OSfOM

The Sun SPARCstation Voyager: The Portable SPARC Experience

Introduced in 1994, the Sun SPARCstation Voyager (codename "Gypsy") was an unusual and fascinating system in Sun's SPARCstation line. It was Sun's attempt to bring the power of a full-fledged UNIX workstation into a portable format, although not in the sense of a modern laptop. 

The Voyager was based on the 60 MHz microSPARC-II processor and, despite its compact design, offered impressive performance for its time. It featured an integrated display, which could be either a 12-inch color LCD with 1024x768 pixels or a 14-inch monochrome LCD with 1152x900 pixels. This was a significant step up from the typical laptop displays of the era and allowed for a true workstation user experience on the go. 

Although not designed for lap use, the Voyager could be powered by an optional battery, making it suitable for use in various locations, such as for software demonstrations or field service activities. It featured a range of ports, including Ethernet, SCSI, serial ports, and even PCMCIA slots for expansions like modems. 

The SPARCstation Voyager ran a special version of Solaris 2.3 optimized for the hardware. It was an expensive system, which limited its widespread adoption, but it found its place among professional users who needed mobility combined with the power and stability of Solaris and the SPARC architecture. 

The Voyager is a rare collector's item today and an interesting example of Sun's innovation efforts beyond the traditional desktop and server markets. It represents a unique moment in the history of mobile workstations and the SPARC architecture.