DailyTech - Intel Backs ASML for Next-Generation Chipmaking Technology

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Hardware Intel Backs ASML for Next-Generation Chipmaking Technology
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - July 10, 2012 9:24 AM

14 comment(s) - last by JKflipflop98.. on Jul 11 at 2:57 PM

Intel takes a 15% stake in ASML

ASML isn't a household name, but there's a high likelihood that you're using devices with processors made on its chipmaking devices. ASML makes the equipment that companies such as Intel, Samsung Electronics, and TSMC use to construct the processors and other chips inside gadgets of all sorts. Reuters reports that ASML approached its three biggest customers, including Intel, and asked them to help fund R&D in exchange for shares in the company.

ASML offered Intel, TSMC, and Samsung Electronics up to 25% of the shares for bankrolling the research and development of next-generation technology. Intel has already agreed to bankroll some of the research and development for ASML and the development could lead to significantly cheaper processors and other chips that consume less power.

"We're talking about $50 tablets," said Richard Windsor, Nomura's global technology specialist. "This brings into the realms of possibility a technology that we thought wasn't feasible and opens up the possibility for greater cost reductions."

Intel announced this week that it would spend $4 billion on up to 15% of ASML shares and would further fund research. TSMC is also said to be considering a similar deal. If ASML only wants to give up 25% of its outstanding shares, that only leaves 10% for TSMC and could mean Samsung Electronics ends up with nothing.

The investment was a no-brainer for Intel because the company is looking to speed the adoption of next generation chip manufacturing processes by as much as two years. Speeding the adoption of the technology would mean higher performing chips and longer battery life for notebooks, smartphones, and tablets.

Reuters reports that ASML is looking to mitigate the risk of developing new 450 mm wafer equipment and extreme ultraviolet or EUV lithography equipment development as much as possible.

"The transition from one wafer size to the next has historically delivered a 30 to 40 percent reduction in die cost," Intel Chief Operating Officer Brian Krzanich said in a statement. "The faster we do this, the sooner we can gain the benefit of productivity improvements."

Sources: Reuters, Intel

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RE: An asinine statement if there ever were one

By StevoLincolnite on 7/10/2012 4:13:10 PM , Rating: 2

You could probably hit the $50 mark if you followed the same business model that Microsoft and Sony set out with the consoles and what Amazon did with the Kindle...

In other words sell the device at a loss, make up for it with sales from Music, Video, Apps, eBooks and games.

However, that would probably only work if you pushed the hardware, OS and the services much like Apple and Amazon so you can take your cut.

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RE: An asinine statement if there ever were one

By Fritzr on 7/10/2012 6:23:27 PM , Rating: 2

Not available outside of India yet (Philadelphia PA, USA is looking at buying them for local schools), but there are tablets being manufactured and sold at a profit for US$60 to US$70. The CPU is a small part of the BOM, but any reduction in price for a component reduces the minimum sell price.

Also there is no reason that the ASML process can't be used for the other semiconducter parts in the machine. Even Intel produces chips that are not CPUs.

Then there is the Funtab available for R4000 (about $75) and the Fonetab for R7000 (about $117) 7" Android 2.2 tablets. The Fonetab accepts a standard SIM and is a 7" phone (GSM 1900/1800) These are available overseas :)

Costs are dropping fast. Lower prices on mainstream CPUS won't hurt a bit :P

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