🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <16586@ganymede.inmos.co.uk> steved@inmos.co.uk (Stephen Doyle) writes:
>RISC Processor Unit Shipments (000s)
>
>Processor             1989     1990     cum.
>
>transputer             190      240      540
>SPARC                   83      185      275

(the other guys' numbers elided - you get the idea)

>
>So, INMOS are only surviving are we? Looks to me like we are holding the
>lead in RISC processor sales.

	Let's compare apples and apples here. How many of those xputers are
T8s?

	It seems to me that comparing T2s and T4s with SPARCs and i960s and
M88xxxs is engaging in creatively wishful thinking. If you want to call the
xputer a RISC architecture, fine. But don't pretend that it's competing with
the SPARC, the MIPS line, or the i960.

	The transputer is a niche product. The other semiconductor houses
have (until now) been content to leave that niche to Inmos. With
increased use of multiprocessor systems on the horizon, however, the
other guys will be looking to increase their market share, and some of
them have demonstrated better ability to rapidly bring silicon to market
than Inmos.

	Now, I like xputers for what they are, but I'm glad I don't have
to program my PC in Occam...


-- 
Jeff Carroll		carroll@ssc-vax.boeing.com

"...and of their daughters it is written, 'Cursed be he who lies with 
any manner of animal.'" - Talmud