The developers of microprocessors and other chips that Apple got when it acquired PA Semi company about two years ago are leaving the company, according to a media report. While the fact hardly means anything for Apple, the company not known for development of chips, this may indicate the company’s failure to start design of chips for its own devices.

Dan Dobberpuhl, the PA Semi founder and chief executive officer, departed from Apple last Fall. According to a report from Cnet News.com web-site, which cites sources with knowledge of the matter, the engineer has joined Amarjit Gill, a former PA Semi principal, at start-up Agnilux. In addition, other key PA Semi team members have left Apple, including Mark Hayter, another key executive of PA Semi.

For years Apple has been using various chips designed by other companies for its broad range of devices. However, starting from 2008 the company has been developing its own chips and system-on-chip devices as well as started to higher chip specialists, including a number of high-ranking executives from ATI, graphics business unit from Advanced Micro Devices.

The reason why Apple is developing its own processors is to ensure that it has the best possible chips for its products. Besides, creating chips in-house also ensures that no rivals can find out any details about Apple’s products ahead of their release. As a result, the flee of chip designers from Apple may actually turn into a problem for the company.

“He was the CEO at PA Semi and leader of the team, and one of the guys that was driving the whole thing. But those guys are start-up kind of people, and within the structure of Apple, they may [have been] chafing,” said Linley Gwennap, president and principal analyst of The Linley Group.

Apple did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: Apple, PA Semi, PowerPC