Pile on, my 2c on this,9 options listed:
- AAPL: Pro - Deep pockets... vertical integration???, Con'd be overlap in chip design but not in mfg, antitrust???
- TSMC: pro: fit with Intel's fabs and mfg scale but cons are oolitical, reg, and supply chain, etc...
- Samsung:Pro:Already in both fabs and chips, global...Con: politics
- Amazon: Pro - Big value for AWS/ custom silicon, Con: Cultural mismatch, no experience in chips
- MSFT: Pro - Long-term chip strategy for Azure and AI workloads, Con is Major antitrust scrutiny, not sure if they want to manufacture
- NVIDIA: Pro: Access to fabs and x86 IP, Con:- Regulatory, monopoly, trust
- AVGO/Broadcom: Pro Aggressive M&A history, would be good 4 enteprise, Con: Love cost-cutting, could gut R&D
- QCOM: Pro - bigger processor portfolio, foundry diversification, Con: broke and no money for this deal
- PE Consortium: pro - Financial engineering and focus on unlockin value -- Con: Short term ROI focus cannot digest R&D
- US gov-backed something: Pro - this jives with CHIPS Act goals and national security interests, Con - bureaucrats, they dont do it 0% experience