Although world software sales were up 9% in 1990 [Datamation, 6/15], Business Week (7/1) reports that U.S. computer-industry R&D increased only 1% over 1989. (Adjusted for inflation, R&D was really down about 3.8%.) That's near the bottom for all industries, although ahead of aerospace and telecommunications. IBM's R&D was down 6%. [Robert Buderi, BW.]

Other industry news: Microsoft is closing its printer business unit, giving up on its software competition with Adobe. DEC is planing a 6% layoff (7,200) over the next 12 months. [SJ Mercury, 6/15.] Lockheed will be laying off 900 people in '91. [Datamation, 6/15.] Wang Labs will cut back 1/3, giving up its minicomputer hardware line and focusing more intently on office and imaging software. [Gary McWilliams, Business Week, 7/1.]

Mail order PCs cost up to 30% less, and are now 22% of PC sales -- climbing to 29% by 1995. Of 130 companies advertising computers for sale in the 6/90 Computer Shopper, though, only half were still in the 6/91 issue. [Lois Therrien, Business Week, 7/1.]