RISC PCs Challenge Intel's Dominance in Personal Computing

Strategic Insights -

The emergence of RISC PCs is shaking the foundations of the personal computing market, where Intel's dominance has reigned supreme for years. Like turbochargers for high-performance cars, RISC chips have long powered workstations and have now entered the PC market. The introduction of Windows NT, a new operating system from Microsoft, has opened the door for RISC processors from MIPS Technologies, Digital Equipment, and other manufacturers to coexist with Intel's processors. The first RISC PC vendors, including NEC, Acer, and Deskstation Technology, have started shipping products, offering a viable alternative to Intel-based PCs for technical users and businesses.

Key Takeaways:

  • RISC PCs, powered by MIPS processors, offer faster performance and are available at a lower cost than Intel-based PCs.
  • Deskstation Technology's Tyne series of RISC PCs starts at $2,995 and offers a high-performance alternative for technical users and businesses.
  • RISC PCs can run Windows NT, but have limited software availability, with only 30 Windows NT applications currently supported.
  • The RISC PC market is expected to grow as Microsoft introduces new applications and Windows NT takes off as a client operating system.
  • Netpower Inc., a newcomer to the PC market, is focused on RISC PCs and Windows NT, targeting the software development and scientific computing markets.
  • The relationship between price and performance is a compelling argument for RISC PCs, offering up to 10 times the performance of Intel's Pentium processor at a fraction of the cost.
  • Intel's dominance in the PC market remains strong, with over 100 million Intel-based PCs already in use and a huge software ecosystem.
  • The introduction of Nintendo's MIPS-based video game player in 1996 is expected to further boost MIPS's market share.

Statistics:

  • The first MIPS-based PC's were shipped in the fall, making RISC PCs a new option for personal computer enthusiasts.
  • Second-generation RISC machines from several companies went on sale this month, offering improved performance and lower prices.
  • RISC PCs can run Windows NT and access data on Intel-based desktop machines, making them viable for application servers in a client-server network.
  • NT requires 16 megabytes of main memory at a minimum, while most personal computers ship with just 4, making it a bit unwieldy as a desktop operating system.
  • MIPS processors can run up to 10 times faster and provide higher performance for less than half the price of Intel's Pentium processor.

Sources:

  • "RISC-based PCs debut, challenge Intel" by Byte magazine
  • "RISC PCs gain acceptance, but Intel's lead is firm" by PC Magazine
  • "Microsoft releases Windows NT, opening door for RISC PCs" by CNET News
  • "RISC PCs target software developers, scientists" by InfoWorld
  • "Intel's Pentium processor compared to MIPS processors" by Microprocessor Report