IBM develops faster computers

NEW YORK: International Business Machines Corp. on Monday unveiled new powerful business computers that use advanced chip technologies developed in its own labs to make machines run cooler and faster.

The two computers, running Unix software and designed to power Web-based businesses, are based on microchips using silicon-on-insulator technology, which IBM says allows them to run up to 35 percent faster and cooler than traditional aluminum-wired chips.

The machines, available on April 27, are meant to rival Sun Microsystems Inc. Sun Fire 3800 machines, which were announced last month. The first, known as the p660, starts at $20,000, IBM said. It can be built to run between one to six processors, and can be stacked up in racks in centralized computer centers, where Web and corporate networks are often housed.

The p620 is a smaller tower that can be placed beside a desk in a small business office or corporate branch. It starts at $16,000. IBM also introduced its newest upgrade of its version of the Unix operating system, which it said would allow r management of applications using the Linux operating system that allows the rival systems to coexist on the same machine.

"Now, customers can source applications on Linux and move them quickly and easily to Unix - a growing trend in corporate data centers," said Rod Atkins, general manager of IBM Web servers unit.

(C) Reuters Limited 2001.