OSfOM

History

The SPARCstation ELC: A Faster Integrated Option

Building on the concept of the integrated workstation introduced with the SPARCstation SLC, Sun Microsystems released the SPARCstation ELC (codenamed "Node Warrior" or Sun 4/25) in July 1991. The ELC maintained the all-in-one design, with the computer hardware built into the base of its monochrome monitor, but offered a significant performance boost.
The SPARCstation ELC was powered by a 33 MHz Fujitsu MB86903 or Weitek W8701 SPARC processor. This was a substantial upgrade from the 20 MHz CPU in the SLC, providing improved performance for a wider range of applications. Like the SLC, the ELC was primarily designed for users who valued a compact, integrated desktop solution, particularly for tasks that benefited from a faster processor, such as more complex software development or running larger applications.
The integrated form factor meant the ELC also had limited internal expansion capabilities, similar to the SLC. However, it provided essential built-in connectivity, including Ethernet and serial ports. The monochrome monitor remained a standard feature, offering a sharp display suitable for technical work.
The SPARCstation ELC was a popular choice in environments where space and convenience were important, and the increased performance over the SLC was beneficial. It continued Sun's strategy of offering integrated systems alongside their more expandable "pizza box" and "lunchbox" models. As with other SPARCstations of this vintage, the NVRAM battery is a key component for long-term usability.
The SPARCstation ELC is remembered as a faster, more capable version of Sun's integrated workstation concept, providing a powerful monochrome Unix desktop in a single, convenient package.