A motherboard or logic board connects your computer's components.
Do-it-yourself PC builders are familiar with a computer's motherboard as the primary component to which they connect virtually every other internal component. Apple Computer refers to the primary component of its computers as a logic board. These two terms are virtually interchangeable now, but there are subtle differences that are more pronounced in older models.
Motherboard
A computer's motherboard connects all of its components, including its CPU, RAM, level 2 cache, graphics card and all peripherals. A motherboard normally features sockets for adding or removing components, enabling the user to upgrade without purchasing a new computer. The motherboard also uses a small battery to power its configuration memory and internal clock so that you don't have to reset the time and reconfigure settings every time it's unplugged.
Logic Board
In the 1980s and 90s, Macs used a proprietary board similar to a PC motherboard but customized for use with its Motorola processors and proprietary peripheral connections like the Apple Desktop Bus. Some Mac logic boards included a button enabling you to reset the computer's Power Management Unit. Since 2006 Mac computers have used Intel processors and standard components interchangeable with those in PCs running Windows, so a modern Mac logic board bears little functional difference from a PC motherboard. In fact, some do-it-yourself builders have used PC motherboards to create computers that will run Mac OS X.
Components
The primary differences between Mac logic boards and PC motherboards involve the components that connect to each type of board. For example, older Macs using Motorola processors would not accept an Intel processor. Modern Macs use standard technologies that are interchangeable with the equivalent PC components. Components like graphics cards may require firmware for compatibility with a specific operating system, so although a card may physically connect with both Mac and PC boards, it may not function correctly on both types of computer.
Availability
PC Motherboards are readily available as individual components from many online and physical stores, and you can often upgrade an older computer by installing a new motherboard at a low cost. Only Apple manufactures Mac logic boards, which tend to be more expensive than PC motherboards. Most Mac logic boards are customized in size and shape for a specific Mac model.
Tags: logic boards, computer motherboard, have used, interchangeable with, Motorola processors