14 Facts About Synertek

Synertek, Inc was an American semiconductor manufacturer founded in 1973.

Synertek became a major vendor during the late 1970s and early 1980s on the strength of their licensed production of the MOS 6502, one of the most successful microprocessors of the era.

Synertek won supply deals with Apple Computer and Atari, who would produce millions of home computer and games consoles with Synertek 6502's inside.

Synertek had noticed while working at General Electric's computer division that the software was always late and overbudget and felt the same problem would kill their small company.

Synertek offered to cross-license Synertek's product line in exchange for the 6502.

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That would provide MOS with a second source agreement, something the market demanded at that time, while giving them access to Synertek's existing line of designs that could be used as support chips for the 6502.

Synertek agreed to the terms on the condition that if they were even one day late with a payment they would be on a cash on delivery basis from that day forward.

Synertek was met by Al Alcorn, who said they already knew of the design.

Synertek then arranged Rockwell International to take up some of Atari's order, and Rockwell would become a major supplier of the 6502 as well.

In 1982, Synertek became the second source for Digital Equipment Corporation's DCT11 microprocessor.

Synertek acquired Microcomputer Associates, Incorporated, consisting of engineers Manny Lemas and Ray Holt, after which it was renamed Synertek Systems, Inc and established as a subsidiary.

Synertek approached the board of directors looking to raise about $250 million for a first-class fab, but was turned down.

Synertek then began looking for partners who might fund the expansion.

That division worried that if Synertek bought from another company it would make people question their products.