Computer History Museum

PowerPC Macintosh prototype “Smurf” NuBus RSC processor board

<p>Object is a printed circuit card with a CPU, finned heat-sink, support chips, and a variety of connectors. Per the donor description this is an "Apple Smurf Card (cause it is blue) 1st PowerPC prototype card to test out the 68K emulator, etc." The card is from 1992, and was designed by Ron Hochsprung as an early software development board using IBM's RSC (RIOS Single Chip) processor. It was used for 68000 simulator and runtime development before the availability of the first 601 PowerPC chips for use in the first Power Macintosh models. A second-generation card (The "Smurf" 601) was developed by Hochsprung when PowerPC chips were available. Before the "Smurf", Hochsprung designed a Nubus 88100 card (Cub card) which was used for the earliest development of 68000 simulator code by Gary Davidian. All three cards used a debugger called KDB.</p>

PowerPC Macintosh prototype “Smurf” NuBus RSC processor board - Image 1
PowerPC Macintosh prototype “Smurf” NuBus RSC processor board - Image 2

Item Details

Date
1992 (Made)
Type
Physical Object
Catalogue number
102674143
Other identifying number
AP1834-02
FCRNEVT1-257
Organization
Apple Computer, Inc. (Manufacturer)
Credit line
Gift of Steve Jasik
Place of publication
North America/USA
Weight
1 (lb)
Dimension
12 3/4w x 1 1/2h x 4l (in)
32.38w x 3.81h x 10.16l (cm)
Acquisition number
X2665.2004