[W/K] :: killer micro

  killer micro n. [popularized by Eugene Brooks] A microprocessor-based
     machine that infringes on mini, mainframe, or supercomputer performance
     turf. Often heard in "No one will survive the attack of the killer
     micros!", the battle cry of the downsizers. Used esp. of RISC
     architectures.
  
     The popularity of the phrase `attack of the killer micros' is
     doubtless reinforced by the title of the movie "Attack Of The Killer
     Tomatoes" (one of the canonical examples of so-bad-it's-wonderful
     among hackers). This has even more flavor now that killer micros have
     gone on the offensive not just individually (in workstations) but in
     hordes (within massively parallel computers).
  
     [1996 update: Eugene Brooks was right. Since this term first entered
     the Jargon File in 1990, the minicomputer has effectively vanished, the
     mainframe sector is in deep and apparently terminal decline (with IBM
     but a shadow of its former self), and even the supercomputer business
     has contracted into a smaller niche. It's networked killer micros as far
     as the eye can see. --ESR]
  
  

  killer micro
       
          [Popularised by Eugene Brooks] A microprocessor-based
          machine that infringes on mini, mainframe, or supercomputer
          performance turf.  Often heard in "No one will survive the
          attack of the killer micros!", the battle cry of the
          downsizers.  Used especially of RISC architectures.
       
          The popularity of the phrase "attack of the killer micros" is
          doubtless reinforced by the movie title "Attack Of The Killer
          Tomatoes" (one of the canonical examples of
          so-bad-it's-wonderful among hackers).  This has even more
          flavour now that killer micros have gone on the offensive not
          just individually (in workstations) but in hordes (within
          massively parallel computers).
       
          [{Jargon File]