SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY

AST Research, trying to keep pace with rivals Compaq Computer and IBM, unveiled 14 new models of IBM-compatible personal computers Monday at the Comdex trade show in Las Vegas.

AST introduced five models of a business computer dubbed the Premium Workstation/386SX, which are based on Intel Corp.’s powerful new 80386SX microchip. A key feature of the new models is their small size or “footprint,” which means they take up less space on a desk than earlier machines.

AST’s Premium Workstation/386SX, which will be available in March, will be priced at $3,195 to $5,195 retail.

AST is the second county personal computer maker to introduce an 80386SX-based machine. Advanced Logic Research of Irvine introduced its VIP SX386 computer last week, saying it outperformed a comparable Compaq model by more than 30%. The ALR machine costs $2,395 to $3,695.

AST also unveiled a faster version of its Premium/386 line, which was introduced in October, 1987. The five new models offer more data storage capacity than earlier models and an added feature known as cache memory, which allows for rapid retrieval of the most frequently used data.

The new models will be available in December, AST said. Retail prices will start at $4,395 and go as high as $9,795 for the most powerful model.

AST also unveiled four new computers for engineering, design and other high-performance applications. These Premium 386/25 models also use Intel Corp.’s 80386 microprocessor.

The models are available immediately and range from $6,595 to $11,795.