The operating system and files would normally served from a VAX/VMS server running the company's VAX/VMS Services for MS/DOS software, which went through several name changes, finally becoming Pathworks. Alternatively an optional expansion box containing either 20 MB or 40 MB hard disk could be purchased which allowed it to operate as a more conventional standalone PC.
The basic system contained an 8 MHz Intel 80286 CPU with 1 Mbyte of RAM, a 1.2 MB RX33 5¼-inch floppy disk drive, a 14 inch (diagonal) amber or green monochrome CRT and a thinwire Ethernet interface all contained in the system unit. It was also provided with a parallel printer port and a serial communications port. A separate mouse and LK250 keyboard was used with the device. When first introduced, the VAXmate retailed at $4,045.1
As well as the expansion box, an 80287 MHz numeric coprocessor could be ordered as an option, and the memory could be expanded by 2 MB with another option to 3 MB. In North America, an internal modem was also available.
It was superseded by the DECstation 200 and 300 in January 1989.
