MacBook production heavily hit by coronavirus, according to report
MacBook manufacturer Quanta is said to be shifting assembly work to Taiwan as reports claim industry-wide laptop production will be severely hit as a result of the deadly coronavirus outbreak plaguing Chinese production.
According to a new report by Digitimes, via 9to5Mac, notebook shipments are expected to fall 29-36 percent in Q1 2020, much steeper than previously thought.
Whilst Quanta, amongst other laptop manufactures, have contingency plans in place, factories are heavily relying on Chinese parts and components to finish production and assembly and as health officials continue to demand suppliers remain closed, Digitimes reports inventories of many components are expected to run out by end-February, ultimately halting production.
“Notebook ODMs have resumed their production in China, but face the possibility of a lack of components starting in March if their suppliers continue to be prevented from going to work by the coronavirus outbreak. Quanta Computer has started volume production at a new assembly plant in Taiwan to meet urgent needs from clients, but components shortages remain an issue. Now Digitimes Research estimates that global notebook shipments will fall 29-36% in first-quarter 2020, much steeper than previously thought.
Taiwanese notebook ODMs have already resumed assembly operations in China, but risks of supply chain disruptions in March are mounting, as inventories of many components will run out by end-February with many of their supporting suppliers still awaiting approvals from local governments to reopen their plants, according to industry sources.”
The Apple Post reported last week that Apple has quietly updated its shipping estimates for Mac Pro models across Europe, advising prospective customers that standard uncustomized machines in some countries won’t ship until March 10, with AirPods Pro models remaining widely unavailable until mid-March.