[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

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


see also:
canonical flavor mainframe 

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

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
     
     
see also:
microprocessor risc canonical massively parallel computer jargon file 

Micro >> M Words
Micro, definition of term: Micro
micro_pag1.html

Killer >> K Words
Killer, definition of term: Killer
killer_pag1.html

Killer Whale >> K Words
Killer Whale, definition of term: Killer Whale
killer+whale_pag1.html

Micro Chip >> M Words
Micro Chip, definition of term: Micro Chip
micro+chip_pag1.html

Killer Bee >> K Words
Killer Bee, definition of term: Killer Bee
killer+bee_pag1.html

Killer App >> K Words
Killer App, definition of term: Killer App
killer+app_pag1.html

Cicada Killer >> C Words
Cicada Killer, definition of term: Cicada Killer
cicada+killer_pag1.html

Lady Killer >> L Words
Lady Killer, definition of term: Lady Killer
lady+killer_pag1.html