People underestimate relationship between Cie's
Apple is a valued client for Intel. They bring their own processor expertise as stated many times by Intel's CEO and designers. Apple's Intel-based CPU sales continue to rise rapidly (Macs) and Apple also has tons of units being sold as AppleTV's, iPods, iPads, iPhones on CPUs which could be Intel CPUs. Why would Intel wish to let that slip away. They can now forge a new relationship with ARM chips and Flash memory which would only encourage other Manufacturers to follow... why? Because everyone is stuck using chips from firms which often compete with them. Do you think Dell and HP would prefer doing business with Asian manufacturers when then can claim their new Phones and Tablets use "made in the USA" parts? This could become something very big for Intel by promoting the fact that they can supply key components while remaining neutral in terms of competition to it's clients.
Now if Intel could start making LED screens....
Biting the hand that feeds IT
