Apple wants the fastest chip for its mobile devices and has bought another chip maker to gain an edge over its competitors.

Apple has acquired a small Austin, Tex., company called Intrinsity, known for making zippy versions of a computer chip often found in mobile devices. The deal, which closed late last month and was confirmed by Apple on Tuesday, shows the company continuing to try to gain an edge in the mobile device market by purchasing technology and chip experts.

It is the second time in two years that Apple has purchased a small chip company to gain critical technology for making a faster processor that uses less energy.

“This adds another arrow to their quiver,” said Tom R. Halfhill, a well-known chip analyst for Microprocessor Report. Mr. Halfhill said his industry contacts put Apple’s acquisition price for Intrinsity at $121 million. Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesman, declined to comment on that figure.