The hottest Microprocessors Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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NCR Tower 1632

Computer Ads from the Past • 896 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Microprocessors
  1. The Tower 1632 was a compact, under-desk microcomputer built around the Motorola 68000 that ran an enhanced UNIX, supported up to 16 users, had 256KB–2MB of memory and expandable disk storage up to about 1GB, and was sold to OEMs for roughly $12,000.
  2. NCR shifted its organization to push decision-making down to plant and product managers and act more entrepreneurial, enabling faster development and release of systems like the Tower 1632.
  3. Hardware and software features like Multibus I/O, power-fail memory recovery, IP protection, and multiple communications options looked strong on paper, but users reported unreliable or outdated OS releases, slow or failing disks, weak driver support, and difficult file transfers that limited real-world use.

MIPS

The Chip Letter • 10920 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Microprocessors
  1. MIPS was once a leading computer architecture that powered many devices, but it recently lost its relevance as it shifted away from its original designs.
  2. Despite its decline, MIPS had a notable impact on technology history, including being part of significant products like the Nintendo 64 and contributing to the development of early RISC designs.
  3. Today, while MIPS the architecture isn't prominent anymore, it still exists in some older devices and has influenced technology in places like China.

Eight More 8-Bit Era Microprocessors

The Chip Letter • 4368 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Microprocessors
  1. Designs that were not commercially successful can still be interesting and hold value for learning.
  2. Intel's 8085 microprocessor, while not a bad design, was overshadowed by Zilog's Z80 due to lack of major improvements.
  3. Signetics 2650 microprocessor faced limitations such as delayed time to market and segmented memory, showing the importance of timely releases and memory efficiency.

The Incredible Shrinking Transistor

Bits and Bytes • 41 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Microprocessors
  1. Transistors are shrinking and becoming more powerful, with a goal of reaching one trillion transistors in a small chip by 2030. This will help meet the increasing demand for computing power, especially for AI.
  2. To keep improving transistor technology, new innovations in materials and designs are needed. The challenge is to make these transistors more energy-efficient, allowing them to run on lower voltages while still performing well.
  3. Upcoming technologies like the RibbonFET and potentially stacked transistors are expected to enhance performance and efficiency. These developments aim to tackle the energy demands of modern computing and ensure we can continue to create faster, smaller devices.

Motorola's 6809 : The Best 8-Bit?

The Chip Letter • 17 HN points • 03 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Microprocessors
  1. Motorola's 6809 microprocessor series evolved to become a major player in the 8-bit era, competing with the likes of Intel and Zilog.
  2. The architecture of the 6809 was designed with 'source code' compatibility with the 6800, allowing programs written in 6800 assembly language to run, but with changes in machine code.
  3. Despite its advancements, the 6809 faced limitations due to the rise of more advanced processors like the 68000, leading to it being seen as an evolutionary rather than revolutionary design.
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Intel & AMD: The First 30 Years

The Asianometry Newsletter • 2 HN points • 31 May 23
🕹 Technology Microprocessors
  1. Intel's founding purpose was to exploit the semiconductor memory market, leading to the creation of the first commercial microprocessor, the Intel 4004, in 1971.
  2. AMD started as a reliable second-source provider for chips, using reverse-engineering to produce the Am9080 and becoming a major seller in the market.
  3. The rivalry between Intel and AMD escalated over time, involving complex legal battles over microcode and patent infringements until a settlement was reached in 1995.