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The Digital Equipment Corporation DEC Multia and Jensen systems are interesting for where they led, rather than for what they were. Which was variously problematic, as happens with many early designs.
<voice=“James Burke”>
<voice=“James Burke”>
The legacy of Multia can be traced to modern thin clients, and to tablet and phone computing hardware designs.
Multia used the DECchip 21066 system-on-a-chip SoC Alpha design, moving more parts of a computer onto the chip with the processor, and some of the ideas and concepts and some of the staff through PA Semi to Apple and the A14 and M1 SoC Arm processors. 
With processors and displays cheaper and more capable than 21066, thin clients are endemic, used as ATMs, cash registers, and cars. And in higher-end phones and tablets.
Approximately every product shipped—past a hammer
— now contains a microprocessor, too.
Approximately every product shipped—past a hammer
— now contains a microprocessor, too.
For Jensen, the path forward from the DECpc AXP 150 and DEC 2000 series systems is more direct, as the PC-based I/O and parts and designs of Jensen led directly to the designs of DEC AlphaServer and AlphaStation systems, transitioning away from the DEC-legacy I/O.
Though Jensen itself did have one other and lesser-known legacy of change, as Jensen was once classed as a supercomputer for US export-control purposes.
DEC had a few ads bragging about this classification, of course.
All of which led to a redefinition of supercomputing.
DEC had a few ads bragging about this classification, of course.
All of which led to a redefinition of supercomputing.
