Microsoft is working on in-house processors for the servers running its cloud computing services and Surface line of PCs, potentially cutting its reliance on Intel, a person familiar with the matter said.

The chips would use technology from ARM, the person said, which is in the midst of being acquired by Nvidia for US$40-billion.

Microsoft relies heavily on Intel and AMD to supply the chips for its Azure cloud computing services as well as its Surface PCs.

But the company had already been working with Ampere Computing and Marvell Technology Group on ARM-based server chips, and with Qualcomm for an ARM-based processor in its Surface Pro X device.

Now Microsoft has joined firms like Apple in designing its own custom ARM-based chip. Apple last month released Mac computers based on its house-designed M1 chip.

The person familiar with the matter said Microsoft is working with computing cores licensed from ARM rather that designing its own custom cores as Apple does. ARM declined to comment.

Key focus

Microsoft spokesman Frank Shaw said the Redmond, Washington-based tech giant views semiconductors as a key focus area.

“Because silicon is a foundational building block for technology, we’re continuing to invest in our own capabilities in areas like design, manufacturing and tools,” he said in a statement. — Reported by Eva Mathews and Stephen Nellis, (c) 2020 Reuters