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by cwaffles 1599 days ago
M1 was built by the PA Semi team, acquired in 2008 [0]. They build the A series chips in the iPhone, I would argue that M1 would not exist without them, furthermore, M1 was not a Cook endeavor. For the watch, it looks like the first key hire was in 2013, but there is a chance that it was not all Steve's work [1]

0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.A._Semi 1. https://www.wired.com/2015/04/the-apple-watch/

2 comments

If you’re going to do that in good faith remember then that this applies to any acquisition. How much of Nedella’s credit now gets to go to his predecessor? Or how about Google buying YouTube or Facebook buying WhatsApp.

Also to note an idea is great but you need execution. While PA Semi may be responsible for the existence of the M1, Apple and subsequently Tim Cook are responsible for getting it in people’s hands for a grand or so.

It has not been the only semi acquisition, though I agree the most significant.