DEC was desperately trying to stay relevant when the "PC revolution" completely ate their lunch throughout the 90s. At the same time, Microsoft was trying to push more deeply into the "enterprise" at a time when minicomputers and the various UNIX vendors (and DECs own VMS) ruled the datacenters.
Windows on AXP allowed Microsoft a place to run SQL Server on 64-bit hardware, getting a foot in the door there. It also allowed DEC to push powerful workstations into large Windows customers. But NT definitely felt sluggish on Alpha- there was a lot of room for optimization, but it was always a bit of an afterthought, vs running VMS or UNIX/OSF-1 on Alpha.
That wasn't enough to save DEC, though. Alpha was an awesome platform at the time. The AlphaServer 8400 "TurboLaser" machines were insanely fast. I'm still looking for an AS 2100 "Sable" machine to restore.
Windows on AXP allowed Microsoft a place to run SQL Server on 64-bit hardware, getting a foot in the door there. It also allowed DEC to push powerful workstations into large Windows customers. But NT definitely felt sluggish on Alpha- there was a lot of room for optimization, but it was always a bit of an afterthought, vs running VMS or UNIX/OSF-1 on Alpha.
That wasn't enough to save DEC, though. Alpha was an awesome platform at the time. The AlphaServer 8400 "TurboLaser" machines were insanely fast. I'm still looking for an AS 2100 "Sable" machine to restore.
Source: Worked at DEC in the Windows/Alpha team.