Example Intel Systems
"Ming Specials" Release 11

This document describes some of the Intel Architecture systems that Be has been buying recently for internal development and testing use. While not an endorsement of a specific product, you may find the information useful in gauging the kind of systems the BeOS for Intel supports.

This page was last modified on Thursday, December 3, 1998.

Other resources you may find useful in your quest for information about the BeOS for Intel:

BeOS Ready Systems -- Intel
BeOS Probably Compatible List -- Intel
BeOS for Intel FAQ

What follows are the system descriptions of several PC configurations that we've been ordering here at Be, Inc. We affectionately refer to them as "Ming Specials," because Ming Low, our build engineer, specs them, which means they're great systems at great prices.

We generally update the Ming Specials list whenever the pricing of components changes the price of the systems, usually once a month or so. And sometimes, as the market changes, we update the components that make up the systems. If you follow the history of these configurations, you can see that the hardware performance / price ratio goes up very regularly. Welcome to the wonderful world of serious hardware competition!

These are bare bones but complete systems: just add monitor. You may also want to add an audio card, network card, modem card, etc. All systems were quoted to us at the prices indicated, so you can get an idea of what they might cost. All come with a 3 year limited warranty, with 1 year on-site service, from our local PC clone shop:

United Microsystems, Inc.
1180 Miraloma Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
voice: (408) 720-7712
fax: (408) 737-2024
http://www.united-micro.com/

Linda Ye is our Ming Special contact there at United Micro, so if you're interested, be sure to ask for her specifically (and be sure to tell her Ming sent you!).

Important: While the BeOS runs on all of these systems here, it may not run on your slightly differently configured system, if those differences include hardware which is unsupported by the BeOS. Be is not responsible for any purchasing decisions made on this information. Please re-read that sentence.

Note: Prices are subject to change without notice. Usually it's downwards, but component prices occasionally fluctuate upwards, too. Call UMI for a definitive price quotation.

Ming Special #1, version 11 (The Lowball)*

• Intel Atlanta motherboard (440LX chipset)
• Intel Pentium II 333 MHz CPU, cooling fan
• 64 MB SDRAM memory
• Western Digital 4.3 GB Ultra IDE hard drive
• Toshiba 32x CD-ROM drive
• Sony 1.44 floppy disk drive
• Diamond 3D 2000 4 meg graphics card
• Keytronic 104 PS/2 keyboard
• Logitec 3-button Combo Mouseman
• ATX Mid-tower case w/ 230 W power supply

Regular price: US$906.00 (plus tax, shipping if applicable)
Price drop of $59.

Ming Special #2, version 11 (The Doubletime)*

• Tyan S-1692DL motherboard (440LX chipset)
• Dual Intel Pentium II 333 MHz CPUs
• 64 MB SDRAM memory
• Western Digital 4.3 GB Ultra IDE hard drive
• Toshiba 32x CD-ROM drive
• Sony 1.44 floppy disk drive
• Diamond 3D 2000 4 meg graphics card
• Keytronic 104 PS/2 keyboard
• Logitec 3-button Combo Mouseman
• ATX Mid-tower case w/ 230 W power supply

Regular price: US$1,197.00 (plus tax, shipping if applicable)
Price drop of $113.

Ming Special #3, version 5 (The Turbosaurus Rex)*

• Intel Seattle motherboard (440BX chipset, 100MHz system bus)
• Intel Pentium II 350 MHz CPU
• 64 MB PC100 SDRAM memory
• Western Digital 6.4 GB Ultra IDE hard drive
• Toshiba 32x CD-ROM drive
• Sony 1.44 floppy disk drive
• Diamond Viper 3D 330 (RIVA 128) AGP 4 meg graphics card
• Keytronic 104 PS/2 keyboard
• Logitec 3-button Combo Mouseman
• ATX Mid-tower case w/ 230 W power supply

Regular price: US$1,043.00 (plus tax, shipping if applicable)
With a 400 MHz Pentium II: add $135.
With a 450 MHz Pentium II: add $365.
Price drop of $112.

Ming Special #4, version 5 (The TwinTurbo Rex)*

• Tyan S-1832DL motherboard (440BX chipset, 100MHz system bus)
• Dual Intel Pentium II 350 MHz CPUs
• 128 MB PC100 SDRAM memory
• Western Digital 6.4 GB Ultra IDE hard drive
• Toshiba 32x CD-ROM drive
• Sony 1.44 floppy disk drive
• Diamond Viper 3D 330 (RIVA 128) AGP 4 meg graphics card
• Keytronic 104 PS/2 keyboard
• Logitec 3-button Combo Mouseman
• ATX Mid-tower case w/ 230 W power supply

Regular price: US$1,484.00 (plus tax, shipping if applicable)
With dual 400 MHz Pentium IIs: add $270.
With dual 450 MHz Pentium IIs: add $730.
Price drop of $148.