San Jose, California-based Radius Inc has introduced the Radius Rocket, a CPU accelerator for the Macintosh II family of computers, which use the NuBus. Designed for use in 68030 and 68020-based Mac IIs, the Rocket is also an integral component in Radius’ high-performance colour system. The Rocket includes the QuickColor Graphics Engine and the QuickCAD Graphics Engine for display list processing. The thing is built around a 25MHz or 33MHz version of the 68040 and its key feature is that it does not replace the Macintosh CPU – it works with it creating a multiprocessing environment where Rocket and the Macintosh processor share tasks according to ability. The 68030 handles low level tasks while Rocket processes the higher level tasks so that if a video application had the capability to play stereo sound to an accompanying animation, the application could use Rocket to display the video and the Macintosh processor to play the sound – and for those starting from scratch, new applications can be designed to take advantage of the Rocket’s 68040 processor, the Macintosh processor and additional processors that can be connected to the Rocket Processor Direct Slot. Rocket leaves the Macintosh RAM intact and users can populate the board with from 2Mb to 128Mb of system memory using 80nS, 100nS and 120nS Single In-line Module Memories. It comes with the RocketWare control software and all RocketWare features are accessed from the Macintosh Control Panel with a Master Switch that turns the thing on and off – when on, Rocket assumes control of the Macintosh and accelerates all applications and functions. The Rocket board sells for $3,500 plus the cost of what memory is required.
