Comment by alwillis
3 months ago
> Why Apple don't just buy Intel?
Apple doesn't need a fab. They bought P.A. Semi in 2008, which got them microprocessor design talent that lead to Apple Silicon.
> That would allow better vertical integration.
Apple already ships devices with CPUs, GPUs, NPU's (Neural Processing Unit), modem and wi-fi chipsets all designed by them. I'll also add the H2 audio processor in the AirPods.
It's hard to get more vertically integrated than that.
[1]: https://daringfireball.net/linked/2021/11/02/pa-semi-looking...
I always thought that while PA Semi brought some power efficiency tech to Apple, many didn't stick around. And that the Intrinsity team made also made significant contribution, having validated their tech in Samsung's Hummingbird core.