The new Apple A4 system-on-a-chip powering the company’s iPad tablet is based on ARM technology, according to a new report. Citing Warren East, CEO of ARM, Bright Side of News reports that ARM has licensed its CPU and GPU technology to Apple. Based on this information, BSN suggests that the A4 includes both a ARM Cortex-A9 multi-core CPU, as well as an ARM Mali GPU, and other functions designed into the chip by Apple. The article also suggests that Apple’s acquisition of PA Semi played heavily in the design of the chip, as PA Semi founder Dan Dobberpuhl was a lead designer of Alpha and StrongARM processors at his former employer Digital Equipment Corporation. Apple itself has not offered any specifics on the A4 chip outside of specifying its 1GHz clockspeed and describing it as “the most advanced chip” the company has done up to this point.
Charles Starrett was a senior editor at iLounge. He's been covering the iPod, iPhone, and iPad since their inception. He has written numerous articles and reviews, and his work has been featured in multiple publications.