I sometimes wonder if it would make sense for Apple to include a few FPGA cores in their upcoming M(X) chips (if that is even possible). With those they could do even more specialized accelerated tasks.<p>On a wild imaginary train of thought; I'm not sure how well a FPGA can be integrated into an existing CPU but it could maybe be possible to define new instructions using them. That way Apple can make the chips forward-compatible with new instruction set extensions. Or if Apple finds a serious security problem with one of the existing instructions (in the unmodifiable silicon) they can make Rosetta transpile all untrusted programs to use a fixed FPGA'd replacement for those instructions.
It will be really exciting to see how Intel will respond to this in the coming months. In the consumer laptop space Dell, HP, and Lenovo seem to be committed to Intel.<p>As for the gaming/hobbyist market, AMD seems to be winning given that Intel doesn't seem to want to play. Comparing the marketing materials for Ryzen Threadripper and the i9 really highlights the difference in marketing approaches.
"Third Point encouraged Intel to consider separating its chip design and manufacturing divisions, and instead seek a joint venture in manufacturing. It was also urged to divest its failed acquisitions, such as the $16.7 billion purchase of programmable chip maker Altera in 2015."<p>It's this a sound decision? It seems like it would be intel abandoning smaller nodes and sticking to 14nm whilst they go to Samsung or TSMC to manufacture their chips.<p>It's losing their competitive advantage. Of course they've been struggling so far with 10nm.