4 ms·

AMD is beating intel on price and performance and they have a fraction of the resources of Apple. Intel is behind on process and has been for a couple of gener

AMD is beating intel on price and performance and they have a fraction of the resources of Apple. Intel is behind on process and has been for a couple of generations right as everyone hits a process wall. For the first time since I got into computers in the late 80s Intel looks vulnerable. As to whether Apple would go ARM on a MacBook who knows, I’d guess they wouldn’t but they could straight buy AMD in cash so it’s not beyond the realm they could tool up for desktop class ARM.

bshipp 7y ago
Indeed, AMD is finally in a good position after years wandering the desert. That said, this current strong performance is the result of years of R&D, something that would have to be built from the ground up if Apple was to try and replicate it. I can't help but think there must be some secret benefit to make them pursue such a risky endeavour for something so tangential to their comparative advantage. Apple doesn't sell custom components, they sell consumer experiences. They must be planning on going a completely different direction with iOS to warrant custom processor technology.
- sprafa 7y ago
  I suppose hiring people like this (and this is he one we hear about they could have hired 20-30 people without anyone noticing) is a way to shortcut such R&D
- IOT_Apprentice 7y ago
  Umm, you do realize that Apple has a large design team and outsources Fab to TSMC? Their iPhone/iPAD/AppleTV hardware platforms already run on their own ARM chip design. They SHIP over 70 MILLION units a quarter. They have the R&D teams already churning out new designs each year. How is this risky?
Wowfunhappy 7y ago
Notably, AMD isn’t ARM.
LgWoodenBadger 7y ago
If Apple bought AMD, they'd lose out on all of the Intel-licensed IP because of the poison pull in the cross-patent licensing agreements between Intel/AMD in case of an AMD acquisition. At least, that's according to what I've read about it.
xxs 7y ago
but they could straight buy AMD in cash so it’s not beyond the realm they could tool up for desktop class ARM The cross licensing deal (of AMD on x86) with Intel would be off. Pretty much AMD is not sellable in this regard. AMD could produce/design an ARM chiplet, attached with infinity fabric to their Zen2.

bshipp 7y ago

Indeed, AMD is finally in a good position after years wandering the desert. That said, this current strong performance is the result of years of R&D, something that would have to be built from the ground up if Apple was to try and replicate it. I can't help but think there must be some secret benefit to make them pursue such a risky endeavour for something so tangential to their comparative advantage. Apple doesn't sell custom components, they sell consumer experiences. They must be planning on going a completely different direction with iOS to warrant custom processor technology.

sprafa 7y ago
I suppose hiring people like this (and this is he one we hear about they could have hired 20-30 people without anyone noticing) is a way to shortcut such R&D
IOT_Apprentice 7y ago
Umm, you do realize that Apple has a large design team and outsources Fab to TSMC? Their iPhone/iPAD/AppleTV hardware platforms already run on their own ARM chip design. They SHIP over 70 MILLION units a quarter. They have the R&D teams already churning out new designs each year. How is this risky?

Wowfunhappy 7y ago

Notably, AMD isn’t ARM.

LgWoodenBadger 7y ago

If Apple bought AMD, they'd lose out on all of the Intel-licensed IP because of the poison pull in the cross-patent licensing agreements between Intel/AMD in case of an AMD acquisition. At least, that's according to what I've read about it.

xxs 7y ago

but they could straight buy AMD in cash so it’s not beyond the realm they could tool up for desktop class ARM The cross licensing deal (of AMD on x86) with Intel would be off. Pretty much AMD is not sellable in this regard. AMD could produce/design an ARM chiplet, attached with infinity fabric to their Zen2.