That's a little outdated TSMC process info... 5nm at TSMC has been in High Volume Production for most of 2020. The processors for the latest iPhones & iPads, and the M1 are all built on the N5 process. N4 is expected to be in production Q4 of this year, and N3 is expected to be in production in 2H 2022. What they're working on "already" is N2...
If Intel do not get their posterior in gear and keep up with technology, it may be Intel asking Apple to produce Intel chips as it would never surprise me for Apple to buy out TSMC.
Apple in November started releasing Macs with Apple-designed M1 chips, and the Apple silicon technology will eventually replace all the Intel chips that Apple has used in its Mac lineup for years.
Intel appears to be having a difficult time with Apple's transition. Last week, the company launched an anti-M1 Mac ad campaign starring Justin Long, and now, Intel is pinning its hopes on manufacturing Apple silicon chips for Apple in the future.
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger today shared some details on Intel's future plans, which includes the founding of a separate "Intel Foundry Services" business and two new chip factories that are being built in Arizona. Going forward, Intel wants to become a major provider of foundry capacity in the United States and Europe, manufacturing chips for other companies.
When discussing Intel's new plans, Gelsinger said that Intel plans to pursue Apple as a potential customer, which would see Intel producing Apple silicon chips for use in Apple devices if Apple does indeed decide to use Intel's services.
Right now, Apple relies on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to produce all of the A-series and Apple silicon chips used in the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other devices. TSMC is Apple's sole supplier, so there's a chance that Apple and Intel could reach a deal that would allow Apple to diversify its supply chain.If Intel wants to court Apple for future chip orders, the anti-Apple ads the company is running now may be unwise. Intel hired former "I'm a Mac" actor Justin Long to create a series of ads that compare the M1 Macs with Intel PCs in a way that positions Intel PCs as superior machines.
Intel's ads promote the flexibility of PC laptops and claim that no one uses Macs for gaming. The ads also make fun of the limited ports on Apple's Macs and call them out for a lack of touchscreens. Intel has been highlighting its anti-M1 content on Twitter and has even made a heavily biased website that pits PCs against M1 Macs.
Article Link: After Anti-M1 Ads, Intel Wants to Make Future Apple Silicon Chips
Or better still if Apple buy TSMC, design and manufacture Apple's own chips, take designs and manufacture for others, and have Intel knocking at the door for Apple to manufacture their chips.
After the EU's action on what is really blocking a company's exports of vaccines, can Apple trust having its design or any production in the EU. Next time it might be the EU doing what they are doing to vaccines, telling Apple who they can sell to, and what amounts, but with EU having Veto on Apple customers.
No they won't be competitive. Do you think TSMC and Samsung are going to sit around thinking, "Oh let's give Intel a chance to catch up". Even the 7nm Intel has talked about for years is not put back to 2022-2023
Agree with chip production back in the USA and I'm a Brit. What you really don't need is to consider any part of the EU for any part of Apple design/production of chips. After threat from the EU to block vaccines, they now word it to block vaccines but say its not blocking vaccines. This means Astra Zeneca is no longer in charge of its own company, or has any say in its customers, or amounts it can sell to customers.
That's why Apple should be its own chip designer and chip producer, and can take designs from other companies to produce their chips, leaving Intel to buy off Apple.
Here's Intel's problem: On one hand, Apple has stayed with Intel for a very, very long time, even when AMD had very arguably better products. You stay loyal to a supplier as long as they deliver. And on the other hand, TSMC has served Apple very, very well for many years. Apple isn't going to separate from TSMC just because Intel has a new, unproven fab. Intel would have to have _significant_ advantages over TSMC, and would have to convince Apple that this is permanent, not temporary.
They seem to more flexible and committed this time around but we’ll see!Yeah. Hard to believe it's been over 20 years since I built my first non-Intel rig using an Athlon Thunderbird.
