PowerPC® PowerBook® Processor Card Upgrade

The PowerPC PowerBook Processor Card Upgrade is an an optional processor upgrade card for the Macintosh PowerBook 500 Series notebook computers. This card upgrades the processor of these computers from the standard Motorola MC68LC040 or MC68040 processor to the Motorola MPC603e PowerPC processor.

• Company

  Apple Computer, Inc.

• Design Engineer

  Gary L. Embler

• Product Design and Development Areas

  Processor daughter board

  Designed and developed the processor daughter board circuit. This includes the processor interface, north bridge chip interface, processor clock, boot ROM, and main memory interface for EDO DRAM-type memory.

  North bridge chip

  Performed design validation of the Apple-proprietary north bridge chip. Performed tests using Chip Express LPGA prototype chips.

• References

  1. "Macintosh PowerBook 500 with PowerPC: Technical Specifications," Apple Computer, Inc., 2002.
  2. "Macintosh PowerBook Processor Card Upgrade Kit Developer Note," A. Watson, Apple Computer, Inc., 1995.