The Cupertino tech titan Apple is anticipated to release a wide range of new product offering this year. Speculations have it that it might roll out the new flagship smartphone series in Sept. along with the iPad Pro 5G. A new report claims that Apple might run short of MacBook supply after Mar. so, those planning to purchase the premium notebook might want to secure a unit as early as now.
Apple MacBook Supply
Quanta, the company responsible for assembling Apple's MacBook, is increasing its production in Taiwan, says Taiwan-based publication Digitimes in a recent report. The firm is reportedly utilizing its Taiwan facility to manufacture products for different US companies. With the threat of COVID-19 in China, moving back to its home base might not help Quanta ramp up its production.
Digitimes also notes that shipments of the notebook, including Apple MacBook, are anticipated to plummet around 29 to 36 percent in the first quarter of this year, which is much steeper than earlier anticipated. Tech facilities like Quanta surely have contingency plans in place in this kind of situation. However, the other problem that these companies would have to face is the components and parts from China, which are essential to complete the assembly and production of products.
COVID-19's Lingering Threat
The Taiwan-based publication also claims that inventories of various components from China are anticipated to run out by the end of this month. In other words, if production, manufacturing, and assembly facilities could not source out components from other sources aside from China, production would ultimately stop, and that includes all products, including Apple MacBook. The report sites the threat of COVID-19, including employees afraid to report to work because of the fear of contracting the virus.
Although some facilities in China have returned to their assembly operations, the risk of supply chain disruption is still imminent, according to the report. Industry sources familiar with the situation in the country told the site that supporting suppliers are still waiting for approval from the local Chinese government to reopen plants. Quanta is not the only headache Apple is currently dealing with right now.
Foxconn, the Cupertino giant's major iPhone assembler, is also experiencing significant issues with its production levels. Although it resumed to its 'normal' operations last week, its employee turnout in one of its major plants was only 10 percent. This aligns with the report of the Taiwan-based site about the threat of COVID-19 and the stigma it has planted in the minds of the people in China, and all over the world.
