We started using SGI Personal IRIS systems which were I think were using 33MHz MIPS R3000 processors in the late 80s. I think they might been able to address a heady 32Meg of RAM. We were developing a graphical operation control system at the steelworks where I worked as an engineer. I remember them costing something like $25-30K each. So to enable enough developers we had to add serial terminals and X terminals. It was actually this aspect that got me involved in finding open source X windows solutions that allowed us too repurpose standard Intel PCs as terminals. Fun times. But the sgi's were ahead of everything else out there. While we didn't have a real work need for their 3D capability it did let you see what the future could hold.
