Apple Reportedly in Talks With Suppliers to Assemble MacBooks in Thailand

[Wyckham]

The other elements of the supply chain will follow assembly eventually

 

[Ion-X]

Make it touchscreen already

Touch screens on computers (laptops and monitors) are ergonomically dangerous. By which I mean extending your arms out repeatedly leads to a number of musculoskeletal issues that you don’t want. Think about how many get carpal tunnel, and that’s with your hands on the flat desk. Now imagine how many repetitive stress injuries we will see if everyone is reaching over their desk to interact with their Mac.

Trust me, this is not something you want. The iPad was designed for this purpose.

 

[retroneo]

Apple will build products literally anywhere in the world except the USA.

Remember that iPhones in China are hand assembled by almost exclusively women. Hand size of Americans will play a factor.

 

[0924487]

Remember that iPhones in China are hand assembled by almost exclusively women. Hand size of Americans will play a factor.

Thai women are not bigger than Asian women tho.

 

[genovelle]

Nice move for the time being, I guess. But Thailand seems to be becoming more and more "China lite". I'd prefer instead of buying a bunch of trees, Apple makes major investments in automation for assembly so they can put a factory in almost any country with minimal costs by not having to pay for so many laborers.

There is a great benefit to having laborers to build these devices. It provides opportunity and jobs that greatly improves the quality of life of those communities. Imaging getting a job that increases your pay by 500%.

 

[azpekt]

I am cognizant of reasons that prevent mass assembly of products like this here, in US.
But I'm hopeful that this will change soon.

I really want MacBook with "Designed *and* assembled in USA" badge.

 

[genovelle]

That’s for a variety of reasons. I think we are living through the end of globalization as we know it. More and more countries will rely on their own country or region for manufacturing. USA is already making that transition.

America Is Back in the Factory Business

Record spending on manufacturing construction heralds a made-in-the-U.S. rebound, stoked by green-energy incentives and concerns about foreign supply chains.

www.wsj.com

I am just happy to see Apple diversifying production. I think they’re doing it mostly out of necessity due to the instability of China’s politics.

The most profitable parts of creation and production are done here. The more labor intensive jobs that are prevalent in developing countries with large populations and limited opportunities. Apple can significantly improve their way of life, while we enjoy the luxury of more affordable technology.

 

[Mr. Dee]

By the end of the decade, when Apple fully diversifies the supply chain, they could either continue manufacturing Apple products just in that region for China, while the other regions supply USA and other parts of the world. The great benefit ultimately is removing the dependency. If China wants trigger expensive tariffs or penalties it doesn't matter, because at the end of the day, most Apple products supplying different markets are manufactured elsewhere.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble. Can Apple hold its own?

 

[DownUnderDan]

There is a great benefit to having laborers to build these devices. It provides opportunity and jobs that greatly improves the quality of life of those communities. Imaging getting a job that increases your pay by 500%.

Apple Store employees can only dream.

 

[riverfreak]

Just in time for Songkran.

BKK already has some of the coolest apple stores anywhere, and I’m not just talking about the air conditioning. Colder even than 7-11.

 

[svish]

Good to see more Apple products being manufactured outside China!

 

[_Spinn_]

Diversifying the supply chain is a good thing.

 

[frownface]

cmon apple, start making products in Australia