[TopDog2]

That is some twisted thinking. I could (almost) see outsourcing, for example, HR functions, but for a chip maker to outsource either chip production or chip engineering would seem to be suicidal!

[oceanview]

its an elitist attitude. that's who runs large US tech companies, the elites, people like Carly Fiorina. They think that only what they do adds value, while other functions are "commodities". The inner circle at large US companies is comprised of the executive suite (plus support staffs, finance, etc), legal and intellectual property, sales & marketing (because you can't have Punjab or Ajit making a sales call to push your product). so those positions comprise the protected inner circle, while everything else is potentially on the block to be offshored. Not all at once mind you, but slowly, wave after wave.

[Cronos]

for a chip maker to outsource either chip production or chip engineering would seem to be suicidal!

AMD is NOT outsourcing anything. It is setting up another design shop in a different location, not contracting that work to another company.