Apple began releasing Apple Silicon-powered Macs began shipping last November, and ever since, Intel has acted like a passive-aggressive spurned lover. Now, as the chipmaker is in the middle of a new anti-Apple Silicon ad campaign, it is apparently working to once again make processors for Apple.
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger today shared some details on Intel’s future plans, which include the founding of a separate “Intel Foundry Services” business and two new chip factories that are being built in Arizona.
During the company’s global “Intel Unleashed: Engineering the Future” webcast, Gelsinger shared his vision for “IDM 2.0,” a major evolution of Intel’s integrated device manufacturing (IDM) model. Gelsinger announced significant manufacturing expansion plans, starting with an estimated $20 billion investment to build two new factories (or “fabs”) in Arizona. He also announced Intel’s plans to become a major provider of foundry capacity in the U.S. and Europe to serve customers globally.
Gelsinger said that Intel has plans to pursue Apple as a potential chipmaking customer, which would see Intel producing Apple silicon chips if Apple decides to use Intel’s services.
All Apple Silicon chips, which currently power M1-versions of the Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro are fabricated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which also produces all of the A-series chips used in the iPhone, iPad, and other devices.