TSMC is in the final stages of testing its US processor factory. According to Nikkei Asia, Apple took over the test batch for initial tests.
These are to be used to compare the quality between American and Taiwanese chips. If no significant problems are found, the first production chips from the American factory TSMC will arrive this quarter. Apple would thus become the first customer with “Made in USA” chips.
For the United States, the operation of this factory is a big win and a relief, as the dependence on distant imports from Taiwan is partly lost. In addition to general independence, Taiwan is also a strategic territory that is threatened by China with claims not only to the sea, but also to the island itself.
Interestingly, the chips will still be sent from the US to Taiwan for the time being. Here, it is still necessary to complete the packaging of the processors, i.e. the complete construction of the entire unit including additional chips or memories, but another factory is being built in the USA for this process as well. So far, TSMC has “imported” approximately half of its employees from Taiwan, but the company is already cooperating with American universities to obtain additional workforce, and will also support academic fields.
Source: pctuning.cz
