Pin-compatible

Pin-compatible is a term from the semi-conductor industry. Integrated circuits are packaged in standardized form factors. When a competitor manufactures a chip that works the same as an earlier chip, and plugs into the same socket as the original chip, it is said to be pin-compatible. Manufacturers sometimes introduce new chips, pin-compatible with their earlier model, but with new features. Manufacturers introduce chips that work the same as their competitors chips.