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>One issue is there's a significant conflict of interest between their device and CPU businesses. Apple left them precisely because Samsung is a competitor in h
by TMWNN 5y ago
>One issue is there's a significant conflict of interest between their device and CPU businesses. Apple left them precisely because Samsung is a competitor in handsets, and other handset manufacturers are also wary of buying from them for the same reason.
Commodore manufactured the 6502 with its MOS subsidiary, but I don't believe that Apple or Atari hesitated from using the 6502 in their computers.
- sgtnoodle 5y agoIt seems like the industry, players and technology involved have evolved and matured significantly since 6502 CPUs were relevant. Is Commodore or Atari even still around? If Samsung came out with a contemporary CPU with 2x the compute per watt of the M1, Apple would probably be interested in it. Notably, it seems like Intel had the capability and head start to have been able to develop such a CPU by now, but instead they held back progress to maximize their profits. It was apparently a bad long term strategy, as they've now lost their lead. The market moved on around them.
- doctorshady 5y agoBut other companies, like Rockwell Semiconductor, manufactured perfectly good 6502 clones. If MOS tightened the screws, Atari or Apple could've simply headed to any other number of suppliers. The same can't necessarily be said for a competitive processor today.