EXPONENTIAL UNVEILS WORLD'S FASTEST PC MICROPROCESSOR AT 533MHz
Exponential X704TM Microprocessor More Than Twice the Speed of
Competitive Solutions; Elevates PowerPCTM and MacintoshTM Systems to New
Levels of Performance
SAN JOSE, Calif., October 21, 1996 - Exponential Technology, emerging as
one of the industry's premier developers of high-performance
microprocessor products and technologies, today announced the world's
fastest PC microprocessor, the Exponential X704. The Exponential X704 is
designed for high-end PowerPC-compatible systems.
With a core clock speed of 533MHz - more than twice the speed of any PC
microprocessor solution currently available - the Exponential X704 brings
workstation-class processing power to PCs, raising the performance bar
for personal computing.
"Today's announcement will cause the industry to stand up and take
notice," said Satjiv Chahil, Senior Vice President of Corporate
Marketing, Apple Computer. "We think the Exponential X704 has the
potential to redefine PC multimedia computing, and bring a major
competitive advantage to the PowerPC platform and the Macintosh product
family. This innovation should be especially attractive to
power-Macintosh users who demand uncompromised performance for their
high-end graphics and multimedia applications."
Driven by users' insatiable appetite for faster PC performance, the
Exponential X704 is specifically designed to meet the extraordinary
processing demands of compute-intensive applications - including desktop
publishing, image processing, Web page creation, video editing, digital
animation, and high-end graphics/multimedia applications. The Exponential
X704 not only meets, but exceeds these demands, offering a level of PC
performance unmatched by competitive solutions currently available.
At 533MHz, the Exponential X704 unleashes the power of the most demanding
professional Macintosh/PowerPC applications - including Adobe Photoshop,
Illustrator, Premiere and AfterEffects, and Macromedia FreeHand -
allowing users to do more in less time for increased productivity.
"At 533MHz, Exponential's microprocessor really screams," said Mark
Kirstein, Group Manager, PC Market Services of In-Stat, a semiconductor
market research firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona. "Exponential's
innovative BiCMOS microprocessor technology and impressive product
roadmap gives them a substantial advantage in the highly competitive
semiconductor industry."
The Exponential X704 microprocessor will enter volume production in the
second quarter of 1997. System announcements are also expected in the
second quarter of 1997.
A Sustainable Advantage Exponential believes it is the first start-up
semiconductor company to aim from its inception for a performance
leadership position in the microprocessor market.
Exponential's microprocessor design is based on an innovative approach to
a semiconductor manufacturing technology called "BiCMOS." Exponential's
BiCMOS design uses a well-established "bipolar" process, known for its
ultra-fast speed, to form the core logic of the microprocessor. A more
common "CMOS" process is used for on-chip memory.
Exponential's unique BiCMOS approach enables PC manufacturers to build
and deliver competitively priced, high-performance systems years before
competitive solutions can reach similar microprocessor speed levels.
(Please see Exponential's BiCMOS Technology white paper for more
information.)
"With the announcement of our 533MHz microprocessor, Exponential is
firmly establishing a position of leadership within the industry," said
Rick Shriner, President and CEO, Exponential Technology. "Our innovative
BiCMOS process clearly differentiates our product from competitive
solutions."
"In addition, the unique combination of personnel we have assembled with
expertise in microprocessor design and bipolar technology truly sets
Exponential apart within the industry, giving us a long-term competitive
advantage," Shriner said.
Licensed PowerPC Architecture Designed to provide high performance while
maintaining compatibility with established industry specifications and
standards, the Exponential X704 is fully compatible with all existing
PowerPC/Macintosh applications. With its unparalleled processing power,
the Exponential X704 will unleash the full power of these applications,
giving users a robust PC productivity tool.
In addition, the Exponential X704 is fully compatible with existing
PowerPC hardware standards, including the 60X system bus, and is also
compatible with evolving industry standards, including the Common
Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP). This allows PC manufacturers to
easily design and incorporate Exponential X704-based systems into their
existing product lines, while minimizing the implementation costs
normally passed on to consumers.
Industry Support for Exponential In addition to Apple, Exponential has
also received wide support from IBM and Motorola, the remaining members
of the AIM alliance (a consortium of companies guiding the direction of
the PowerPC platform), as well as other key players in the PowerPC
industry:
"IBM congratulates Exponential on their development of a new PowerPC
microprocessor," said Ron Black, Director of PowerPC Microprocessor
Business, IBM Microelectronics. "The Exponential microprocessor is clear
proof of the strength of the PowerPC architecture."
"We think it is a positive step that microprocessor designers like
Exponential can take PowerPC technology in a different, new direction,"
said Phil Pompa, Director of Marketing, Motorola RISC Microprocessor
Division. "It will help grow the applications leadership already achieved
by the PowerPC architecture."
"Today's announcement marks an important step in the evolution of the
PowerPC platform," said Steve Kahng, President and CEO, Power Computing
Corporation. "Exponential's high-speed microprocessor brings a great
advantage to the platform and will enable Power to continue our track
record of leading-edge MacOS performance."
"Exponential's microprocessor promises to raise the performance bar for
desktop computing," said Peter Mehring, General Manager and Vice
President of Research and Development at UMAX Computer Corporation. "This
announcement should be of special interest to users who need powerful
system performance for their compute-intensive graphics and multimedia
applications, but aren't willing to pay workstation-class prices."
Pricing and Availability The Exponential X704 will be priced at the
$1,000 price point for large volume production orders.
The Exponential X704 will also be available in 500MHz and 466MHz
versions, providing PC manufacturers with the flexibility to offer
consumers several PC solutions.
Exponential Technology Exponential Technology is committed to delivering
high performance microprocessor products using innovative design
techniques and process technologies. The company's high-speed, bipolar
logic, BiCMOS microprocessor devices are specifically designed to meet
the critical processing requirements of compute-intensive applications.
Exponential intends to deliver breakthrough computing power that is
cost-effective and maintains compatibility with industry-standard
technology. Exponential was founded in June 1993 and is located in San
Jose, California.
Led by industry veterans Gordon Campbell and Rick Shriner, Exponential
has secured $17 million of financing from Apple Computer Corp., Venrock
Associates, Nazem and Co., Woodside Fund, Itochu, Innotech, and various
individual investors.
Reader Contact Information Readers who want more information about
Exponential can call (408) 441-6050, email info@exp.com, or access
Exponential's web site www.exp.com.
Exponential and Exponential X704 are trademarks of Exponential
Technology, Inc. PowerPC is a registered trademark of International
Business Machines, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks
are the property of their respective owners.