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I don't believe it's a bad thing. Mostly it's a sign that there is a finite number of distinct microchip designs the global economy really needs. These microchi
by bayesianhorse 14y ago
I don't believe it's a bad thing. Mostly it's a sign that there is a finite number of distinct microchip designs the global economy really needs. These microchips improve all the time.
Now, once there really is a monopoly problem, it's still possible for smaller chip makers to emerge with less efficient or powerful chips, if the market is desperate for "fresh blood".
- moeadham 14y agoThis has very little to do with design. This is about fabrication. GF, TSMC are purely fabrication, and do little to no design work internally. The chance that any other company can emerge and compete with this group, at least with respect to silicon is zero. A new company would have to poach thousands of engineers, and raise billions. Most competitors have simply given up (TI, ST, etc). The only possibility of more competition in the space is if an upstart is able to emerge when the next generation materials/processes emerge. Maybe carbon. Otherwise, expect the number of fabs to go one direction: down.