The operating system and files could be served from a VAX/VMS server running the company's VAX/VMS Services for MS-DOS software, which went through several name changes, finally becoming Pathworks. Alternatively an optional expansion box containing either 20MB or 40MB hard disk could be purchased which allowed it to operate as a more conventional stand-alone PC.
Original specifications
The basic system contained an 8MHz Intel 80286 CPU with 1 Mbyte of RAM, a 1.2MB RX33 5¼-inch floppy disk drive, a 14-inch (diagonal) amber or green monochrome CRT and a thinwire Ethernet interface all contained in the system unit. It was also provided with a serial printer port and a serial communications port. A separate mouse and LK250 keyboard were used with the device.
As well as the expansion box, an 80287 numeric coprocessor could be ordered as an option, and the memory could be expanded by 2MB with another option to 3MB. In North America, an internal modem was also available.
DECstation
It was superseded by the DECstation 200 and 300 in January 1989.
References
VAXmate technical reference(PDF). Digital Equipment Corporation. 1987. part number EK-PC500-TD-001. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
