> That's not much of a value gain it would just push the industry further away from ARM.
I think that's the big irony here. It's taken ARM decades to break out of embedded/mobile and get to the point where they're seriously considered for workstation or server use. If Nvidia were to acquire ARM it would likely antagonize everyone to the point where they'd rush back to x86 and Nvidia would gain nothing.
Apple is still a very small part of the market when it comes to laptops and desktops. Their ARM-based computers will be a tiny drop in the bucket when stacked against mobile ARM chipsets. Sure, I expect PC vendors to jump on the ARM train as well, but if the sale to Nvidia happens, that could stop before it gets into full swing, or not happen at all. I'm sure PC makers who are thinking about ARM are watching this deal very carefully, and are avoiding jumping too soon.
I think that's the big irony here. It's taken ARM decades to break out of embedded/mobile and get to the point where they're seriously considered for workstation or server use. If Nvidia were to acquire ARM it would likely antagonize everyone to the point where they'd rush back to x86 and Nvidia would gain nothing.