Intel to fab ARM chips for Apple? It's possible... →
Jon Stokes:
Apple is looking to get away from using Samsung to fab its A4 and A5 chips, because the Cupertino-based company is currently suing Samsung for allegedly ripping off elements of the iPhone and iPad. The most logical Samsung alternative is TSMC, and Apple probably is looking to source some of its production there, but TSMC is making ARM parts for everyone and their uncle, so there would be no hope of getting a process lead on the next guy. Enter Intel, which is a full process generation ahead of the ARM camp, and is already making chips for Apple’s PCs
I’m convinced Intel can and would definitely like to make these chips for Apple. I also feel Apple is resistant to this idea for the reasons Jon states later in his article:
Intel is in the business of enabling Apple’s competitors by handing them complete “reference designs” to productize, and the chipmaker would love nothing more than to drown the iPad in a wave of Atom-based tablets from ASUS, Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer, and anyone else who wants to get in on the action. Apple knows this, and it makes Intel an even less attractive partner for them than Samsung.
