Motorola and Microsoft Partner on Windows NT for PowerPC

Strategic Insights -

The Motorola Computer Group has announced an OEM agreement with Microsoft to license and resell Windows NT 3.5 operating system for PowerPC, expanding the PowerStack family of RISC PCs and servers. This partnership enables PowerStack users to run industry-leading software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, and WordPerfect from Novell, on the PowerPC platform. The agreement marks a significant milestone in the development of the PowerStack systems and positions Motorola solidly in the growing business of RISC-based PCs and servers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Motorola Computer Group has partnered with Microsoft to license and resell Windows NT 3.5 operating system for PowerPC, integrating it into the PowerStack family of RISC PCs and servers.
  • PowerStack users can now run industry-leading software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and WordPerfect from Novell on the PowerPC platform.
  • The agreement positions Motorola as a major player in the RISC-based PCs and servers market, with the potential to support entire enterprises.
  • The partnership will result in the bundling of Windows NT 3.5 with Motorola's PowerStack systems in Q1 1995.
  • The early beta version of Windows NT 3.5 for PowerStack will be upgraded to the commercial release when it becomes available.
  • The PowerStack family includes clients, servers, multi-user computers, and single board computers based on the PowerPC microprocessors, supporting a wide range of requirements.

Statistics:

  • The PowerStack family consists of clients, servers, multi-user computers, and single board computers based on the PowerPC microprocessors.
  • Models of the PowerStack family will support a wide range of requirements from desktop clients and small servers to servers supporting entire enterprises.
  • Production availability of Windows NT Workstation, version 3.5 and Windows NT Server, version 3.5 is scheduled for Q1 1995.

Sources:

  • Motorola Computer Group - Motorola and Microsoft Announce OEM Agreement for Windows NT 3.5 (no date provided)
  • Microsoft Corporation - Microsoft and Motorola Announce OEM Agreement for Windows NT 3.5 (no date provided)
  • Novell, Inc. - Software Applications for PowerStack Systems (no date provided)