne or two megabytes of high-density integrated monolithic processor storage
WebsiteOfficial website IBM Archives

The IBM System/370 Model 148 (and the Model 138[1]) were both announced June 30, 1976[2]

Not only were they both more powerful and better in price/performance than the IBM System/370 Model 145 with a 3145-3 CPU and the IBM System/370 Model 135 with a 3135-3 CPU, respecitfly, but lower in price.[3][4]

The 148 and 138,[5] both of which were withdrawn November 1, 1983, were marketed as followups for those wishing to upgrade, respectively, their 370/145 and 370/135 systems.

Expanded capabilities

The 148 had four times the reloadable control storage of the 145,[6] enabling or enhancing features such as:

  • APL Assist[7]
  • Extended control program support - going beyond the language-specific APL Assist, this had wider scope, reducing CPU cycles needed to run the operating system.[8]

A new model of the IBM 3203 printer family, the Model 4, was announced. Rated at 1200 Lines/Minutes, it was intended to provide already-available 1200 LPM printing, but in a more compact form.

Field upgrades

Sometimes known as in-the-field upgrades,[9] this is a capability that even recently was not universal.[10]

IBM could upgrade a 370/145 that had been field-upgraded to a 145-2, resulting in a 145-3. This was a major accomplishment, compared to what is known as a "forklift upgrade" out with the old, in with the new, often consuming valuable time.[11] [12]

Marketing considerations

An industry research firm said "may be described as early 380s programmed to act like 370s"[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "System/370 Model 138". IBM Archives. IBM. 23 January 2003.
  2. ^ "System/370 Model 148". IBM Archives. IBM. 23 January 2003.
  3. ^ a b "IBM 370/138, 148 Really 'Early 380s'? Users May Have Jump on Upgrades". Computerworld. July 5, 1976. p. 2.
  4. ^ $350,000 for a 138 having 500K of memory, vs. $721,500 for a 135-3 with 500K - less than half the price!
  5. ^ described as "mediumpowered System/370 computers" "I.B.M. Cutting Prices 20% on 2 Computers". The New York Times. March 2, 1978.
  6. ^ 128K vs. 32K
  7. ^ a Microcode-based feature that allowe for faster execution than a software-only approach.
  8. ^ up to 20% for OS/VS1, up to 55% for VM/CMS.
  9. ^ "Is it possible to upgrade a bCX1-R to a bCX1-CR in the field? (upgrade router to controller / router)" - http://buildingskb.schneider-electric.com/view.php?AID=7836
  10. ^ "I am in the early stages of designing the TMS320F28377S into a new product and I would like to build in the field upgrade capability..." - https://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/c2000/f/171/t/477654?Firmware-upgrade-in-the-filed-TMS320F2837xS-Delfino-Microcontrollers
  11. ^ "How to overcome the infamous forklift upgrade challenge | Computerworld". www.computerworld.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-19.
  12. ^ "Definition of forklift upgrade".
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