ARM vs Intel

(November 11, 2011. Bloomberg):

Intel (INTC) focused its efforts on what’s called the “clock speed” of CPUs, rapidly increasing the performance of computer chips to handle desktop operating systems and processor-intensive applications better. Less thought was given to reducing the power consumption requirements of these chips.

...ARM chips have used a “bottom up” [low-power] approach. Early ARM chips weren’t capable of running complex software but could run for days between charges. Once the power requirements of the silicon were effectively managed, ARM chips began to ramp up performance, most recently with quad-core chips that can offer 16 hours of high-definition playback on a tablet.

The companies' IP models are also very different. Intel develops and makes its chips, maintaining a quasi monopoly in the high-performance PC and server markets. ARM designs chips and licenses its architecture to third party manufacturers.

ARM's IP model is better suited for early stages of the product innovation process, when companies adopt trial-and-error market strategies (Synthesis?).

An IP strategy map would probably be a good idea to reflect the contrast, but I don't quite know what its dimensions should be.

tags: technology, battle, information, s-curve, product, process, mobile