IBM System/370 Model 148

{{Infobox information appliance

| name = IBM System/370 Model 148

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| logo = File:IBM logo.svg

| image = IBM System370 model 148 (I197911).jpg

| caption = IBM System/370 Model 148

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| manufacturer = International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)

| family = System/370

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| releasedate = {{Start date|1976|06|30}}

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| discontinued = November 1, 1983

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| memory = One or two megabytes of high-density integrated monolithic processor storage

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The IBM System/370 Model 148 (and the Model 138{{cite web

|url=https://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/mainframe/mainframe_PP3138.html

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311002150/http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/mainframe/mainframe_PP3138.html

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=March 11, 2005

|title=System/370 Model 138|website=IBM Archives|date=23 January 2003|publisher=IBM}}) were both announced June 30, 1976{{cite web

|url=https://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/mainframe/mainframe_PP3148.html

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311002817/http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/mainframe/mainframe_PP3148.html

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=March 11, 2005

|title=System/370 Model 148|website=IBM Archives|date=23 January 2003|publisher=IBM}}

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, respectively, but lower in price.$350,000 for a 138 having 500K of memory, vs. $721,500 for a 135-3 with 500K - less than half the price!

The 148 and 138,described as "medium-powered System/370 computers" {{cite news

|newspaper=The New York Times

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/02/archives/ibm-cutting-prices-20-on-2-computers.html

|title=I.B.M. Cutting Prices 20% on 2 Computers

|date=March 2, 1978}} both of which were withdrawn November 1, 1983, were marketed as followups for those wishing to upgrade, respectively, their 370/145 and 370/135 systems.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 145,128K vs. 32K enabling or enhancing features such as:

  • APL Assista microcode-based feature that allowed for faster execution than a software-only approach.
  • Extended Control Program Support - going beyond the language-specific APL Assist, this had wider scope, reducing CPU cycles needed to run the operating system.up to 20% for OS/VS1, up to 55% for VM/CMS.

The 3148 (and the 3138) had a built in service processor, aka known as an IOC, this service processor could directly attach a 3203 printer. The IOC also drives an IBM 3277 display console, whereas the older 3145 used an IBM 3215 typewriter console.

A new model of the IBM 3203 printer family, the Model 4, was announced. Rated at 1200 lines/minute (LPM), 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,"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 this is a capability that even recently was not universal.

"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

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3058252/data-storage/how-to-overcome-the-infamous-forklift-upgrade-challenge.html |title=How to overcome the infamous forklift upgrade challenge {{!}} Computerworld |website=www.computerworld.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419032058/http://www.computerworld.com/article/3058252/data-storage/how-to-overcome-the-infamous-forklift-upgrade-challenge.html |archive-date=2016-04-19}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/68928/forklift-upgrade|title = Definition of forklift upgrade}}

Marketing considerations

An industry research firm said "may be described as early 380s programmed to act like 370s"{{cite news

|newspaper=Computerworld

|title=IBM 370/138, 148 Really 'Early 380s'? Users May Have Jump on Upgrades

|date=July 5, 1976 |page=2

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pGJK0ayV3S8C}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

{{IBM System/370 line}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:IBM System 370 Model 148}}

Category:IBM System/360 mainframe line

Category:Computer-related introductions in 1976