Boundless Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SunRiver Corporation, today announced it's intention to use the StrongARM high-performance microprocessor from Digital Semiconductor, a Digital Equipment Corporation business in its upcoming line of next-generation network computers. Boundless' second-generation network computers will be demonstrated this quarter to key partners and customers, and is expected to be available in the first half of 1997.

"The StrongARM microprocessor, with its industry-leading performance and price advantage, is ideal for the next generation of network computers from Boundless," said Bob Porter, chief technical officer for Boundless Technologies. "These network computers will deliver significantly improved performance over current network computers at a lower cost of ownership."

According to Porter, the new line of network computers will perform demanding Java-based operations between 5 and 10 times faster than current Boundless network computer models.

Designed for corporate use, the new Boundless network computers will continue the company's strategy of providing multi-user access to data and applications across a range of popular business environments - Windows (3.x, 95 and NT), the Internet/corporate Intranets, Java applets, UNIX and 3270 legacy systems.

The StrongARM microprocessor offers industry-leading performance with speed options ranging from 100 Mhz/115 Dhrystone MIPS to 233 Mhz/270 Dhrystone MIPS. Input voltage beginning at 1.65 volts enables low power dissipation.

William N. Johnson, vice president, Digital Semiconductor Business Segments, stated: "Boundless Technologies has expertise in delivering network-centric solutions that combine many of the capabilities of PCs with the low administration, low total cost of ownership advantages of thin-client devices. StrongARM chips provide leading performance and helps achieve aggressive pricing to the Boundless product line."

In August, Boundless Technologies rolled out its first network computer line, including models TC, XL and XLC. The line provides the broadest access to business environments and is optimised for networking and graphics performance. In particular, the XL and XLC models support advanced multimedia capabilities, such as digital video, optional audio and telephony.

Boundless Technologies is demonstrating its current network computer line in two booths at Comdex Fall in Las Vegas, USA: Tricord Systems (Microsoft Pavilion, booth L2212-T1) and Baron, McDonald and Wells (Intelligent Systems, booths L2935/L2937).

Digital Semiconductor, a Digital Equipment Corporation business headquartered in Hudson, Mass., designs, manufactures and markets industry-leading semiconductor products including Alpha microprocessors and PCI chips for networking, bridging and multimedia, plus low-power StrongARM microprocessors under license from Advanced RISC Machines Ltd.

Digital Equipment Corporation is a world leader in open client/server solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide information systems. Digital's Alpha and Intel platforms, storage, network software and services, together with industry-focused solutions from business partners, help organisations compete and win in today's global market place.

SunRiver Corporation holds two strategic and synergistic subsidiaries: Boundless Technologies, Inc. (formerly SunRiver Data Systems) and TradeWave Corporation. Boundless Technologies, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of network computing access devices and software for the Windows, rapidly emerging Internet/Intranet, legacy and UNIX applications markets. TradeWave Corporation provides secure Web access software, Virtual Private Internet (VPI) solutions and electronic commerce consulting services.