The MC68040 is a microprocessor developed by Motorola and released in 1990. It is part of the 68k family of processors and features a 32-bit architecture, which allows it to handle larger amounts of data compared to its predecessors. The MC68040 includes an integrated memory management unit (MMU) and a built-in floating-point unit (FPU), enhancing its performance for complex calculations and multitasking. This processor was widely used in personal computers, workstations, and embedded systems during the early 1990s. It supported various operating systems, including Mac OS and Unix, making it versatile for different applications. The MC68040 was known for its speed and efficiency, contributing to advancements in computing technology at the time.