Apple has delayed production of some MacBook and iPad models due to the global shortage of chips affecting electronics and automobile industries, according to Nikkei Asia. For the MacBook, the supply chain issue affected a key manufacturing step in which components are mounted on circuit boards prior to final assembly of the laptop. Meanwhile, iPad production has been pushed back due to a shortage of screens and display components.
Nikkei says the chip shortage has yet to have a noticeable impact on product availability to consumers and remains a supply chain issue. It remains to be seen whether that will remain the case when the tech giant pushes back some of its component orders for this half-year devices into the second half of the year. As analysts and technical officials told the news agency, Apple is known for managing a complex supply chain and has the power to quickly source the components it needs. The fact that even such a massive company has been hit by this issue means that it is getting more serious and could have a bigger impact on smaller players in the months to come.
The electronics and automotive industries began to feel the effects of the semiconductor shortage after work and home study agreements due to the coronavirus pandemic caused an increase in demand for PC and other devices last year. Automakers like Ford and Nissan have had to reduce vehicle production, and Sony said that the PlayStation 5 stay in short supply for a few months because of the problem. It has become such a concern that the Biden administration is Planning “Aggressive measures” to address this, including “identifying bottlenecks in supply chains”.
Apple’s iPhone production has not been affected by the semiconductor shortage, although Tim Cook said Reuters in January, the iPhone 12 Pro model was facing supply constraints. Nikkei the sources echoed what the chief executive said, telling the publication that the supply for some iPhone parts is “pretty tight.”