Agreement Reached on Hardware Reference Platform for PowerPC
Microprocessor

Open platform to create broad array of computers that run multiple
operating systems.

NEW YORK, New York--November 7, 1994--Apple Computer, Inc., IBM Corporation
and Motorola Inc. today agreed on a new hardware reference platform for
the PowerPC microprocessor that aims to deliver a much wider range of
operating system and application choices for computer customers.

The new platform defines an architecture--a framework made up of open
technical concepts, definitions, specifications and interfaces--that can
be used by any hardware or software vendor to build compatible
PowerPC-based computer products that are ready to run a tremendous variety
of applications written for a number of industry operating systems.

The new hardware reference platform for the PowerPC microprocessor is
expected to support popular operating systems, such as the Mac OS, OS/2
for the PowerPC, AIX, and Microsoft Windows NT. Many of these operating
systems already support current PC applications through software emulation
or hardware extensions.

To ensure that the vast majority of applications written to current
specifications will run largely unmodified on the new hardware reference
platform, the platform will combine many technical characteristics and
features from Apple's Power Macintosh architecture and from the current
IBM and Motorola PowerPC Reference Platform, adopted by a number of
hardware and software vendors.

Each company intends to take technical and financial responsibility to port
an operating system to the common platform. Apple will be responsible for
porting the Mac OS, IBM for OS/2 for the PowerPC and AIX, and Motorola for
Windows NT. The three companies will continue to work together with other
vendors on porting their operating systems to the new platform.

In a joint statement, the three companies said, "The PowerPC microprocessor
has already established itself as the industry's price/performance and
technology leader. By combining that technology with an open hardware
platform and the industry's broadest range of operating system
availability, we are creating a new industry standard--one whose entrance
means greater value and performance for customers, greater opportunities
for developers and greater competition for the industry."

The hardware reference platform aims to create new business opportunities
and alternatives for software developers and hardware vendors who demand a
higher return on their investment. This new platform will allow vendors to
invest once in developing a product and have it reach a huge installed
base of computers from a variety of vendors.

The objective is to achieve 100 percent compatibility with current
PowerPC-based hardware and software application products, while creating a
new base standard that offers advanced function future capability. These
features include designs for high-performance peripheral component
interconnect (PCI) bus, system boot or start-up that works independently
of the operating systems, and industry standard components and I/O systems
for compatibility.

More technical information on the new hardware platform will be published
in the Spring of 1995. The alliance members plan to present prototypes of
the systems based on the specification in 1995, and the first computers
are expected to be available in 1996.

PowerPC is a family of RISC-based microprocessors developed jointly by
Apple, IBM, and Motorola, and a key plank in the 1991 technology alliance
between the three companies. Since then, the companies have garnered broad
industry support for the PowerPC. Currently, over 25 companies are
developing or marketing PowerPC systems, including Apple, Bull Systems,
Canon, FirePower Systems, Hitachi, IBM, Motorola, PowerComputing, 3DO, the
Taiwan New PC Consortium and Toshiba.

Apple Computer Inc
20525 Mariana Ave
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010

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