Superminicomputer

A superminicomputer, or supermini, is, by definition, “a minicomputer with high performance compared to ordinary minicomputers.” The term was an invention used from the mid-1970s mainly to distinguish the emerging 32-bit minis from the classical 16-bit minicomputers. The term is now largely obsolete—like minicomputers as such—but still remains of interest for students/researchers of computer history. Note that superminicomputers should not be confused with the similarly named minisupercomputers, which is a class of supercomputer.

Significant superminis

• Norsk Data Nord-5, first supermini, 1972
• Norsk Data Nord-50, 1975
• Interdata 7/32, 8/32 later taken over by Perkin-Elmer
• Systems Engineering Laboratories 32/55, 1976
• DEC VAX, 1978
• Data General Eclipse MV/8000, 1980
• Gould Electronics Powernode 9080
• Gould Electronics NP-1
• Norsk Data ND-500, 1981
• Norsk Data ND-570/CX, fastest supermini, 1983, at 7.1 Whetstone MIPS
• Prime Computer 750