Intel once saved Apple, now Cupertino may return the favor
If you have a long enough memory you may still recall the moment then-Intel CEO, Paul Otellini joined Apple CEO, Steve Jobs on stage to announce the transition of the Mac to Intel chips. This was a huge shift which arguably rejuvenated the Mac.
It may be that Apple is about to return the favor and help rejuvenate Intel as news continues to percolate that Apple may ask Intel to manufacture M-series Apple Silicon chips for its devices.
A triumph of mobile
Looking back on the Intel transition of 2005, in 2006 Otellini declined to design and manufacture chips for iPhone, an error that means today the Macs we use are run by processors achieved as Apple built chips for iPhones itself, working with Arm and TSMC.
History moves forward, and today Intel seems to be nowhere in a market for modern processors currently defined by Apple, TSMC, Nvidia and very much informed by advances in mobile processor design.
This is creating huge problems for Intel, which has seen stock value decline massively as investors vote with the only thing they really care about – capital. Intel meanwhile is achieving some support from a US government that does at least understand the importance of maintaining control of strategic assets, such as processor production.
US investment first?
Apple gets this too and in the face of continued pressure to invest in US jobs may now have decided to diversify its supply chain a little, bringing Intel in to manufacture older M-series chips for use in some devices, reporting claims. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Intel could become one of Apple’s foundry suppliers, starting with those early M-chips.
Kuo also said, “Apple previously signed an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) with Intel and obtained the advanced-node 18AP PDK 0.9.1GA.”
The partnership arguably leaves the Apple/TSMC relationship intact, enabling that company to focus on the higher end M-series chips Apple’s future will be built on, even as it continues to invest in US infrastructure.
Intel’s stock continues to rise on strength of the market speculation.
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