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hß · HardwareCurated

A new Amiga with a Transmeta CPU and Linux?

Summary

In August 1999 ClieNT Server NEWS reported that Amiga was considered the first OEM customer of the mysterious company Transmeta. Amiga spoke of a “very exciting” CPU for the Amiga MCC, which was to run a slimmed-down Linux and execute classic Amiga programs. Little more was known about Transmeta at the time than Linus Torvalds’ answer “Cool stuff” and a patent that pointed to the emulation of arbitrary instruction sets.

Ideas

  • An emulation layer in the CPU was to execute foreign instruction sets.
  • The new Amiga was to combine Linux as a base with compatibility with old Amiga programs.
  • Linus Torvalds had been working at Transmeta since 1997 without revealing details.
  • The rumours were based on an industry newsletter and a published patent.

Insights

  • Secrecy creates rumours that are often bigger than the eventual product.
  • Platforms with a loyal fan base like to attempt restarts using third-party standard software such as Linux.

Facts

  • Amiga boss Jim Collas announced the first devices for the first quarter of 2000.
  • Linus Torvalds had been working at Transmeta since spring 1997.

References

Critique

  • The report is based on unconfirmed reports; both companies remained officially silent.

Remarks

  • In January 2000 Transmeta presented the Crusoe processor, which translated x86 code by code morphing; the Amiga MCC never appeared.

Recommendations

  • Do not plan purchases on the basis of unconfirmed product rumours.
  • Assess emulation solutions by performance and compatibility under real load.

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