Apple buys chipmaker
April 23rd 2008
Forbesreports that Apple has agreed to buy a boutique microprocessor designer PA Semi. The company is known for its design of sophisticated, low-power chips could be a future source of iPod and iPhone chips.
"Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not comment on our purposes and plans," said Apple spokesman Steve Dowling. He declined to comment on the value of the deal, which a person familiar with the deal suggested was done for $278 million in cash.
In February 2007, PA Semi debuted a 64-bit dual core microprocessor that the company asserts is 300% more efficient than any comparable chips, consuming only 5 to 13 watts running at 2 gigahertz. It may take at up to a year before Apple products incorporating PA Semi designs are ready.
PA Semi was founded in 2003 by Dan Dobberpuhl and now has about 150 people, who was a lead designer for the well-regarded Alpha and StrongARM microprocessors developed by Digital Equipment in the 1990s.
Editor's note: When was the last time Apple bought a chipmaker? PA Semi must be something quite special for the mothership to buy the company...
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