Throughout 1987 and 1988, IBM introduced a number of new display terminals.
These new devices are functional equivalents to the 3X7X coaxial and 525X
twin-axial devices. In June, 1988, IBM added to it's line of ASCII
Asynchronous terminals.
There are some significant new features with the product line over the older
327X and 317X devices. Enhancements include color support on all models
(previously restricted to mod 2 and 3 devices) and DFT support with 3194's.
The new graphics workstation supports a mouse. The recently discontinued
light pen feature is back on selected mod 2 and 3 devices.
The new devices reduce the required "footprint" of 328X devices by about
50%. Newer electronics speed the processing of the displays, making the
devices slightly faster that earlier products. These redesigns allow for
printer buffering, pass through, and some other features (on selected
models) which have been popular on 327X-compatible devices and ASCII
terminals offered by third parties for many years.
IBM claims to have reduced the number of keyboard options from over 200 to
three basic models. This is not quite true, as data entry and APL keyboards
are still available. The new keyboards are waterproof. 319X series devices
feature "auto dim screen savers" to reduce the amount of screen burn-in and
and increase CRT life
The 319X line (except the 3193) also features built-in baluns. Baluns are
used with a special IBM cable that has a keyed coaxial connector at one end
and an RJ11 at the other. The following is a summary of the devices and
features now offered by IBM.
The older 327X and 317X devices are no longer on IBM's price list. However,
the 3290 gas-plasma display is still available.
The 319X 3270 replacements will operate on 3274, 3174 controllers, and 937X
direct coaxial attachments except as noted in the special features section.
The 3196 and 3197 operate on System 3X or AS/400 direct attached twin-ax or
the 5251-12 (with restrictions) and 5294 remote controllers, except as
noted in the special features section.