MacBook Pro Supplier Considering Relocating Factory to Increase Production

[MacRumors]

Apple supplier Quanta Computer is considering the feasibility of relocating its MacBook Pro production to its factory in Chongqing, China, as output at its Shanghai plant remains constrained by lockdown restrictions, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes.

The move could gradually boost the availability of MacBook Pro models and shorten the extended delivery times that Apple customers have been experiencing in recent weeks, but staffing and logistical issues could hinder progress.

In a tweet last month, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Quanta is the sole supplier of high-end MacBook Pro models, which are facing significant supply constraints. In the United States, for instance, all 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations are currently estimated for delivery in mid-July to early August on Apple's online store.

On an earnings call last month, Apple said supply constraints caused by COVID-related disruptions and industrywide silicon shortages were impacting the company's ability to meet customer demand for its products. Apple said it expected the constraints to have a $4 billion to $8 billion impact on the company's June quarter revenue.

Apple's latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models launched in October 2021, with key new features including M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, the return of several built-in ports, and a ProMotion display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate.

Article Link: MacBook Pro Supplier Considering Relocating Factory to Increase Production

 

[Shaggymax]

6-8 weeks of shutdown = how many units? Effects will be felt into 2023

 

[mansplains]

Hoped the article would be about moving production to other nations, but that remains a pipe dream.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It is time to say goodbye to China. When will these companies realize this? What’s it going to take?

 

[4jasontv]

I ordered a 14" MBP M1 Pro with only 16 GB of ram based on Apple's recommendation. Ends up it is grossly under spec'd for general document management and multitasking. They keep extending my return policy claiming more powerful units will be available soon. It's been months.

At this point, anything that gets units out sooner is a good idea.

Maybe Apple could drop the low-end units to build-to-order and start shipping 32 GB / 1 TB models to retailers.

 

[DarkHelmet]

If Intel can build a plant in Ohio, perhaps Apple could, too. Or Texas. Or Tennessee. Or in Ireland or Poland or practically anyplace other than China.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

It is time to say goodbye to China. When will these companies realize this? What’s it going to take?

As long as a Chinese worker will cost you as much per day as an American on a McJob per hour, they will not leave.

 

[DarkHelmet]

It is time to say goodbye to China. When will these companies realize this? What’s it going to take?

Another plague perhaps.

 

[DarkHelmet]

As long as a Chinese worker will cost you as much per day as an American on a McJob per hour, they will not leave.

Chinese labor isn't as cheap as it used to be. And productivity matters, as does quality. Not to mention the fact that if you can't get your factories open the labor costs are irrelevant.

 

[4jasontv]

If Intel can build a plant in Ohio, perhaps Apple could, too. Or Texas. Or Tennessee. Or in Ireland or Poland or practically anyplace other than China.

If the US would let Apple bring its money into the US without paying double taxes they might be motivated to do that.

 

[masterleep]

Studio Display lead times are bad as well.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Someday machines will be doing this work so viruses and labor costs will no longer be a factor.

 

[FightTheFuture]

If Intel can build a plant in Ohio, perhaps Apple could, too. Or Texas. Or Tennessee. Or in Ireland or Poland or practically anyplace other than China.

Apple doesn’t build manufacturing plants.

 

[Matsism]

China is still playing the cow-19 theatre so nothing will be made in the factories. Better to move the production to a non WHO member without zero-cow agenda.

 

[Enlightened Doggo]

Chinese labor isn't as cheap as it used to be. And productivity matters, as does quality. Not to mention the fact that if you can't get your factories open the labor costs are irrelevant.

Nobody's labor is as cheap as it used to be. McDonalds pays people $21/hour where I'm at. Chinese labor is still way cheaper than American labor.

 

[performa_6400]

6-8 weeks of shutdown = how many units? Effects will be felt into 2023

Or longer, these lockdowns are going to lead to a global recession. No good.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Or longer, these lockdowns are going to lead to a global recession. No good.

Well, lockdowns do not lead to a recession, printing money out of thin air like there's no tomorrow will...

 

[citysnaps]

Apple doesn’t build manufacturing plants.

Astonishing that seems to be lost on so many people.

 

[DarkHelmet]

If the US would let Apple bring its money into the US without paying double taxes they might be motivated to do that.

Good point. Ireland used to be the perfect place given the favorable tax treatment.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Apple doesn’t build manufacturing plants.

Yes, but their contract manufacturers do.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Nobody's labor is as cheap as it used to be. McDonalds pays people $21/hour where I'm at. Chinese labor is still way cheaper than American labor.

Cheaper on a per hour basis. Cheaper on a per unit produced within QA parameters? Maybe. Maybe not. As of right now, not, since they don't seem to be building them at all.

 

[MajorFubar]

I ordered a 14" MBP M1 Pro with only 16 GB of ram based on Apple's recommendation. Ends up it is grossly under spec'd for general document management and multitasking. They keep extending my return policy claiming more powerful units will be available soon. It's been months.

At this point, anything that gets units out sooner is a good idea.

Maybe Apple could drop the low-end units to build-to-order and start shipping 32 GB / 1 TB models to retailers.

Off topic...but a 16GB MBP is "grossly under spec'd for general document management"? In what world?

 

[jz0309]

It is time to say goodbye to China. When will these companies realize this? What’s it going to take?

shareholders and analysts accepting lower margins ... AAPL valuation down to $1T ...

 

[4jasontv]

Off topic...but a 16GB MBP is "grossly under spec'd for general document management"? In what world?

Yesterday I wrote 17 pages. It necessitated opening and comparing eight Word documents, forty PDFs at about 32 pages each, and six PDFs each about 800 pages. I needed to then compare images from within these documents with 25 screenshots from within three 45-ish-minute 4K videos. With all these documents open I curated data into an excel spreadsheet.

This is mostly typical. Last week I had a really productive day where I wrote 32 pages. I ended up having to screenshot websites because until I quit Safari Word was having trouble rendering pages.

 

[MajorFubar]

Yesterday I wrote 17 pages. It necessitated opening and comparing eight Word documents, forty PDFs at about 32 pages each, and six PDFs each about 800 pages. I needed to then compare images from within these documents with 25 screenshots from within three 45-ish-minute 4K videos. With all these documents open I curated data into an excel spreadsheet.

This is mostly typical. Last week I had a really productive day where I wrote 32 pages. I ended up having to screenshot websites because until I quit Safari Word was having trouble rendering pages.

Fair play but I think mine and your definitions of “general document management” are probably poles apart.