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Apple acquired PA Semi, which wasn't just an ASIC group, but arguably the best group of processor designers for high-performance, low-power computing. The grou

Apple acquired PA Semi, which wasn't just an ASIC group, but arguably the best group of processor designers for high-performance, low-power computing. The group previously built StrongArm (a famously high MIPS-per-watt processor in the 90s). It's a much more specialized skillset than normal ASIC dev. The reason it should work out better for Apple than it did for Sun is (1) Apple sticks with ARM architecture so they don't have to custom-build the whole toolchain (eg compilers) (2) Apple ships in insanely high volume so the cost of chip development is pretty low amortized over their volume (3) Performance-per-watt is really important in mobile, and they're doing it with an amazingly accomplished team in that area.

soapdog 14y ago
Apple had StrongArms running on its Newton Message Pad 2000 and 2100 and they rocked!!! :-) PS: I know it is a bit off topic but I really liked StrongArms back on the day.
donavanm 14y ago
I wish people would stop obsessing about PA. That acquisition was a fiasco. All the talent bailed after a tiny lock in period, went to a "startup", and were promptly "acquired" by the googs. The whole thing was a mess that should have ended with a vp or director "pursuing other opportunities". The Intrinsity talent buy was way better. Those guys actually put out product and have a functional team.
- cpg 14y ago
  Yup. Apple has been putting together a CPU team for a long long time now, including high-perf simulators, libraries, etc. etc. However, the point about this catching up to them and biting them is a real possibility. Now, they have a lot of discipline, it seems, and that is critical. The other part is having a very tightly closed platform with control of the entire toolchain.
- nilsbunger 14y ago
  I have over 100 people in my LinkedIn network who were ever at PA Semi, and 53% of them are still at Apple. Where's the evidence that "all the talent bailed" ? Some of the key architects and leaders moved on, but I think that's not unusual.

soapdog 14y ago

Apple had StrongArms running on its Newton Message Pad 2000 and 2100 and they rocked!!! :-) PS: I know it is a bit off topic but I really liked StrongArms back on the day.

donavanm 14y ago

I wish people would stop obsessing about PA. That acquisition was a fiasco. All the talent bailed after a tiny lock in period, went to a "startup", and were promptly "acquired" by the googs. The whole thing was a mess that should have ended with a vp or director "pursuing other opportunities". The Intrinsity talent buy was way better. Those guys actually put out product and have a functional team.

cpg 14y ago
Yup. Apple has been putting together a CPU team for a long long time now, including high-perf simulators, libraries, etc. etc. However, the point about this catching up to them and biting them is a real possibility. Now, they have a lot of discipline, it seems, and that is critical. The other part is having a very tightly closed platform with control of the entire toolchain.
nilsbunger 14y ago
I have over 100 people in my LinkedIn network who were ever at PA Semi, and 53% of them are still at Apple. Where's the evidence that "all the talent bailed" ? Some of the key architects and leaders moved on, but I think that's not unusual.