Offers Mac OS X Support, Storage Expansion and Data Protection for
the Power Mac G5
PARIS and SUNNYVALE, Calif., September 12, 2006 — At Apple Expo in
Paris today, Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC) [NASDAQ-GS:
AMCC] announced the availability of the 3ware Sidecar SATA II
desktop storage solution, providing robust hardware RAID data
protection for the Apple Power Mac G5. The 3ware Sidecar offers up
to three terabytes in capacity and RAID 5 write speeds up to 150MB
per second, making the solution ideal for professional audio and
video, high-end graphics and workstation applications.
AMCC brings to the Mac market many years of experience in developing
high performance RAID controller systems for the Linux and Windows
environments. Its new 3ware Sidecar leverages the company’s 3ware
StorSwitch architecture, and integrates custom-designed firmware,
hardware and management software optimized for high bandwidth
applications.
“The storage aftermarket for Macintosh environments is underserved,”
said Mike Karp, senior analyst at Enterprise Management Associates of
Boulder, Colo. “Mac ‘prosumers’ generate lots of data, but up until
now they have had very limited choices when it was time to add more
storage – they could either buy a low-end desktop storage solution or
make the very substantial investment needed to acquire a Fibre
Channel-based system. AMCC’s 3ware Sidecar is a true hardware RAID
solution that fills the gap between those extremes.”
With up to six times the speed of FireWire and USB 2.0, the 3ware
Sidecar is comprised of a sleek 4-bay, external SATA desktop
enclosure; a two-meter external SATA Multi-laneTM cable; a 3ware PCI
Express to SATA II RAID controller and RAID management software.
“The 3ware Sidecar will lead the Mac aftermarket as the only true
SATA hardware-based RAID solution,” stated Scott Cleland, director of
marketing at AMCC Storage. “Our proven track record in developing,
delivering and supporting business-critical RAID solutions sets us
apart. The 3ware Sidecar will give demanding Mac users the peace of
mind to never have to worry about running out of capacity or losing
their data because of a failed drive.”
“Recording 24 96kHz/24-bit tracks and editing DV and HDV Video with
the 3ware Sidecar is a breeze,” said Stephen Burich of Shadowtree
Productions, a music and video production house based in San Jose,
Calif. “With its speed, massive storage capacity and critical RAID 5
protection, the 3ware Sidecar is now a permanent part of my studio.”
The 3ware Sidecar RAID controller provides onboard processors to
deliver true hardware RAID. Software RAID schemes use the host
system’s processor, exploit host memory, potentially rob the system
of as much as 60% of its CPU cycles just to process RAID
calculations, and compromise reliability, risking data loss in an
operating system failure.
Pricing and Availability
The AMCC 3ware Sidecar will begin shipping later this month to AMCC’s
worldwide network of distributors, VARs and direct market resellers.
Suggested list price for the 3ware Sidecar is $1,295; disk drives are
not included.
About AMCC
AMCC blends systems and software expertise to provide the essential
building blocks for the processing, moving and storing of data
worldwide. The #1 high-port count Serial ATA RAID controller line,
AMCC’s 3ware family of SATA RAID storage solutions deliver
cost-effective, high-performance, high-capacity storage for
enterprises and consumers worldwide in applications such as
disk-to-disk backup, near-line storage, network-attached storage
(NAS), video, and high-performance computing. The company is
headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with offices throughout the
world. For more information, visit (http://www.3ware.com/) or
(http://www.amcc.com/).
