Transmeta founder Ditzel to join Intel

As they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Dave Ditzel, co-founder of chip company Transmeta, is joining Intel's Digital Enterprise Group to work with Steve Pawlowski, one of Intel's top architects. An Intel representative confirmed a report put out over the weekend by The Register that Ditzel would be joining forces with his one-time enemy.



Transmeta was way ahead of its time in pursuing a low-power microprocessor strategy, attempting to break into the notebook PC and blade server markets with its Crusoe chip. The trouble was, Crusoe's low-power design came at the expense of performance, and manufacturing issues--combined with Intel's swift embrace of low-power tactics--killed Transmeta's chances of ever making a dent into Intel or AMD's market share.

The company survives these days on its patent portfolio, licensing some of its low-power techniques and designs and filing lawsuits. Transmeta recently settled claims against Intel for $250 million.

Ditzel left Transmeta about a year ago. Intel declined to elaborate on exactly what he would be working on with its DEG group, but here's a bit of wild speculation to kick off a Monday morning: a server-grade version of the Atom processor?