Not that crazy. Back then they were a luxury item and competition could easily spring up if they lost control of the market. Now they’re a necessity, competition is scarce, and they have deals with most major manufacturers to keep them in businesses even with faulty products. It’s standard late-capitalism consolidation at work.
It seems crazy that intel were forced into a full recall by the backlash over the FDIV bug in the 90’s, but now they get away with far worse.
Not that crazy. Back then they were a luxury item and competition could easily spring up if they lost control of the market. Now they’re a necessity, competition is scarce, and they have deals with most major manufacturers to keep them in businesses even with faulty products. It’s standard late-capitalism consolidation at work.