TSMC manufactured the Apple silicon chip used in the first M1 Mac computers.
Apple designed the M1 system-on-a-chip, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company manufactured it. Apple introduced the M1 in 2020 as the first processor in its transition away from Intel processors in Mac computers.
TSMC is the world’s largest dedicated semiconductor foundry. Founded in Taiwan in 1987 by Morris Chang, it pioneered the business model of manufacturing chips designed by other companies rather than selling mainly its own branded processors.
This distinction explains a common confusion: Apple is the chip designer and product owner, but TSMC is the fabrication partner. TSMC also manufactures advanced processors for numerous other technology companies. Its market capitalization is tied to demand for leading-edge chips, fabrication capacity, and long-term customer relationships.