Doug S (foo.delete@this.bar.bar) on November 2, 2020 1:51 pm wrote:
> Mr. Camel (no.delete@this.thanks.com) on November 2, 2020 1:14 pm wrote:
> > With Apple helping to fund TSMC process dev, it seems like TSMC
> > is likely to maintain its process lead for many years to come.
> >
> > Intel may have had a chance to win Apple's business but blew it. They probably
> > feel pretty stupid now that they won't have access to Apple's coffers.
>
>
> Perhaps, but Intel would still have had to execute. No one has ever suggested lack of
> investment was the reason for Intel's failure with 10nm. Once they got stuck Apple would
> have been looking for alternatives - designing an SoC for both Intel fabs and TSMC fabs
> would be a cheap hedge for them (and something they already did with the A9)
>
> In hindsight had Intel taken on Apple's SoC business it might have hurt them more than it helped. They were
> already capacity constrained due to making Apple's modems, it would have been worse if they were also making
> all their SoCs. Apple SoCs with their limited margins (due to having to compete with TSMC/Samsung foundry pricing
> to win Apple's business) would have displaced Intel CPUs most of which have a higher selling price.
>
> The only win for Intel would have been keeping Apple's cash away from TSMC and possibly slowing
> their progress somewhat so Intel would not be falling quite as far behind in the next few years.

Alternative realities are hard to understand :)

My guess is that if Intel had done the iPhone originally and was fabbing for Apple, they would have been forced to acknowledge the problems even earlier and made some less risky choices. Apple isn't shy about giving suppliers feedback that they need to improve!

David