Quote: "
and Andy i'm not aware of the limitations on the Alpha processors
capable to being used, as i've only used the Intel Alpha and Sun
Alpha processors.
"
Intel has never produced Alpha processors and neither has Sun.
I suspect you use Alpha as a synonym for RISC CPU, which is a problem in itself.
Quote: "
Both OSX and Windows have the ability to have the others
processors; and infact quite a few business solution versions of
the operating systems have the additional processor setups within
the kernel.
"
Frankly, I think you are confusing a boatload of issues here.
This is what Microsoft has to say about it:
Quote: "
CPU Architecture. Are you using an x86 or non-x86 CPU? If you are using an X86 CPU, you can use either Windows CE .NET or Windows XP Embedded. If you are using a non-X86 CPU, then you must use Windows CE .NET, which supports four families of microprocessors, including:
ARM. Examples of supported processors include ARM720T, ARM920T, ARM1020T, StrongARM, and XScale.
MIPS. Supported processors include MIPS II/32 with FP, MIPS II/32 without FP, MIPS16, MIPS IV/64 with FP, and MIPS IV/64 without FP.
SHx. Supported processors include SH-3, SH-3 DSP, and SH-4.
X86. Supported processors include 486, 586, Geode, and Pentium I, II, III, and IV.
"
Don't confuse embedded and desktop Windows, and don't confuse the Alpha RISC support which still exist in the NT kernel, with generic support for non-x86 architectures.
Quote: "
The reason why you can't run OSX on the x86 and Windows on the PPC is simply because Microsoft and Apple have a deal.
Microsoft keeps out of Apple's domain and in return Apple have 100% Windows compatibility, Apple keep out of Microsoft's domain and in return Windows has 100% OSX compatibility.
"
Except Microsoft has moved in on Apple like never before in the last 2 years by acquiring several key emulation technologies on the PowerMAC platform.
Quote: "
I thought that NT4 was limited to the Intel and Dec-Alpha platforms
"
It was! Meanwhile the DEC Alpha became the Compaq Alpha and finally the HP Alpha and has since been cancelled... It's ironic that **the Alpha** will become the mainstay of the chinese Space program after HP has cancelled it.
EDIT: I should have written 'An Alpha derivative'
Andy
