[sneak]

> Apple had 0 chip designers working for them not so long ago.

Apple's acquisition of PA Semi was over a dozen years ago.

I agree that the second best time to plant a tree is today, but I also think that nothing today is indicative of Apple's likelihood of success at operating a fab 5-10 years down the line from today.

They tried cars and (so far) seem to have failed. I have nothing to suggest that their odds at succeeding in chip manufacture would be anything other than 50/50.