Editing Motorola 68000 (section)

===Sampling and production===
Formally introduced in September 1979,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://processortimeline.info/ |author=Ken Polsson |title=Chronology of Microprocessors |publisher=Processortimeline.info |access-date=2013-09-27 |archive-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819200821/http://processortimeline.info/ |url-status=live }}</ref> initial samples were released in February 1980, with production chips available over the counter in November.<ref name="easy68k">{{citation |url=http://www.easy68k.com/paulrsm/dg/dg29.htm |title=DTACK GROUNDED, The Journal of Simple 68000/16081 Systems |issue=29 |date=March 1984 |page=9 |access-date=October 31, 2011 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310103652/http://www.easy68k.com/paulrsm/dg/dg29.htm |url-status=live }}.</ref> Initial speed grades were 4, 6, and 8&nbsp;[[Hertz|MHz]]. 10&nbsp;MHz chips became available during 1981,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Motorola was the rival to beat, and its 68000 its greatest success |url=https://tekdeeps.com/motorola-was-the-rival-to-beat-and-its-68000-its-greatest-success/ |access-date=13 September 2022 |website=tekdeeps |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913122857/https://tekdeeps.com/motorola-was-the-rival-to-beat-and-its-68000-its-greatest-success/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref> and 12.5&nbsp;MHz chips by June 1982.<ref name="easy68k" /> The 16.67&nbsp;MHz "12F" version of the MC68000, the fastest version of the original HMOS chip, was not produced until the late 1980s.

By the start of 1981, the 68k was winning orders in the high end, and Gunter began to approach Apple to win their business. At that time, the 68k sold for about $125 in quantity. In meetings with [[Steve Jobs]], Jobs talked about using the 68k in the [[Apple Lisa]], but stated "the real future is in this product that I'm personally doing. If you want this business, you got to commit that you'll sell it for $15."{{sfn|Oral|2007|p=12}} Motorola countered by offering to sell it at $55 at first, then step down to $35, and so on. Jobs agreed, and the [[Macintosh 128K|Macintosh]] moved from the [[Motorola 6809|6809]] to the 68k. The average price eventually reached $14.76.{{sfn|Oral|2007|p=12}}