Quanta first gained notice in the '80s for cleverly cramming new components into notebooks. Then, in 2001, Apple contracted with the company to design its G4 notebook from top to bottom.
Quanta still builds for Apple, too... If you go and look at Barry Lam's bio, the founder and chairman of Quanta, you'll find the following REFERENCED statement:
Quanta designs and manufactures for clients such as Apple Inc.
Notice: designs AND manufactures. Do you think Quanta provides industrial design or user interface design for Apple? Or perhaps it provides electrical/PCB design and power supply design? Huh - what was claimed - someone else designs Apple's motherboards. Here are a couple references that seem to back that assertion up.
What makes you think that Quanta doesn't do a significant part of the design work for Apple? They were doing it all in 2001 - ODM, Original Design Manufacturer (design and build to spec). What makes you think it's changed much since then? Especially since Quanta lists Apple as an ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) client - meaning design AND build?
What source do you have that Apple designs their own motherboards in-house, at Apple? Or their own power supplies in-house, at Apple? What source do you have that says Apple doesn't use a tweaked version of Intel's reference motherboard?
You make the claim, here's some references that run counter to your claim. So can you refute them with anything solid, other than your personal beliefs?
I remember when Quanta sold computers and laptops here in America. HQ in New Jersey if I remember right. They obviously decided being a CM was a better idea
Quanta is Steve Jobs big Mac Daddy. His Intel savior and why Apple moved to Intel and ditched IBM/Motorola chips. Quanta is the brains behind the operation. The Wiki entries on Quanta and its owner Barry Lam are revealing as far as Apple goes. My guess is Quanta is serious partners with FoxConn. Quanta does the brain work for Apple, then FoxxConn does manufacturing and assembly. The Cupertino gang does the hype, the marketing and distribution. They go to the beach while the Chinese and Taiwanese do all the heavy lifting.