DISQUS

VentureBeat: Look for PA Semi’s chip designs in upcoming Apple tablet

  • geoparadigm · 5 months ago
    Apple, please make sure to include a good gps/location finding ability into this offering, as it has great potential for field data collection. This could be the ultimate classroom computer for a freshman in college. Huge audience.
  • JeeBee · 5 months ago
    For Apple to design a chip just for this tablet device (and presumably future Apple TVs), they must be anticipating selling tens of millions of this devices and derivatives. It costs a huge amount to do a new chip design.

    That, or it is going to be a shrunk-down implementation of PA Semi's PowerPC processors that were already shipping when Apple took over.
  • dave viets · 5 months ago
    @Dean........well, duh, nothing you said is new. Who wouldn't "guess" that Apple is using the P.A.Semi team to design new chips for an upcoming 'secret' tablet device. I mean really! Instead, you might be trolling for hits, right!? BTW, with regard to your quote: "Apple acquired PA Semi in April, 2008 for $278 million. It never said what it planned to do with the chip design firm", oh really?...here is a widely known quote from Steve Jobs himself: "PA Semi is going to do system-on-chips for iPhones and iPods’ - June 11, 2008." Of course, you realize he couldn't say anything about a tablet device...because it was and is , still a 'SECRET'.
    Anyway, nice try for a news troll.
  • erasmusbdraggin · 5 months ago
    wow.
  • Gui · 5 months ago
    Designing and manufacturing a chip is no piece of cake, especially if it's a state-of-the-art design (which it is likely to be, since we're talking Apple here). To justify the costs involved, Apple must either be shipping a few dozen million units a year (which is unlikely, considering that they don't even sell that many "normal" computers), adopt it across the line (like using it in future iPhones and iPods, with restricted performance and maybe a few niceties disabled) or just selling it to external clients.
  • derek61_gmail · 4 months ago
    IIRC the PA Semi guys developed the Alpha, I think that they are up to the challenge. (actually in the article, never mind, they are definitely up to the challenge)
  • Mike Reilly · 4 weeks ago
    To APPLE:
    1) I'm wating for a new, lighter, Fujitsu p16xx, with Windows 7, but I'd prefer an Apple, and add Win 7 via Parrallels, or similar. It has to have enough power for Win 7, and about 120 Gb or better HD.
    2) It must be pen capable, so I can take notes. This is critical.
    3) It must be able to port out to a larger monitor, or port through another computer to a large monitor.
    4) A big plus would be a camera, so I can take site inspection photos. (not essential)
    5) A big plus would be a wireless (or direct) keyboard. (not essential) Abiltiy to attach/detach solidly, ie. HP 1100 would be good.
    Mike Reilly, Architect