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They design and build not one but two CPU architectures, s390/Z and POWER. Both have been around for many years, but neither is obsolete, they're just not desi
by shrimppersimmon 6mo ago
They design and build not one but two CPU architectures, s390/Z and POWER.
Both have been around for many years, but neither is obsolete, they're just not designed for consumer applications.
They still generate $10-15 billion per year in revenue.
- eru 6mo agoPower was used in customer applications a long time ago? I think Apple used them for a while and so did some game consoles?
- shrimppersimmon 6mo agoYes. Apple used PowerPC, and PowerPC was also in the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and Wii U. It was also widespread in embedded sectors like networking, automotive, and aerospace. IBM eventually stepped away from the embedded market and eventually lost their foothold in consoles as well. While Raptor did offer Power9 systems at a somewhat accessible price point, the IBM-produced CPUs were still fundamentally enterprise-grade hardware, meaning they retained the high costs and "big iron" features of server tech.
- mghackerlady 6mo agoWhat I wouldn't give for raptor money... they've gotten more and more expensive as time went on
- kstrauser 6mo agoSort of, in the form of PowerPC, which was an Apple-IBM-Motorola (“AIM”) collaboration. It’s closely related to IBM’s Power line, but more like a predecessor than a sibling.
- dcrazy 6mo agoWasn’t PowerPC cut down from POWER?
- panick21_ 6mo agoThe designed many, many more CPU architectures.
- kitd 6mo agoThey also designed the Cell CPU used in Nintendo Wiis, among others.