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In the context of computers, PPC refers to PowerPC, a family of microprocessors and the reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture they are based on. Created by the Apple-IBM-Motorola (AIM) alliance in the early 1990s, the PowerPC was designed as a high-performance, power-efficient alternative to the x86 architecture.

Key technical features

RISC Architecture: The PowerPC is a RISC processor, which executes simpler, faster instructions. This differs from the complex instruction set computer (CISC) architecture used by the x86 processors from Intel and AMD.

Endianness: A distinctive feature of the PowerPC architecture is its ability to switch between big-endian and little-endian modes. This allows for compatibility with different types of systems and data storage methods.

POWER ISA: In 2006, the evolving PowerPC instruction set was renamed the Power ISA. The open-standard Power.org foundation now manages the specification.