PowerPC FAQ

Courtesy Derek Noonburg (derekn@ece.cmu.edu)

Note: The information presented here does not reflect the views of Motorola, nor has Motorola reviewed it for technical accuracy

17 December 1995

The PowerPC FAQ is maintained by Derek Noonburg (derekn@ece.cmu.edu). Please send me any and all additions, corrections, clarfications, and suggestions.

Changes since last version (24-September-95):

Index

[1] Introduction

[1-1] Where can a current copy of this FAQ be obtained?

 This FAQ is posted monthly on comp.sys.powerpc, comp.answers, and news.answers. The hypertext (HTML) version is available on the Motorola World Wide Web server. The text version is available from the news.answers archives via anonymous ftp. This can also be obtained by sending email to mail-server@BLOOM-PICAYUNE.MIT.EDU with the body 
    send usenet/news.answers/powerpc-faq
For other archive sites, see the "news.answers Introduction" post.

[1-2] Can I convert this FAQ to a different format and/or redistribute it?

This FAQ may be redistributed as long as the following guidelines are met:

  1. You notify me by email that you are redistributing the FAQ.

  2. The attribution notice ("The PowerPC FAQ is maintained by ...") is left intact.

  3. The instructions for obtaining current copies of the FAQ (Question 1-1) are left intact.

  4. You use the latest version of the FAQ you can get.

  5. Any modifications (other than formatting) that you make are clearly marked as such.

If you convert the FAQ to a different format, please email me a copy. If it is impossible to email it, contact me for other arrangements.

If you are redistributing the FAQ and would like to get an up-to-date copy each month via email, let me know, and I will add you to my mailing list. Please specify text, HTML, or both.

[1-3] What newsgroups are appropriate for PowerPC discussions?

Comp.sys.powerpc is the primary newsgroup for PowerPC discussion. From the charter: "comp.sys.powerpc (unmoderated) will be a newsgroup which will provide a common forum to users and developers of products based on the PowerPC architecture."

There are now three new groups: comp.sys.powerpc.advocacy, comp.sys.powerpc.misc, and comp.sys.powerpc.tech.

The comp.sys.mac.* groups are appropriate for discussions of PowerPC-based Macintoshes.

[1-4] What other FAQs contain PowerPC information?

The Macintosh PowerPC FAQ has been discontinued.

Robert Boys maintains two FAQs of interest to comp.sys.powerpc readers. The comp.sys.m68k FAQ contains some information on the PowerPC, including the PowerPC embedded controllers. It is posted to comp.sys.m68k, comp.answers, and news.answers, and is available via ftp and on the WWW. The comp.arch.bus.vmebus FAQ, posted to comp.arch.bus.vmebus, contains information on PowerPC-based VME cards.

The Linux/PowerPC FAQ is available via ftp and on the WWW.

[1-5] What other net sources (ftp, gopher, etc.) contain PowerPC information?

Apple:

Apple clones, upgrades, and software:

IBM:

Motorola:

Other companies with PReP-compliant systems:

Taligent:

Other companies:

Miscellaneous:

[1-6] Bibliography: where can I get more information on the PowerPC?

Manuals and databooks:

Books:

Most of this info has been culled from the net. I haven't actually read all of these books. If you've read one of them and are willing to write a very short review (5-6 lines), let me know. - Derek (derekn@ece.cmu.edu)

Papers, articles, etc.:

[1-7] Contributors.

The following people have contributed to this FAQ. (Please do not contact them with questions about the FAQ.)

[2] Processor

[2-1] What is a PowerPC?

 A PowerPC is a microprocessor designed to meet a standard which was jointly designed by Motorola, IBM, and Apple. The PowerPC standard specifies a common instruction set architecture (ISA), allowing anyone to design and fabricate PowerPC processors, which will run the same code. The PowerPC architecture is based on the IBM POWER architecture, used in IBM's RS/6000 workstations. Currently IBM and Motorola are working on PowerPC chips.

The PowerPC architecture specifies both 32-bit and 64-bit data paths. Early implementations will be 32-bit; future higher-performance implementations will be 64-bit. A PowerPC has 32 general purpose (integer) registers (32- or 64-bit) and 32 floating point (IEEE standard 64-bit) registers.

NB: A PowerPC is not a computer, any more than an 80486 is a computer.

[2-2] How does PowerPC relate to POWER and POWER2?

As mentioned above, PowerPC is a direct descendant of POWER. POWER2 is also a descendant of POWER, developed by IBM for use in their workstations and other systems. POWER2 is an eight-chip multi-chip module, and was released at approximately the same time as the first PowerPC chip. While it is faster than the early PowerPC processors, it is not as fast as the 620 is projected to be. It is likely that IBM will combine the POWER family into the PowerPC family.

[2-3] What processors have been announced? What are their specs? When will they be available?

PowerPC 601
The very first PowerPC. It was designed as bridge between the POWER architecture and the PowerPC architecture. For this reason, it incorporates the user-level POWER instructions which were eliminated from the PowerPC specification.

PowerPC 601+
This is a 601, implemented in a 0.5u CMOS 2.5V process. This effectively means that it runs faster and draws less power.

PowerPC 602
A processor aimed at consumer electronics (set-top boxes, game consoles, etc.), PDAs, and embedded controller applications.

PowerPC 603
A low-power processor, intended for portable applications, e.g., notebook computers. Performance is roughly comparable to the 601 (see below for benchmarks).

PowerPC 603e
A higher-performance 603 with a faster clock and bigger caches. (Originally called the "603+".)

PowerPC 604
A higher-performance processor, intended for high-end desktop systems.

PowerPC 620
An even higher-performance processor, aimed at high-end systems and multiprocessors. The 620 is the first 64-bit PowerPC implementation.

PowerPC 630
No details available on this chip yet. (Previously referred to as the POWER 3 architecture.)

The 601 is manufactured by IBM and sold by both IBM and Motorola. The 603 and 603e are manufactured by both IBM and Motorola. 

    Processor  Clk(MHz)  Power(W)  Price(US$)
    ---------  --------  --------  ----------
    MPC601        50        5.6        165
                  66        7          165
                  80        8          249
    MPC601+      100        4          399
                 110        ?            ?
    MPC602        66        1.2          ?
    MPC603        66        2.5        165
                  80        3          195
    MPC603e      100        3          207
                 120        ?          260
    MPC604       100       14          549
                 120        ?            ?
                 133        ?            ?
    MPC620       133       30            ?
    
            Data  Bus    Func units                          Si      Ship
    Proc    width width  (I/FP/BP/LS) Cache Trans Process    date    date
    ------- ----- -----  ------------ ----- ----- ---------- ------- ------
    MPC601    32  64     1/1/1/0      32      2.8 0.6u CMOS  Oct 92  Apr 93
    MPC601+   32  64     1/1/1/0      32      2.8 0.5u CMOS  2Q  94  Nov 94
    MPC602    32  64     1/1/0/1      4/4     1.0 0.5u CMOS  Feb 95  2H  95
    MPC603    32  32/64  1/1/1/1      8/8     1.6 0.5u CMOS  Oct 93  Nov 94
    MPC603e   32  32/64  1/1/1/1      16/16   2.6 0.5u CMOS  Feb 95  2H  95
    MPC604    32  64     3/1/1/1      16/16   3.6 0.5u CMOS  Apr 94  Dec 94
    MPC620    64  64/128 3/1/1/1      32/32   7   0.5u CMOS  Oct 94  2H  95
    
    Notes:
    * Data width: width of the general purpose (integer/address)
      registers and integer ALU(s), in bits
    * Bus width: external memory data bus width, in bits -- the memory
      bus can be, and often is, wider than the internal data path
    * Functional units: I =  integer unit
                        FP = floating point unit
                        BP = branch processing unit
                        LS = load/store unit
    * Cache: On-chip cache in kilobytes - two numbers means
      instruction/data; one number means unified
    * Price: in US dollars, for large quantities
    * Trans: number of transistors, in millions
    * Si date: first silicon date

[2-4] What processors have been announced by companies other than IBM and Motorola?

Exponential Technology, Inc. has announced a new line of PowerPC processors. They will be fabricated in BiCMOS technology. This is apparently different from Intel's use of BiCMOS -- Exponential is using bipolar logic and CMOS memory arrays. Exponential's first processor to ship in early 1997.

[2-5] What embedded controllers will be available?

IBM has announced the PowerPC 4xx embedded controller family. These will be available as general purpose microcontrollers, application-specific processors, and ASIC cores. The 4xx family will integrate caches and other system-level logic to facilitate simpler and cheaper designs. Performance and cost information is not yet available. One chip, the PPC 403GA, has been announced.

Motorola has announced the MPC500 family of microcontrollers. These microprocessors will be "100% compatible" with the MPC600 series. The first chip in this family, the MPC505, will run at 25 MHz. Samples of the 25 MHz chip are expected in 4Q 1994, with 40 MHz parts expected by 4Q 1995. The MPC505 consists of a PowerPC core, a 4 kB SRAM module, and a multi-functional system integration unit (SIU) (similar to the 68300 family).

Motorola's PowerQUICC (Quad Integrated Communications Controller) family integrates a PowerPC core with a communications processor. These chips are aimed at telecommunications and networking applications. The first PowerQUICC chip, the MPC860, will come in 25 MHz and 40 MHz versions, and is expected to sample in 4Q1995 with volume shipping in 2Q1996.

The Motorola MPC821 is similar to the MPC860, but is targeted at PDAs and other portable devices. The MPC821 incorporates a PowerPC core, a communications processor module (CPM) for signal processing, a PCMCIA controller, and an LCD controller. It will be available in 25 MHz and 40 MHz versions, with sampling in October 1995 and production quantities in January 1996.

[2-6] How fast is a PowerPC?

This table lists SPEC results for PowerPC machines, as well as a few others, for comparison purposes. (SPEC is a benchmark suite designed to test system performance. The SPECint portion uses integer-only code, e.g., compilers; the SPECfp program uses floating point code, e.g., circuit simulation.) 

                                         -- SPEC92 --  
    Processor      Clock   Cache         int    fp     System
    ------------  -------  ------------  -----  -----  ---------------------
    MPC601         50 MHz  0/32k          41.7   51.0  IBM RS/6000 N40
                   66 MHz  0/32k          62.6   72.2  IBM RS/6000 250
                   66 MHz  0/32k          63.7   67.8  IBM RS/6000 40P
                   66 MHz  256k/32k       75.1   77.0  IBM RS/6000 40P
                   80 MHz  0/32k          78.8   90.4  IBM RS/6000 250
                   80 Mhz  0.5M/32k       88.1   98.7  IBM RS/6000 41T & 41W
                   80 Mhz  1M/32k         90.5  100.8  IBM RS/6000 C10
    MPC601+       100 MHz  ?/32k         105    125    ? estimate
    MPC602         66 MHz  ?/4k/4k        40      ?    Motorola/IBM estimate
    MPC603         66 MHz  1M/8k/8k       60     70    Motorola estimate
                   80 MHz  1M/8k/8k       75     85    Motorola estimate
    MPC603e       100 MHz  ?/16k/16k     120    105    Motorola/IBM estimate
    MPC604        100 MHz  256k/16k/16k  128.1  120.2  IBM RS/6000 43P
                  100 MHz  512k/16k/16k  140.8  129.1  IBM RS/6000 43P
                  120 MHz  512k/16k/16k  157.9  139.2  IBM RS/6000 43P
                  133 MHz  512k/16k/16k  176.4  156.5  IBM RS/6000 43P
    MPC620        133 MHz  ?/32k/32k     225    300    estimate
    i486DX2        66 MHz  256k/8k        32.2   16.0  Compaq Deskpro
    i486DX4       100 MHz  256k/16k       51.4   26.6  Micronics M4P PCI
    Pentium        66 MHz  256k/8k/8k     78.0   63.6  Intel Xpress
    Pentium       100 MHz  1M/8k/8k      121.9   93.2  Intel Xpress
    Pentium       120 MHz  1M/8k/8k      140.0  103.9  Intel Xpress
    68040          33 MHz  ?              18     13    Mac Q950
    68040          33 MHz  ?              20.3    ?    Mac Q800
    
    Notes:
    * SPEC does not allow estimated figures.  The lines which are marked
      "estimate" are not officially SPEC numbers, and are likely to be
      proven inaccurate when real machines are released.
    * Cache numbers are in kB or MB: format is external/instruction/data or
      external/unified.

I'd like to list one or two more 040-based Macs in this table -- If anyone has Mac SPEC data, please let me know.

More information on the SPEC benchmark, including numbers for other systems, is available in the newsgroup comp.benchmarks.

[2-7] Is there special hardware for emulating 68k or x86 processors?

All currently announced emulators are purely software. The PowerPC architecture has a group of byte-reversing load and store instructions which might be useful for emulating little-endian x86 processors on a big-endian PowerPC system (such as an RS/6000 or a Power Macintosh). There are no PowerPC processors with additional special hardware for translating instructions from other processor families (but see the next question). In addition, because software emulation has been reasonably successful, it seems very unlikely that there will ever be hardware of this type.

There are several x86 boards available for the PowerMacs. These are effectively PC clones on a card, and allow you to run PC software (though not directly on the PowerPC processor, of course).

[2-8] What is the PowerPC 615?

There are a couple of conflicting rumors regarding the 615. IBM has denied that the project even exists.

The dominant rumor suggests that the 615 is a PowerPC processor, being designed by IBM, which will contain special Intel x86 emulation hardware. The latest version of the rumor claims that first silicon is expected in March 1995.

Another rumor has the 615 as a PowerPC processor which will fit into Intel OverDrive sockets, instantly turning an x86 system into a PowerPC system. One problem with this is that the BIOS ROMs on PC motherboards contain x86 code.

[3] Hardware

[3-1] What PowerPC-based workstations are/will be available? When will they be available? How much will they cost?

 IBM offers a line of RS/6000 workstations and servers, based on PowerPC processors. These all run AIX (IBM's UNIX), and are binary compatible with all other RS/6000s, including POWER-based systems. SPEC benchmark figures for some of these are listed in the table above.

The RS/6000 40P is PReP-compliant, which means that it can run Windows NT, as well as AIX. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    - Desktop    
    250            601       80  -       16-256       ?  Aug  94
    41W/T          601       80  0.5     16-256   10895  Jun  94
    40P            601       66  0.25    16-192    3995  Oct  94  604 upgrd
    43P-100        604      100  ?       ?         6205  Jun  95
    43P-120        604      120  ?       ?         7315
    43P-133        604      133  ?       ?         7620
    - Notebook   
    N40            601       50  -       16-64    11995  Mar  94
    - X Terminal
    Xstation 160   603       66  -       8         4949  Feb  95
    - Server     
    C20            604       ?   ?       ?            ?  Jun  95
    E20            604      100  0.5     16-512   10000  Oct  95
    G30            2-4 601   75  0.5     32-512   40900  Oct  94  604 upgrd
    J30            2-4 601   75  1.0     64-2048  70500  Oct  94  604/620 up
    R30            2-4 601   75  1.0     64-2048  83900  Oct  94  604/620 up
    
    Notes:
    * proc: number and type of processors
    * clk: clock speed (MHz)
    * L2: standard and optional second-level cache (MB)
    * RAM: memory configuration (MB)
    * price: base price in US dollars
    * date: initial ship date

Groupe Bull offers 601-based workstations and the ESCALA line of multiprocessors, all running AIX. The multiprocessors are also sold by IBM (as the G30, J30, and R30) and by Motorola (as the MP601-75). Groupe Bull also sells a number of the Motorola systems. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    - Workstation
    ?              601       66  ?       ?         5445  ?
    - Multiprocessor
    Minitower      2-4 601   75  0.5     32-512       ?  ?        604 upgrd
    Deskside       2-8 601   75  1.0     64-2048      ?  ?        604/620 up
    Rack           2-8 601   75  1.0     64-2048      ?  ?        604/620 up

Motorola has announced its PowerStack line of workstations and servers. Motherboards will also be available. All are based on the PCI bus and will ship with AIX or Windows NT (when available). The multiprocessor is built by Bull; all other systems are built by Motorola. Motorola will sell only to VARs, distributors, and system integrators -- individuals can buy systems from them.

The following brochures are available:

Contact the Motorola Computer Group at 1-800-759-1107 for brochures or more info on these systems. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    - Desktop
    DT603-66       603       66  0-1     16-128    3295  Dec  94  desktop
    MT603-66       603       66  0-1     16-128       ?  Dec  94  mini-tower
    DT604-100      604      100  0-1     16-128       ?  Dec  94  desktop
    MT604-100      604      100  0-1     16-128       ?  Dec  94  mini-tower
    - Server
    E603-66P       603       66  0.25-1  16-128    5995  Dec  94  stackable
    E604-100P      601      100  0.25-1  16-128    7995  Dec  94  stackable
    - Multiprocessor
    MP601-75       2-8 601   75  1       64-2048      ?  Dec  94  604 upgrd
    - Motherboards
    Atlas 603      603       66  0-1     ?         1505  Dec  94
    Atlas 604      604      100  0-1     ?         2105  Dec  94
    Ultra 603      603       66  0-1     2-128     2255  Dec  94
    Ultra 604      604      100  0-1     2-128     2405  Dec  94

Micro Technology Services, Inc. (MTSI) sells the entire PowerStack line.

Peacock, in Germany, will sell a Motorola-built PowerStack server with an 80 MHz 601, running AIX. Contact Peacock AG at ++49-295779-0 (tel) or ++49-295779-9067 (FAX).

[3-2] What PowerPC-based PReP-compliant (IBM-compatible) personal computers are/will be available? When will they be available? How much will they cost?

See also Question 3-7.

IBM announced a line of PowerPC-based personal computers in June, 1995. The PC Power Series consists of two desktop models, both based on the 604. The ThinkPad Power Series consists of two notebook computers, based on the 603E. Windows NT and AIX are currently available for these systems. OS/2 Warp Connect (PowerPC Edition) is expected in 4Q95. Solaris will be available, but no date has been announced. More information on these systems is available on the WWW. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    - PC Power Series (desktop)
    830            604      100  0.25    16-192    2795  Jun  95  PCI+ISA
    850            604      100  0.25    16-192       ?  Jun  95  PCI+ISA
                   604      120  0.25    16-192       ?  Jul  95  PCI+ISA
                   604      133  0.5     16-192       ?  Jul  95  PCI+ISA
    - ThinkPad Power Series (notebook)
    820            603E     100  0.25    16-48        ?  Jun  95  PCMCIA+ISA
    850            603E     100  0.25    16-96        ?  Jun  95  PCMCIA+ISA

FirePower Systems (formed as a partnership with Canon) offers the Powerized family of PReP 1.0 compliant systems. Currently available are 603, and 604-based uniprocessor sytems (the Powerized ES line) and a 604-based multiprocessor (the Powerized MX line). A 603e-based system (also in the ES line) is expected in 2Q95. Also available are designs and motherboards. All systems run Windows NT. FirePower sells only to OEMs. The systems were announced in November 1994. Contact: 415-462-3025.

IPC Technologies Inc. is reselling FirePower machines through their Austin subsidiary. Contact: 1-800-752-1577.

Canon is also reselling FirePower machines.

Japan Computer Corporation (JCC) is reselling FirePower machines as the JP4 (604) and JP3e (603e) systems. These run a version of BSD 4.4 Lite. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    - FirePower OEM systems
    MX4120/1       604      120  ?       ?        ?      ?        ?
    MX4133/1       604      133  ?       ?        ?      ?        ?
    MX4120/2       2 604    120  ?       ?        ?      ?        ?
    MX4133/2       2 604    133  ?       ?        ?      ?        ?
    - Austin
    PowerPLAY      604      100  0.25    16-128   ?      ?        PCI

The Taiwan New PC Consortium (TNPC) demonstrated a 601-based PReP-compliant personal computer, running OS/2 and Windows NT, at CeBIT in Germany (March 1994). Planned models will feature 50-80 MHz 601's and 75 MHz 603's. The expected release date for the first models was 3Q 1994, but this seems to have slipped.

Canon has announced that it will work with IBM on the PReP specification. In particular, they plan to work on extensions to PReP for PDA's and office products.

Tatung sells several PReP-compliant systems. 601-based systems were available in October 1994. 604-based systems are expected in 1Q95.

DTK Computers (a Taiwanese company) sells an 80 MHz 601 system, which runs Windows NT, and will run OS/2 when available.

[3-3] What PowerPC-based Apple (and compatible) personal computers are/will be available? When will they be available? How much will they cost?

The first Apple Power Macintosh models were released on March 14, 1994. All PowerMacs run System 7, just like the 68k Macs. They come with an emulator which will allow them to run 68k Mac applications. Critical parts of the Toolbox ROM code have been ported and run natively; the remainder is emulated.

Workgroup servers, the 6150, 8150, and 9150, are also available. These currently run AppleShare 4.1 (which is not native, but is tuned for the PowerMacs). Novell's Processor Independent NetWare (PIN) 4, when available, may or may not run on these systems (according to rumors, PIN will only be available on CHRP systems).

The first PowerPC-based PowerBooks were announced in August 1995. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    - desktop
    Performa 52xx  603       75  0.25    8-64      1700  Apr  95  PDS
    Performa 61xx  601       60  0-0.25  8-72         ?  ?        PDS
    Performa 62xx  603       75  0.25    8-72         ?  ?        PDS
    Performa 63xx  603e     100  0.25    16-64        ?  ?        PDS
    5200/75        603       75  0.25    8-64      1700  Apr  95  PDS
    6100/66        601       66  0.25    8-72         ?  Jan  95  PDS
    6200/75        603       75  0.25    8-64         ?  ?        PDS
    7100/80        601       80  0.25    8-136        ?  Jan  95  3 NuBus
    7200/75        601       75  0-?     8-256     1700  Aug  95  3 PCI
    7200/90        601       90  0-?     8-256     1900  Aug  95  3 PCI
    7500/100       601      100  0-?     16        2700  Aug  95  3 PCI
    8100/100       601+     100  0.25    8-264        ?  Jan  95  3 NuBus
    8100/110       601+     110  0.25    16-264    6400  Nov  94  3 NuBus
    8500/120       604      120  0.25    16-512    4000  Aug  95  3 PCI
    9500/133       604      133  0.5     16-768       ?  Jun  94  6 PCI
    - server
    AWS 6150/66    601       66  0.25    16-72        ?  Apr  95  PDS
    AWS 8150/110   601+     110  0.25-1  16-264       ?  Apr  95  3 NuBus
    AWS 9150/120   601+     120  1       16-264       ?  ?        4 NuBus
    - notebook
    PB Duo 2300    603e     100  0       8-56      3500  Aug  95  PDS
    PB 5300/100    603e     100  0       8-64      2200  Aug  95  2 PC Card
    PB 5300c/100   603e     100  0       8-64         ?  Aug  95  2 PC Card
    PB 5300cs/100  603e     100  0       8-64         ?  Aug  95  2 PC Card
    PB 5300ce/117  603e     117  0       32-64     6500  Aug  95  2 PC Card

Configurations are available with different RAM and hard disk sizes. All configurations are bundled with a CD ROM drive and some include SoftWindows and/or various other software.

Apple no longer sells PowerPC upgrades for desktop systems. This includes motherboards, PDS boards, and the 68040 replacement daughterboard. These products are now being sold by DayStar (see below), who co-developed them with Apple.

Apple is currently selling PowerPC upgrades for the PowerBook 500 series (daughterboards) and the PowerBook Duo 200 series (replacement logic boards).

Power Computing is the first company to get a license from Apple to produce Macintosh clones. Power Computing started shipping systems on May 1, 1995. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    Power 100      601+     100  0.25-1  8-200        ?  May 95   3 NuBus
    Power 120      601+     120  0.25-1  8-200     2000  Sep 95   3 NuBus
    PowerWave 120  604      120  0.25-1  16-512       ?  Oct 95   3 PCI/2 NB
    PowerWave 132  604      132  0.25-1  16-512    3200  Oct 95   3 PCI/2 NB
    PowerWave 150  604      150  0.5-1   16-512    4500  Oct 95   3 PCI/2 NB

Radius has also announced that it will make Mac clones. Radius intends to target color publishing and video users. Radius began shipping systems in July 1995. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    System 81/110  601+     110  ?       16-?      3500  Aug  95
    System 100     601+     110  ?       72-264   10000  Aug  95

Pioneer has licensed the MacOS and has announced a line of low-end systems aimed at the home entertainment market. The 66 MHz 601-based MPC-GX1 is expected to be demonstrated at the end of February 1995. The availability date is unknown.

Daystar Digital has announced a line of PCI bus PowerMac clones, which will support up to four 132 MHz 604s. The Genesis system is scheduled to ship in October 1995, with prices starting at $15000. Daystar also sells various Macintosh upgrade options. 

    model          proc     clk  L2      RAM      price  date     notes
    -------------  -------  ---  ------  -------  -----  -------  ----------
    Genesis        1-4 604  132  0.5     16-1.5G  15000  Oct  95  6 PCI

German prices for PowerMacs and clones are available on the WWW.

[3-4] What PowerPC-based controllers are/will be available? When will they be available? How much will they cost?

CETIA (a subsidiary of Thomson-CSF) is selling PowerPC-based VME single-board computers. Currently available are 66 and 100 MHz 601-based boards and the PowerEngine CVME 603, a PReP compliant 66 MHz 603-based board. Available OS's are UNI/XT (AIX) and UNI/RT 5.0 (LynxOS). VxWorks (from Wind River Systems) is currently in beta. The 66 MHz 601 board with 16 MB of memory sells for $7100. Contact: 617-494-0987 (North America).

The Motorola Computer Group has announced a family of VME boards. The MVME1600/PM603 uses a 66 MHz 603; the MVME1600/PM604 uses a 100 MHz 604.

[3-5] What PowerPC-based supercomputers and parallel processors are/will be available? When will they be available? How much will they cost?

Parsytec has announced that it will be combining PowerPC processors and Transputer communication processors in its multiprocessor systems. These include:

For more information, contact:

Carsten Rietbrock
Parsytec GmbH
Product Marketing
Juelicherstrasse 338
52070 Aachen GERMANY
Tel.: +49-241-166000; Fax: +49-241-16600-50

ISG Technologies has announced a line of parallel processor-based accelerators. The entry-level Pulsus uses 8 601's (clock speed unspecified). The expected ship date is 4Q 1994.

Mercury Computer Systems has announced that is is developing 603e-based systems. Mercury sells high-performance computers targeted for embedded applications such as defense signal processing and medical imaging.

Harris announced its Night Hawk line of PowerPC-based multprocessors in May 1995. Systems with up to 8 100 MHz 604s are expected to ship in September 1995.

[3-6] What other PowerPC-based systems are/will be available? When will they be available? How much will they cost?

3DO has announced that its second generation game machine will use a PowerPC processor. See Question 6-2.

Apple has announced a "multimedia platform" called Pippin, which will be based on MacOS and the PowerPC 603. Pippin is intended to compete with Sega, Nintendo, and 3DO, but is supposed to run other multimedia applications in addition to games. The first Pippin system will be designed by Apple and manufactured by Bandai, a Japanese company, and is expected to be available in early 1996 for around $500.

Be, Inc. has announced a new operating system called BeOS. This will initially run on Be's own dual-604 multiprocessor, called the BeBox. This machine is expected to ship in 1Q96. See the WWW page or contact info@be.com for more information.

[3-7] What is PReP and how can I get a copy?

The PowerPC Reference Platform (PReP) is a system standard, designed by IBM, intended to ensure compatibility among PowerPC-based systems built by different companies. The PReP standard specifies the PCI bus, but will also support ISA, MicroChannel, and PCMCIA.

According to IBM, PReP-compliant systems will be able to run OS/2 AIX, Solaris, Taligent, and Windows NT. IBM systems will (of course) be PReP-compliant. Apple's first PowerPC Macs are not compliant; future Macs will probably be CHRP-compliant (see below).

The current version of the PReP spec is 1.1.

Here are the instructions for obtaining a copy of PReP specification (freely available to all requesters).

For hardcopy:

For softcopy (PostScript files):

[3-8] What is the Common Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP)?

The CHRP is an open platform agreed on by Apple, IBM, and Motorola. All CHRP systems will be able to run MacOS, OS/2-PPC, Windows NT, AIX, Solaris, Novell Netware, and possibly other operating systems. CHRP is a superset of PReP and the PowerMac platform; thus you'll be able to run applications written for the PReP OS's (OS/2-PPC, Windows NT, AIX) and the PowerMac (MacOS) on the new CHRP systems (under the same OS they're written for, of course). In addition, any CHRP software which doesn't require the Mac ROM, serial ports, or ADB ports should run on PReP machines.

There is some confusion as to whether or not the CHRP standard will require a ROM socket (for MacOS ROMs). Apple has said that a future release of MacOS will not require the ROMs.

The CHRP standard was finalized in November, 1995. The specifications are being published by Morgan Kaufmann Publishers as PowerPC Microprocessor Common Hardware Reference Platform: A System Architecture, ISBN 1-55860-394-8. It is also available on the WWW.

Apple is referring to CHRP as the PowerPC Platform (PPCP). Apple has more information, including the above book in PDF format, on the WWW.

[3-9] Can PowerPC 601-based computers be upgraded to, e.g., a 604 when they become available?

This depends on exactly which computer you have. Some of Apple's PowerMacs have their processors on replacable daughterboards. See also Question 3-3.

IBM Power Personal Systems will have a 200-pin slot on the motherboard, apparently intended for a level-2 cache or a processor upgrade.

Motorola PowerStack systems provide a L2 cache socket which can also be used for PowerPC processor upgrades simply by plugging in a daughter board.

[3-10] Where can I get the specifications for the PCI bus?

The following documents:

are available for $25 each or $50 for the first three from:

PCI Special Interest Group
M/S HF3-15A
5200 N.E. Elam Young Parkway
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124-6497
Phone: 800-433-5177
FAX: 503-693-0920

[3-11] Can I used any old PCI card in my PowerMac/PReP/etc.?

In general, a driver for the particular computer is required to use a PCI card, i.e., to use a PCI video card in a PowerMac, that card would have to come with a PowerMac driver.

A list of PCI cards which have PowerMac support is available on the WWW.

[3-12] What is FireWire?

FireWire is a joint Apple and TI implementation of the IEEE P1394 SerialBus standard. It is a high-speed (100 Mb/s) serial bus for peripheral devices; it is intended to replace Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) and SCSI, for example. FireWire supports automatic configuration ("plug-and-play") and hot-plugging. It is also isochronous, meaning that a fixed slice of bandwidth can be dedicated to a particular peripheral, e.g., for video. The draft standard can be obtained from IEEE Customer Service: 800-678-IEEE, 908-981-0060, fax: 908-981-9667.

[4] Software

[4-1] What operating systems will run on PowerPC-based computers? When will they be available?
UNIX
Several flavors of UNIX have been (or will be) ported to the PowerPC.

IBM's AIX has been available since October 1993. AIX 4.1, available in August, 1994 is PowerOpen-compliant. There will also be a version called Personal AIX, which will come without certain utilities and development tools, for IBM's PC's.

Apple will not ship A/UX for the PowerPC.

Tenon Intersystems' MachTen is a Mach-based UNIX for the Macintosh. Version 4.0, which shipped in August 1995, runs natively on PowerMacs.

A PowerPC port of Linux is in progress. The current platform is the Motorola 1603 board, with PowerMacs, Motorola Ultra and PowerStack systems, and the IBM RS/6000 to follow. For more information, see the Linux/PowerPC FAQ.

IBM and SunSoft have signed an agreement which says that SunSoft will port Solaris for PReP-compliant systems and IBM will distribute it. A beta release was demonstrated at the Sydney Solaris Forum in August 1994. The PowerPC version of Solaris will have the same API as the SPARC and x86 versions; most applications will run on the PowerPC with only a recompile. SunSoft expects to release Solaris for PowerPC, x86, and SPARC platforms before mid-1995.

Harris Computer Systems Corporation currently offers Secure/Power UNIX, a multi-level secure PowerOpen-compliant operating system for IBM RS/6000 workstations and Harris Night Hawk multiprocessors. Secure/Power UNIX is the first standards-based B2-level environment available for the RS/6000. Harris will release Real-Time/Power UNIX and PowerUNIX in 1995. Secure/Power UNIX is available through Harris Computer Systems Corp. and IBM Federal. Contact: Lisa Thornhill at 305-977-5615.

Ports of NeXTStep and Novell UnixWare are rumored to be underway.

MacOS
Power Macintoshes ship with System 7, just like 68k Macs. Critical parts of the Toolbox (system code in ROM) have been ported to the PowerPC; the remainder is emulated. Apple analyzed existing code to determine the most frequently used Toolbox routines, and ported those first.

Apple has ported the MacOS to other platforms. See the description of MAS and MAE in Question 4-6.

With the CHRP announcement (see Question 3-8), Apple announced that it would start selling the MacOS independently of Apple hardware. This means that a user will be able to buy MacOS in a store, and install it on any CHRP system. Whether MacOS for CHRP systems will be entirely on disk or on ROMs is still up in the air.

Windows
Windows NT has been ported to the PowerPC. Version 3.5 has been shipping to developers since October 1994. Systems shipped with NT have been available since early 1995. The current version is 3.51, released in June, 1995.

OS/2 (was WorkplaceOS)
OS/2-PPC will be source code compatible with OS/2-x86 for 32-bit applications, i.e., 32-bit OS/2 applications will run natively after recompiling. 16-bit OS/2 applications will have to be ported to 32-bit before reompilation. OS/2-PPC will provide an emulator for MS-DOS and Windows code (see below), however it will not support OS/2-x86 code. The first alpha release of OS/2-PPC was sent to developers in Nov., 1994. In Dec. 1994, IBM sent the first beta release, which includes features of OS/2 Warp, to 150 software developers. OS/2-PPC entered its general beta release in summer 1995. The release version is expected in 4Q95.

"If you're an IHV or OEM, and plan to support OS/2 For PowerPC, do we have a deal for you. You can fill out an application for the OS/2 For PowerPC beta program, and if you qualify, we will train you and send you your own free PowerPC loaner (for one year) preloaded with OS/2 For PowerPC. You can fill out an application at Comdex, or download it from the DUDE, at (407) 982-3217, N81. Stop by and see us at Comdex for more information on the IHV/OEM OS/2 For PowerPC loaner program. --Steve, OS/2 For PowerPC IHV/OEM Support, Boca Raton" [from CompuServe]

(See also Question 4-5.)

Others
Taligent (see Question 4-3 below).

LynxOS is a real-time UNIX-like operating system, which has been ported to the 601, 603, and 604. It is currently available for Cetia's VME boards (see above). It is expected to be available for IBM's PReP systems in 2Q95. Contact Lynx Real Time Systems at 408-354-7770 or sales@lynx.com.

OS/9, a real-time UNIX-like operating system for embedded systems, is available for PowerPC-based systems. Contact Microware.

pSOS+ is a real time operating system for the PowerPC with networking support. It currently runs on the Motorola MVME1603 boards and on 403GA boards. Contact Integrated Systems, Inc.

Taos is a distributed operating system, which achieves processor independence through the use of a "virtual machine". Ports are currently available for several processors, including the PowerPC 601 and 603. The developer claims a PowerMac version will be available by the end of 1995. Contact Tao Systems Ltd (in London).

OSE Delta, a real-time operating system intended for distributed and fault tolerant applications, will be available for the Power PC in 1Q96. The MPC versions for embedded and real-time applications will be supported. OSE Delta includes advanced capabilities such as run time configuration, debugging and program loading (hot updates). Contact info.ose@enea.se.

Be, Inc. has announced a new operating system called BeOS. See Question 3-6. 

    name               company      base OS          GUI      endian  avail 
    -----------------  -----------  ---------------  -------  ------  ------
    - UNIX
    AIX 4.1            IBM          SysVR3           X+Motif  big     Oct 93
    NeXTStep           NeXT         Mach2 + BSD4.3   DPS      ?       ?
    Solaris 2.x        SunSoft      SysVR4           X+Motif  little  mid 95
    Secure/Power UNIX  Harris       SysVR4           X+Motif  ?       Jun 94
    UnixWare           Novell       SysVR4           X+Motif  ?       ?
    MachTen            Tenon        Mach2 + BSD4.3   X+Motif  big     1Q  95
    Linux              Gnu Pub Lic  ?                X        big     ?
    - Mac
    MacOS 7            Apple        custom           custom   big     Mar 94
    - PC
    Windows NT         Microsoft    custom           custom   little  1Q  95
    OS/2 - PPC         IBM          Mach3 + custom   custom   little      95
    PIN                Novell       Netware          ?        ?       ?
    - other
    Taligent           Taligent     custom           custom?  ?           95
    LynxOS             Lynx         AT&T RTK         X+Motif  ?       Jul 94
    OS/9               Microware    custom           X, cust  ?       Dec 94
    pSOS+              ISI          custom           X        big     Dec 93
    Taos               Tao Systems  custom           ?        ?       Mar 95
    OSE Delta          Enea Data    custom           ?        ?       1Q  96
    BeOS               Be           custom           custom   ?       1Q  96

[4-2] What is PowerOpen?

The PowerOpen Association defines and promotes the PowerOpen Environment (POE). The POE is a PowerPC-based standard for operating systems and applications. Most work so far has been with UNIX-like systems. The POE is not an operating system; it is a definition containing an application program interface (API) specification as well as an application binary interface (ABI) specification. The presence of the ABI specification in the POE is a factor distinguishing PowerOpen from other open systems (POSIX, XPG4, etc.) since it allows achievement of platform independent binary compatibility. Any POE-compliant operating system will be able to run all POE software. Other non-POE standards cannot provide binary compatibility over several hardware platforms, and usually limit a software version to a specific platform.

The POE is an open standard, derived from AIX and conforming to industry open standards including POSIX, XPG4, Motif, etc. The POE specification is publicly available to anyone, and is especially of interest to those producing either applications or hardware platforms. The PowerOpen Association provides the necessary conformance testing and POE branding.

The key features of the POE are:

The PowerOpen Association has a WWW page. More information, including key white papers, resides there. Topics include:

(The above text was provided by the PowerOpen Association.)

NB: PowerOpen is not itself an operating system -- it is only a standard for operating systems.

The PowerOpen Association consists of IBM, Motorola, Apple, Bull, Thomson-CSF, Harris, Tadpole Technology, and others.

The PowerOpen specification applies to UNIX-like operating systems. AIX 4.1, available in August, 1994 is PowerOpen-compliant. Apple's System 7 will not be PowerOpen-compliant.

For more information contact Gordon Kass (g.kass@poweropen.org) or Chris Adams (c.adams@poweropen.org).

[4-3] What is Taligent / Pink?

Taligent is a company founded jointly by Apple and IBM in March 1992. HP announced in January, 1994 that it would buy a 15% stake in Taligent. They are working on an "object-oriented operating system", due to be finished sometime in 1995.

The first software due to be released by taligent is CommonPoint (previously called the Taligent Application Environment). CommonPoint is "a portable application system consisting of a comprehensive set of reusable object-oriented software frameworks". A beta version was released to developers in March, 1995. According to reports, CommonPoint will be available for HP-UX, AIX, OS/2, and later versions of System 7.

Pink is an older name for Taligent, dating back to work that Apple did before the formation of Taligent.

[4-4] Will NeXTStep be ported to the PowerPC?

NeXTStep has been ported to the RS/6000 (POWER architecture), but is not commercially available. According to rumors, NeXTStep has been seen running on PowerPC machines. No official announcement has been made by NeXT as to availability.

Sun has announced that it will incorporate OpenStep, a version of NeXTStep, in Solaris. SunSoft has announced that they are porting Solaris to PReP-compliant systems, so OpenStep will presumably be available. The OpenStep API specification is available by ftp.

[4-5] What is WorkplaceOS? Will OS/2 be available on PowerPC-based computers?

Workplace is a microkernel-based architecture (based on Mach 3) developed by IBM. Workplace will be used as the foundation for several different operating systems. The first of these will be OS/2 for the PowerPC (see above). Note that some confusion has been caused by the fact that the development name for OS/2-PPC was WorkplaceOS (WPOS) -- this name is no longer used.

[4-6] Can IBM-PC / Macintosh software be run on PowerPC-based computers?

Several emulators have been announced. Generally, these are intended to run Macintosh or MS-DOS/Windows applications under the various native operating systems.

Macintosh
Macintosh Application Services (MAS), supported by Apple, allows PowerOpen-compliant OS's to run Mac applications. MAS includes a 68040 emulator and a PowerPC port of the Mac toolbox, so it will run both 68k and PowerPC Mac binaries. MAS has been demonstrated on IBM's PowerPC personal systems.

Apple, in cooperation with Sun and HP, has released the Macintosh Application Environment (MAE). MAE allows Mac applications to run under X Windows on Sun SPARCstations and HP 9000 series 700 workstations. MAE emulates a 68LC040, but critical parts of the Toolbox run natively. MAE is similar to MAS, but only runs 68k binaries. For more information, see the MAE WWW site. A demo version is available by ftp.

Executor, produced by ARDI, is currently available for NeXTStep and NeXTStep/Intel, and will soon be available for MS-DOS, and Sun and Alpha workstations. Executor emulates a 68040-based monochrome Macintosh running System 6. Version 2.0 is supposed to offer 8-bit color and some System 7 features. ARDI uses reverse-engineered Toolbox code, i.e., it was written from scratch from the interface specs. For this reason, it it easily portable -- expect to see it ported to other platforms (including the PowerPC) in the near future.

Power Macintoshes have the built-in capability to run 68k Mac software. The 68k application code will be emulated, but critical parts of the system code have been ported. The emulator emulates a 68LC040 without the FPU.

Speed Doubler from Connectix includes a faster 68k emulator, among other things.

MS-DOS/Windows
Wabi, produced by Sun, runs under UNIX/X. It emulates x86 code, and translates Windows calls to X calls. IBM is working on an 80386 translator. Support has been announced for Solaris and AIX. Wabi is based on the public specs for the Windows ABI. (Wabi originally stood for "Windows Application Binary Interface" -- it's spelled "Wabi", not "WABI", for trademark reasons.) This has been demonstrated on IBM's PowerPC personal systems.

SoftPC and SoftWindows, produced by Insignia, run under several OS's: Mac OS, Windows NT, NeXTStep, and various other UNIX flavors. Version 2.0, released in August, 1995, emulates a 486DX and Windows calls. Insignia has licensed the Windows source code from Microsoft.

OS/2 for the PowerPC (which was also known as WorkplaceOS) will run MS-DOS and Windows code via the Instruction Set Translator (IST), an instruction-caching x86 emulator. OS/2-PPC will not directly run OS/2-x86 code.

[5] Comparisons

[5-1] Should I buy a PowerPC system rather than a Pentium or 68k system?

 Apple is committed to making their Power Macintoshes feel just like the 68k Macs, but faster. It looks like they will eventually switch the entire Mac line over to the PowerPC. If you plan to buy a new Mac, this is probably the way to go.

A Pentium system will run existing x86 code faster than a 601 will emulate it. If you need to run x86 code as fast as possible, buy a Pentium box.

On the other hand, many x86 applications will probably be ported to the PowerPC. The extent of this porting will likely determine the success of the PowerPC in the personal computer market.

In terms of pure performance (whatever that is), it looks like there will be a fairly close race between the PowerPC family and the Intel x86 family. The Intel-HP agreement promises to make things even more interesting. Only the future will tell whose chips and whose systems will be the fastest.

[5-2] What will be the differences between the various PowerPC-based personal computers?

There are currently two major classes of PowerPC-based personal computers (not counting workstations): the Apple Macintosh line and the PReP-compliant machines. It now appears that these two groups are converging on the CHRP standard. In theory, any CHRP-compliant system will be able to run any CHRP operating system (MacOS, OS/2, Windows NT, etc.). Whether this will actually materialize remains to be seen.

[6] Miscellaneous

[6-1] What's the deal with Ford and the PowerPC?

 Ford and Motorola have signed an agreement resulting in a custom PowerPC to be used by Ford as a powertrain controller. Details on this chip are not available.

[6-2] What's the deal with 3DO and the PowerPC?

3DO, the video game company, is planning to use the PowerPC 602 in its next generation game machine. An upgrade board, the M2 accelerator, using this new processor, will be avaiable some time in 1995.

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