A laptop factory in Taiwan encounters a critical issue with touchpads from Logitech, threatening the product launch and costing millions.

• A laptop factory in Taiwan discovers that the touchpads from Logitech are not working.
• This problem could jeopardize the launch and result in significant financial losses for the company.
• Logitech scrambles to correct the faulty components, unaware of an underlying plan by a competitor.

The 1980s saw a revolution in personal computing, with the introduction of graphical interfaces by Apple and Microsoft.

• The introduction of the Macintosh by Apple popularized the graphical interface.
• Microsoft released Windows for the IBM PC ecosystem, marking a new era of computing.
• The industry was moving towards the dream of portable computers.

After a sabbatical, Federico Faggin feels motivated to re-enter the tech industry, leading to his involvement with Logitech and Synaptics.

• Federico Faggin, after a period of burnout, returns from vacation with a desire to re-enter the tech fight.
• Faggin's past contributions to the industry included leading teams that developed groundbreaking microprocessors.
• He joins the board of Logitech and later co-founds Synaptics.

As the need for portable computer input devices grows, Synaptics develops the touchpad technology, offering a superior alternative to trackballs.

• The growing demand for portable computers leads to the development of the trackball, but it was bulky and required maintenance.
• Faggin's company, Synaptics, develops the touchpad, a flat device that emulates a mouse with a finger.
• Synaptics' touchpad technology is presented to Logitech, resulting in a partnership.

Synaptics offers its touchpad technology to Logitech, but after disagreements, Faggin leaves Logitech's board and Synaptics becomes a competitor.

• Synaptics invents the touchpad and proposes a deal with Logitech.
• Negotiations fail as Logitech attempts to renegotiate for a less attractive deal.
• Faggin decides to leave Logitech's board and focus on Synaptics' own touchpad technology.

Apple releases the PowerBook with a touchpad, sparking a rush for cheaper alternatives among Windows laptop makers, intensifying the competition.

• Apple's PowerBook 500 series becomes the first laptop with a touchpad, surprising Synaptics.
• Synaptics discovers that the touchpad in the PowerBook was developed by a company called Cirque.
• This triggers a demand for more affordable touchpads in the Windows laptop market.

Logitech's eagerness to produce a cheap touchpad leads to a critical error that Synaptics capitalizes on.

• Logitech develops a single-chip touchpad solution that cannot be updated after manufacturing.
• Synaptics, on the other hand, uses OTP memory, allowing for post-production firmware updates.
• The inability to update firmware becomes a significant disadvantage for Logitech.

A firmware bug in Logitech's touchpads opens a window of opportunity for Synaptics to dominate the market.

• A Taiwanese computer manufacturer discovers a bug in Logitech's touchpad firmware, causing production delays.
• Synaptics offers a rapid solution with their OTP memory technology, gaining favor with OEMs.
• OEMs quickly switch to Synaptics to avoid potential losses from firmware issues.

Synaptics' cost-effective and reliable technology wins over the market, leading to an 80% market share.

• Synaptics' ability to produce its own chips and microcontrollers with OTP memory gives it a competitive edge.
• The company's cost-efficient technology and the team's proficiency allow it to thrive against Logitech.
• Synaptics eventually captures an 80% share of the global touchpad market.

Federico Faggin's leadership leaves a lasting impact on Synaptics and the tech industry as a whole.

• Faggin's role in the development of the touchpad secures his place as a key figure in the tech industry.
• He serves as CEO and then chairman of Synaptics until his retirement in 2007.
• Synaptics' other ventures, including touch screen technology, continue to influence modern devices.