🚀 go-pugleaf

>>If the IBM/Apple deal goes through, which looks likely at this point, the
>>future of the 88000 is in serious doubt.  Motorola is likely to make RS/6000
>>processors, and this is likely to divert most of its design efforts.
>
>What about Ford choosing the 88K family as embedded controllers.
>Wouldn't that strongly encourage Moto to keep the 88K around?
>Or is there not enough profit in embedded controllers?

The Ford deal will keep Motorola's fab lines going--Ford makes about
6 million vehicles a year, and plans eventually to use the 88K-based
controller across-the-board. But it won't do much for workstation users.
The Ford version will have on-chip peripherals that don't make any sense
for a workstation, and it won't try to increase performance beyond the
current implementation (which already provides more performance than Ford
has use for in the near term).  The focus will be on low cost and high
integration, not high performance. The embedded versions of the 88K will
therefore follow a different development path, with little benefit for
workstation-oriented versions.

In any case, latest reports are that the IBM/Apple deal has hit a snag, so
Apple may use the 88110 after all. Perhaps we should save the speculation for
after Apple finally makes up its mind. On thing is clear from what has gone
on so far, however: Apple's desires will sway Motorola's plans to a major
degree, and companies such as DG may get hung out to dry.

Michael Slater, Microprocessor Report    mslater@cup.portal.com