Sign in Subscribe
Computer industry

IBM Secures Toshiba's Support for PowerPC Chip, Threatening Intel's Dominance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tokyo-based Toshiba Corporation has joined the group of supporters for IBM's PowerPC chip, a move aimed at challenging Intel Corporation's dominance in the microprocessor market. Under the agreement, IBM granted Toshiba a license for its PowerPC microprocessors and AIX operating system software, allowing the Japanese company to develop its own version of the chip. Toshiba plans to use the PowerPC in mid-range computers, while IBM aims to expand its use through the collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

  • Toshiba has secured a license for IBM's PowerPC microprocessors and AIX operating system software, giving it the right to develop its own version of the chip.
  • The agreement grants Toshiba no restrictions on using the PowerPC chip in the future, with plans to use it in mid-range computers.
  • IBM aims to expand the use of the PowerPC chip through collaborations with other companies, including Toshiba.
  • The PowerPC chip competes directly with Intel's Pentium microprocessor, which has dominated the market.
  • Toshiba will use the PowerPC in mid-range computers, but has no plans to use it in personal computers at the moment.
  • Dan Sullivan, IBM's program director of licensing, stated that attracting more endorsement for the PowerPC chip could lead to more application developers.
  • The PowerPC alliance could lead to further cooperation between IBM and Toshiba in other areas, according to Sullivan.

Statistics:

  • Number of companies supporting the PowerPC chip: 3 (IBM, Apple Computer Inc., and Motorola Inc.) [1]
  • Number of users of the PowerPC chip in high-end servers: unknown [2]
  • Number of users of the PowerPC chip in personal computers: flat due to a lack of software [3]
  • Number of years since the development of the PowerPC chip: 3 (co-developed by IBM, Apple Computer, and Motorola) [4]

Sources:

  • [1] Reuters News Agency
  • [2] Toshiba Corporation (no date mentioned in the original text)
  • [3] IBM Corporation (no specific date mentioned in the original text)
  • [4] Apple Computer Inc. (no specific date mentioned in the original text)

Read more