Nvidia has become one of the world’s most valuable companies thanks to strong demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) server chips from big tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. But one tech giant that isn’t Nvidia’s main customer is Apple, and a new report attempts to explain why.
The Information’s Wayne Ma today outlined the historically “rocky relationship” between Apple and Nvidia, much of which stemmed from when Steve Jobs was still CEO and Macs used Nvidia graphics. Dating back to the 2000s and early 2010s. It’s unclear how important, if any, these past issues are today, and the report acknowledges that Apple and Nvidia’s current relationship is “not entirely acrimonious.” Examples of the two companies getting along well include Apple’s recent collaboration with Nvidia on machine learning research and Nvidia’s display of Apple Vision Pro when it announced a new software framework earlier this year.
Apple primarily rents access to Nvidia GPUs via the cloud from companies like Amazon and Microsoft, and is reportedly developing its own AI server chips as a long-term solution, but neither proves that Apple is still “allergic” to Nvidia GPUs. As the report states, NVIDIA. As has been the case for more than a decade, and even more so in recent years, Apple simply wants to develop as many of its own chips and technologies as possible for a variety of reasons, including reducing manufacturing costs and improving hardware and software integration. I’m thinking. Reduce dependence on external suppliers. So this seems to be less about Apple specifically avoiding Nvidia and more about Apple owning the widgets in general.
This trend has been going on for years. In addition to long designing its own iPhone chips, Apple began releasing its own Mac chips in 2020, a move away from Intel. Apple’s long-rumored 5G modem is expected to start appearing in iPhones next year, away from current supplier Qualcomm. Apple is also reportedly developing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, which could impact Broadcom.
So, as the report notes, while Steve Jobs may have pretended during a meeting that Nvidia executives were no longer present, there’s just no need for Apple to buy GPUs directly from Nvidia. seems most likely. Apple clearly has no problem renting access to GPUs from cloud providers until its own chips are ready.
Still, the report is an interesting read and confirms how good Jobs was at holding grudges when he was dissatisfied with a situation.
