AMHz

AMHz refers to a unit of measurement used in computing and electronics to denote the frequency of a processor's clock signal. The term is derived from "A" (indicating a specific context or brand) followed by "MHz," which stands for megahertz, a standard unit representing one million cycles per second. While "MHz" is a widely recognized metric, the prefix "A" in "AMHz" is not a standard SI unit and is typically associated with certain brands or specific contexts, such as older Apple processors.

In the early 2000s, Apple Inc. used the term "AMHz" to describe the clock speed of its PowerPC processors, particularly in the G3 and G4 series. This notation was part of Apple’s marketing strategy to differentiate its processors from those of competitors, who primarily used GHz (gigahertz) for measurement. For example, a PowerPC G4 processor might be labeled as 1.5 AMHz, indicating a clock speed of 1.5 MHz, though this was misleading since the actual frequency was significantly higher—typically in the hundreds of MHz or GHz range. This practice led to confusion among consumers and critics, as the "A" prefix was not standardized and did not align with conventional frequency measurements.

Over time, Apple transitioned to using standard GHz notation for processor speeds, particularly after adopting Intel-based processors in 2006. The use of "AMHz" faded as industry standards prevailed, and modern processors universally report clock speeds in GHz. Today, the term is largely obsolete and is rarely encountered outside of historical references to Apple’s early PowerPC lineup.