Apple Buys a Chip Company for $278M

An anonymous reader writes "Apple's just bought a chip company, P.A. Semi that could make chips for iPhones and maybe iPods. Apple wouldn't reveal the exact plans, but Dan Dobberpuhl, lead designer of Alpha's chips, is known for making super efficient processors, like a 64-bit dual core last year that was supposedly about 300% more efficient than the nearest competition, using only 5 to 13 watts at 2GHz. Apple's quarterly results are later today, so we might hear more about the deal. This is something of a blow to ARM, especially with the mobile chip market heating up recently, with forays by Intel and Nvidia adding to competition from established players like VIA."

And thus it starts anew

[Anonymous Coward]

The Apple Product Cycle [misterbg.org]

Apple will ditch intel

[Pete Slash Work]

Discuss.

PPC R0X0RZ T3H K1L1MANJARO!

[Anonymous Coward]

G5 LAPTOP WOOOHOOO!!!!!!!

Re:Apple will ditch intel

[gEvil (beta)]

One bright little commenter on El Reg suggested that another reason for Apple buying this company could be for a console release, as Apple recently acquired a patent which could be for console gaming.

Sweet. I can't wait for the Pippin 2! There's no way it won't be a success this time....

If It Cuts the Price of an iPhone...

[FurtiveGlancer]

They can buy Enron for all I care.

Apple and chips does not mix

[loafula]

I've never been a big fan of Apple chips. I prefer sea salt and vinegar. Preferably kettle cooked.

Re:Apple and chips does not mix

[Sentry21]

I've always preferred Sun chips myself.