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From: al...@soda.berkeley.edu (Alan Coopersmith)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.powerpc,comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Apple PR: PowerPC 601 Workgroup Servers
Followup-To: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Date: 29 Apr 1994 15:09:45 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 161
Message-ID: <2pr7vp$g1t@agate.berkeley.edu>
Reply-To: al...@soda.berkeley.edu
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[I don't work for or speak for Apple. Don't blame me for the words you see
below. Don't blame Apple for posting it here. Followups set to
comp.sys.mac.hardware -alan-]
THIS RELEASE MOVED OVER PR NEWSWIRE ON MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1994 AT 10:31 AM, PST.
Apple Unveils New Line of PowerPC Processor-based Servers
Customers Gain New Power, Flexibility, and Server Software Compatibility
from Apple RISC Servers
CUPERTINO, California--April 25, 1994--Apple Computer, Inc. today launched
three powerful new Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) Workgroup
Servers as extensions to its current line of servers. These new systems
mark the second phase of Apple's PowerPC processor-based systems rollout.
The new Workgroup Server 6150, 8150 and 9150 are all based on the
PowerPC 601 microprocessor and offer customers unrivaled performance for
optimized applications, excellent compatibility with existing Motorola
68000-based applications, and the promise of increasing performance over
time as the operating system and applications become optimized for the
PowerPC processor.
"These new Workgroup Servers continue Apple's momentum in providing
industry-leading price/performance, not only for desktop computers, but also
for server systems," said Jim Groff, vice president of LAN Systems for the
Apple Business Systems Division. "Coupled with network services from Apple
and from independent software vendors, we provide customers with powerful,
yet easy to maintain server and software combinations that appeal to a wide
variety of customers. This is further evidence that PowerPC technology is
opening doors for even more customers to consider systems from Apple."
Apple also announced its intention to provide DOS and Windows users
with access to Apple's local area network (LAN) application services, such
as AppleShare , PowerShare Collaboration Servers, AppleSearch , and Apple
Remote Access. Apple plans to offer an implementation of AppleTalk
specifically designed for Windows (versions 3.1 and higher) as the basis for
these services. This will allow users in mixed workgroups--those using
Apple Macintosh personal computers, DOS and Windows-based PCs--to more easily
share information and work together with the same ease-of use that has
always been available for Macintosh networks.
PowerPC Performance
In March, Apple introduced its Power Macintosh line of personal computers,
which offer a new level of performance and functionality to personal
computing at low prices. Like Power Macintosh, the new servers are based on
the PowerPC 601 microprocessor, which was jointly developed by Apple, IBM,
and Motorola as part of their historic 1991 alliance. When running new
versions of application and server software optimized for PowerPC, such as
workgroup database and publishing applications, the new Workgroup Servers
offer two to four-times the performance of today's Motorola 680x0-based
systems.
The new Workgroup Servers also offer Apple's traditional ease-of- use,
set-up, and administration. The systems are ideal for professional
publishing, education, small to medium-size organizations, and
Macintosh-dominated workgroups within larger enterprises.
Using RISC technology, the new servers run the same PowerPC- enhanced
version of the Macintosh System 7 operating system as the desktop Power
Macintosh computers introduced six weeks ago. This makes them ideal for
running publishing, database, accounting, file and print, electronic-mail,
calendar, and remote access applications designed for operation on System 7
. In the future, the systems will also be capable of running NetWare 4, the
industry-leading network operating system from Novell, Inc. (See related
release).
Apple's Server Family Grows
The new PowerPC processor-based server systems extend Apple's current family
of Workgroup Servers, which use Motorola's 68040 microprocessors: the
Workgroup Server 60 and Workgroup Server 80, which run the Macintosh System
7 operating system, and the Workgroup Server 95, which runs A/UX , Apple's
UNIX implementation. The Workgroup Server 95 is the highest performance
AppleShare server.
The 68040-based systems offer the best price/performance for running
basic office productivity services , such as file/print sharing and
electronic mail services. "We believe demand for our 68040-based Workgroup
Servers will remain strong, based on their excellent price/performance and
the very attractive upgrade path to PowerPC," Groff said.
Apple will offer PowerPC processor logic board upgrades for existing
Workgroup Server 60 and Workgroup Server 80 customers as well as Macintosh
Quadra 900 and 950 customers who want to upgrade to a Workgroup Server
9150. Workgroup Server 95 customers will also be provided a migration path
to PowerOpen and PowerPC processor-based servers from Apple in the future.
"New systems based on the PowerPC processor represent a bold new world
for Apple resellers and we are excited by the prospects of this new
technology," said Jay Sugi, president of Advanced Systems and Peripherals,
Inc. (ASAP), an Apple authorized reseller based in St.Louis, Missouri.
"With industry-leading price/performance, we expect the new Workgroup
Servers and logic board upgrades to boost our server business. Many of our
customers have already been asking about them."
Compatibility of Apple Software Services
Ensuring its software services are compatible with the new Workgroup
Servers, Apple will provide updates for its server software, including
PowerShare Collaboration Servers, AppleShare, AppleSearch, and Apple Remote
Access. With new updates, these value-added services will be compatible
with the new Workgroup Servers, providing comparable performance to
Motorola's 68040 microprocessor-based systems. The client software for these
services is compatible with Power Macintosh computers and requires no update.
Apple also announced its intention to enhance its software services to
take full advantage of the PowerPC processor performance. Optimized
software, tuned to take advantage of native PowerPC performance, is expected
in conjunction with future releases of the Macintosh operating system.
Availability and Pricing
The Workgroup Servers and PowerPC 601 processor-based upgrades will be
available beginning May 2 in the U.S. RAID software will ship separately
later this year. Systems will be offered worldwide through Apple authorized
resellers. Customers can get information on the location of a nearby Apple
authorized reseller by calling 1-800-538-9696.
The U.S. Apple price for the Workgroup Server 6150 is $4,219. The
Workgroup Server 8150 is Apple priced in the U.S. at $7,459 or with
AppleShare pre-installed, $8,499. The Workgroup Server 9150 is Apple priced
in the U.S. at $9,229 or with AppleShare pre- installed, $10,269.
A Workgroup Server 6150 Logic Board Upgrade for a Workgroup Server 60
is Apple priced in the U.S. at $1,259. A Workgroup Server 8150 Logic Board
Upgrade for a Workgroup Server 80 is Apple priced in the U.S. at $1,899. A
Workgroup Server Logic Board Upgrade for upgrading a Macintosh Quadra 900 or
950 to a Workgroup Server 9150 is Apple priced in the U.S. at $2,499.
As a special promotion, PowerPC processor-based Workgroup Server
customers who return their registration cards will receive a complimentary
copy of GraceLAN Server Manager 3.0 from Apple.
Contact Apple authorized resellers for details on the new Workgroup
Servers or logic board upgrades. Product availability, pricing, and
configurations may vary outside the U.S.
Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple Computer, Inc., (NASDAQ:
AAPL) develops, manufactures and markets personal computer, server and
personal interactive electronic systems for use in business, education, the
home, science, engineering and government. A recognized pioneer and
innovator in the information industry, Apple does business in more than 120
countries.
-30-
Apple, the Apple logo, AppleShare, AppleTalk, A/UX, Macintosh, and
Macintosh Quadra are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
AppleSearch, Power Macintosh, PowerShare, and System 7 are trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc. PowerPC are trademarks of International Business
Machines Corp. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft
Corp. Other products or companies mentioned may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of the respective companies and are used here with no intent to
infringe upon that trademark.