3Station
<computer, networking> The archetypal {diskless workstation},
developed by {Bob Metcalfe} at {3Com} and first available in
1986/1987.
The 3Station/2E had a 10 {MHz} {80286} {processor}, 1 {MB} of
{RAM} (expandable to 5 MB), {VGA} compatible graphics with 256
{KB} of {video RAM}, and integrated {AUI}/{BNC} network
{transceivers} for {LAN} access.
The product used a single {printed-circuit board} with four
custom {ASICs}. It had no {floppy disk drive} or {hard disk},
it was booted from a {server} and stored all {end-user}
{files} there.
3Com advertised "significant cost savings" due to the
3Station's ease of installation and low maintenance (this
would now be referred to under the banner of "{TCO}").
The 3Station cost somewhere between an {IBM PC} {clone} and an
IBM PC of the day. It was not commercially successful.
(2000-07-05)