BeBox

The BeBox was a personal computer developed by Be Inc. and released in 1995. It was designed as a high-performance multimedia machine aimed at creative professionals. The BeBox featured a unique dual-processor architecture, initially using two PowerPC 603 processors running at 66 MHz, which offered significant parallel processing capabilities for its time. The system ran BeOS, an advanced operating system also developed by Be Inc. BeOS was known for its preemptive multitasking, multithreading, and a focus on media processing, including built-in support for various audio and video codecs. The hardware itself was housed in a distinctive yellow, cube-shaped case. Be Inc. was founded by Jean-Louis Gassée, a former executive at Apple Computer. The BeBox was intended to compete with high-end workstations from Silicon Graphics and Apple's Macintosh line. Despite its innovative technology and promising BeOS, the BeBox struggled to gain significant market traction. Factors contributing to its limited success included a high price point, limited software availability, and strong competition in the personal computer market. Be Inc. eventually shifted its focus from hardware to licensing BeOS to other manufacturers, and later sold its assets to Palm, Inc. in 2003. The BeBox remains a notable example of a forward-thinking computer system that pushed the boundaries of personal computing in the mid-1990s.