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1999-04-27
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From: kcoleman@acorn.co.uk
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce
Subject: Acorn Press Release: Acorn questions Apple over PowerPC claims
Date: 16 Mar 1994 08:20:24 -0000
Acorn Questions Apple over PowerPC Claims
=========================================
Apple Computer Inc. has agreed with Acorn Computers Ltd to review
claims made in Apple's 'PowerPC Technology: The Power Behind the Next
Generation of Macintosh Systems' product literature. Distributed as
part of 'The Apple Report on PowerPC' advertising campaign, the
brochure makes four statements that Acorn believes need modification
in order to represent accurately both Acorn and Apple's position in
the development and commercial commitment to RISC technology.
"We are pleased that Apple has responded so quickly to our requests,"
comments Kevin Coleman, Corporate Affairs Manager at Acorn Computers.
"Acorn has always had a very positive working relationship with
Apple, in particular our partnership in ARM Ltd and we believe
Apple's constructive response to our request is testament to this."
To address concerns, Apple Computer Inc. has agreed to review and
revise where appropriate any ambiguities in its product literature.
The statements that Acorn believes need clarification are as follows:
"To date, RISC technology has been used only in systems designed for
raw computational power."
Acorn has shipped over 300,000 personal computer systems based on RISC
chip architecture. For example, of the computers purchased by UK
schools between the 2nd and 4th quarters of 1993, 50% were Acorn RISC
based machines. Acorn also supplies RISC based computers to consumer
and professional markets. These systems are not designed
specifically for raw computational power but rather to provide cost
effective performance and sophisticated solutions for Acorn's
customers.
"Apple is the only personal computer vendor publicly committed to
moving its entire product line to RISC technology".
Acorn committed to the use of RISC chips when a team was set up to
develop the company's own RISC chip in 1983. This was followed in
1987 by a public statement of Acorn's commitment to use RISC across
its product portfolio with launch of the Archimedes range. The
evidence of this commitment is Acorn's continued development of RISC
based products over the past seven years.
".... has resulted in the first mainstream RISC microprocessor that
can be used in low- cost computers".
As measured by an independent authority, more ARM processors were
shipped than SPARC chips in 1993. ARM has also sold 3 times more
chips than the PowerPC consortium. As the latest research shows that
ARM processors are mainstream processors, Acorn contends that this
statement is untrue. (Source: Inside the New Computer Industry, 14th
January 1994).
"No other personal computer company is making the fundamental
commitment to RISC demonstrated by Apple."
Acorn launched its first 32 bit RISC computer in 1987 and although
Acorn did not invent RISC, it designed and produced the first
low-cost, high volume chips. Over the past seven years, Acorn has
constantly promoted the case for RISC and has designed and sold
products based on ARM's technology.
Coleman of Acorn continues; "In 1990 Acorn expanded the availability
of this technology by the formation of ARM Ltd in partnership with
Apple and VLSI. The success of ARM Ltd and the strategy to widen the
availability of RISC technology has resulted in its chips now being
used in a range of products including the Apple Newton."
Founded in 1978, with 1992 revenues of #48.2m, Acorn Computers is the
premier supplier of IT solutions to UK education and has been the
leading provider of 32-bit RISC based personal computers since 1987.
Acorn works closely with a strong community of other industry
partners, users and software developers to provide innovative
technology solutions for the education, consumer, publishing and
international markets. Acorn Computers Limited is part of the Acorn
Computer Group plc, which went public on the USM in 1983.
From: smb@cs.nott.ac.uk (Simon Burrows)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn
Subject: Acorn Welcomes Apple to the RISC Club
Date: 16 Mar 1994 19:02:36 -0000
The Times Newspaper (publication date 15/3/94) contains a full page(!)
advertisement from Acorn in response to Apple Computer's claims made
in the same paper about the PowerPC. Situated on page 11 of this
broadsheet newspaper, Acorn's very large advert comes before Apple's :-)
**************************************************************************
[white text on black background, large text]
As a founder member,
Acorn is delighted
to welcome Apple
to the RISC Club.
[2/3 of way down page, switch to black on white, smaller text]
After 11 years of development and 7 years of production, we at Acorn are
still marvelling at the sheer power, performance and potential of 32-bit
RISC technology.
Our ARM 32-bit RISC processors have delivered these capabilities to our
many customers in education, the home and industry worldwide, in our
products since 1987.
So it comes as little surprise to hear that Apple's new desktop range
also incorporates 32-bit RISC technology.
[large italic text, stands out prominently]
Oh well. Better late than never.
[to the right of this bottom text is a large clip-coupon]
If you want to know more about THE leading 32-bit RISC products from
Acorn, complete the coupon and send it to the address below or call
081-732-xxxx now.
[small print across bottom of page, to right of Queen's Award logo]
Acorn designs and sells low-cost ARM 2 32-bit microprocessor in 1986.
Acorn launches world's first low-cost 32-bit RISC based computer in 1987.
Acorn wins "Home and Small Business Micro of the Year" in prestigious
British Micro Computing Awards in 1987.
Advanced RISC Machines set up with Acorn, Apple and VLSI in 1990.
Acorn wins Queen's Award for Technological Achievement for the 32-bit
RISC processor in 1992.
Acorn launches first sub #500 32-bit RISC computer in 1992.
[complete with a large and prominent Acorn logo]
***************************************************************************
--
Simon