Comment by melonpan7
13 hours ago
The author doesn’t seem to understand that Apple places RAM orders years in advance. I’m not sure if it’s even feasible or possible for Apple to fully integrate their supply chain and open up memory fabs, the cost of entry must be enormous.
And by "places orders" we mean "helps TSMC acquire plots of land on which their next facilities will be constructed" kind of level of scope, timing, and commitment.
Yes I believe that’s what being a manufacturer partner entails
In my experience, the corporate-speak "partnering with" can mean almost anything.
Apple gives TSMC a billion dollars to build a cutting edge fab dedicated to making Apple's chips, a deal they repeat several times over more than a decade? Partnership.
Youtuber takes $300 to read an ad, giving viewers a 10% discount code? Also a partnership.
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TSMC doesn't make RAM do they?
Fair, and I meant it as illustrative of partner depth generally rather than as a specific example around RAM.