Apple's Historically 'Bumpy Relationship' With Nvidia Detailed in Report

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. However, one tech giant that is not a major Nvidia customer is Apple, and a new report attempts to explain why this might be.

Apple vs Nvidia
The Information's Wayne Ma today outlined Apple's historically "bumpy relationship" with Nvidia, but much of the bad blood dates to the 2000s and early 2010s, when Steve Jobs was still CEO and Macs used Nvidia graphics. It is unclear how much these past issues matter today, if at all, and the report acknowledges that Apple's current relationship with Nvidia "isn't entirely acrimonious." Two examples of the companies getting along include Apple's recent collaboration with Nvidia on machine learning research, and Nvidia showcasing the Apple Vision Pro when it announced a new software framework earlier this year.

Apple has mostly rented access to Nvidia GPUs through the cloud from companies like Amazon and Microsoft, and it is reportedly developing its own AI server chip as a longer-term solution, but neither of those things prove that Apple still has an "allergy" to Nvidia as the report states. As has been the case for more than a decade, and even more so in recent years, Apple simply wants to develop as many in-house chips and technologies as possible for many reasons, including lower production costs, improved integration between hardware and software, and reduced reliance on external suppliers. So, this seems less about Apple avoiding Nvidia in particular, and more about Apple owning the whole widget in general.

This trend has been playing out for many years now. In addition to Apple long designing its own iPhone chips, the company started releasing its own Mac chips in 2020, in a transition away from Intel. Apple's long-rumored 5G modem is expected to begin rolling out in iPhones next year, in a move away from its current supplier Qualcomm. Apple is also reportedly developing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, a move that will impact Broadcom.

So while Steve Jobs may have once pretended an Nvidia executive was no longer in the room during a meeting, as the report states, it seems most likely that Apple simply has no need to directly purchase GPUs from Nvidia. Apple is clearly fine with renting access to the GPUs from cloud providers until its in-house chip is ready.

The report is nevertheless an interesting read, and it reinforces how Jobs was very good at holding a grudge when he was unhappy with a situation.

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Top Rated Comments

ScooterComputer Avatar
13 hours ago at 07:40 am
Then, Apple, sign the fscking NVIDIA web drivers and allow MILLIONS of older Macs to be spared the 'recycling' heap using OCLP! Show your users, not just say the words.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Madhatter32 Avatar
12 hours ago at 08:06 am
Nvidia screwed Apple in the 2000's by selling them defective chips and then not offering any warranty relief to Apple or its customers. It was ridiculous and Apple never forgave them.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DHagan4755 Avatar
13 hours ago at 07:40 am
It's clear though that Apple was pissed when they were developing Metal & NVIDIA wouldn't acquiesce to allowing Apple access to the hardware. That issue and the whole situation surrounding their failing graphics in MacBook Pros soured things too. Maybe time has healed old wounds but Apple tends to be a company that has the memory of an elephant & doesn't let go easily.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DoubleU Avatar
13 hours ago at 07:59 am

No, I'm not entering my email address to read this article.
Just enter the email address of someone you don’t like ;)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nt5672 Avatar
13 hours ago at 07:49 am
Jobs was good enough to be allowed some flaws/prerogatives in his handling of Nvidia, Apple today is not.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
12 hours ago at 08:09 am

No, I'm not entering my email address to read this article.
https://10minutemail.com
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)