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.

• Design Engineer

  Gary L. Embler.

• Product Design and Development Areas

  Processor Daughter Board Circuit

  Performed design and development of the processor daughter board circuit. This included the processor interface, north bridge IC interface, processor clock, boot ROM, and main memory interface for EDO DRAM-type memory.

  North Bridge IC

  Performed design validation of the Apple-proprietary north bridge IC. Performed tests on Chip Express LPGA prototype ICs.

• References

  "Macintosh PowerBook 500 with PowerPC: Technical Specifications," Apple Computer, 2002.

  "Macintosh PowerBook Processor Card Upgrade Kit Developer Note," A. Watson, Apple Computer, 1995.