As well as being available on the popular x86 and x86-64 architectures, Ubuntu is compatible with the Power architecture developed by both IBM and Freescale. PowerPC, or PPC, uses a RISC processor that in some cases outperforms a similar Intel-based processor. Until recently, Apple produced all of their computers with PowerPC processors at the core. However, issues with supply and the delay in moving to a 3Ghz+ G5 chip forced Apple to look to Intel to provide the chips. However, both IBM and Freescale are heavily supporting the Power architecture, and companies such as Mercury and Genesi continue to provide workstations based around the Power chipset. |