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IBM and Motorola announce first 240 MHz
volume desktop and portable microprocessor

Systems available today


October 21, 1996 - AUSTIN, Texas - Today, IBM and Motorola announced enhanced versions of the PowerPC 603e microprocessor, including a 240 MHz version that is the highest-speed volume microprocessor for portable and desktop computers. The new microprocessors will be manufactured by both companies.

Simultaneously, UMAX Computer Corporation announced and is shipping its newest SuperMac C600 Mac OS-compatible system based on the PowerPC 603e at 240 MHz. Power Computing Corporation also announced its PowerBase line with the same microprocessor.

The PowerPC 603e microprocessor at 240 MHz offers almost four times the performance of the original PowerPC 603 microprocessor and exceeds - by 20 percent - IBM and Motorola's target of reaching 200 MHz by end of year 1996.

Desktop performance with mobile power consumption

Motorola and IBM achieved the increased performance of the PowerPC 603e microprocessor through aggressive use of the latest manufacturing technology processes. The high performance and low power consumption of all PowerPC 603e microprocessors enable manufacturers to build systems ranging from subnotebooks to high-performance notebooks and desktops. This performance exceeds that of the fastest Pentium available today, while using significantly less power. In fact, the maximum power consumption of the 240 MHz PowerPC 603e (5.5 watts) is less than the typical power consumption of the 200 MHz Pentium (6.5 watts).

In systems today

Today, UMAX Computer Corp. announced and began shipping the SuperMac C600/240 Mac OS-compatible mini-tower system. "We will continue to engineer our systems so that we can incorporate the latest PowerPC microprocessors as soon as they ship," said Andy Chang, senior vice president of worldwide sales, UMAX Computer Corporation. "Our goal is to provide the average user with systems offering the most aggressive price/performance available in the industry."

"Our new PowerBase systems, based on the PowerPC 603e microprocessor at speeds up to 240MHz, cost less and out-perform comparably configured Pentium-based Windows 95 systems," said Stephen Kahng, president and CEO, Power Computing Corporation. "Again, mainstream customers can get a very powerful and competitive Mac OS-based system at Pentium prices."

Motorola Computer Group, Tatung and Apple also announced their support of the new PowerPC microprocessors. "MCG plans to take advantage of these faster microprocessors in our new StarMax and PowerStack II product lines," stated Dennis Schneider, vice president and director of worldwide marketing, Motorola Computer Group (MCG). "Our goal is to provide high-performance, quality PowerPC microprocessor-based systems, backed by Motorola's impeccable standards of quality."

"We're very pleased with the earlier than expected availability of very fast PowerPC 603e microprocessors," said Mrs. Wen-Yen Kuo Lin, senior general manager, overseas operations, Division II, Tatung. "Tatung's upcoming PowerPC microprocessor-based systems, which will be in volume production in early 1997, can take advantage of the higher performance these microprocessors offer."

"Apple is very pleased with the continuing performance enhancements in PowerPC microprocessors," noted H.L. Cheung, senior vice president and general manager, Macintosh Performa Division, Apple Computer, Inc. "IBM and Motorola are continuing to underscore their commitment to the PowerPC architecture and to their customers."

Pricing and availability

Detailed pricing and availability is being released by Motorola and IBM individually.
Separately, IBM is announcing that samples are available immediately, with production availability scheduled for next month (November 1996).

PowerPC 603e
Prices (in OEM quantities of 1,000):
PowerPC 603e at 225/220 MHz - $332
PowerPC 603e at 240/233 MHz - $408

 

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