All articles tagged with #chip shortage
Apple has discontinued the 256GB Mac Mini that sold for $599 and rolled out a new entry-level Mac Mini at $799 with 512GB of storage. Both models reportedly include 16GB of RAM, while the higher-end version uses an M4 chip. The change comes amid ongoing supply constraints and a global memory-chip shortage, with Tim Cook noting that meeting demand may be difficult.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says a touchscreen MacBook Pro is still in the works but due to a global memory chip shortage it’s now expected to ship in early 2027 (late 2026 was the previous window), while a Mac Studio refresh is anticipated around October 2026 with M5-series chips. The high-end laptops would feature touch support, OLED, Dynamic Island, and a thinner design (potentially under a MacBook Ultra branding) with macOS 27 offering a touch-friendly interface; no major redesign is planned for Mac Studio. Overall, launches are pushed back to 2027 for the MacBook Pro and to October 2026 for the Mac Studio.
Meta says RAM shortages are driving price hikes for Quest headsets effective April 19: Quest 3 up $100 to $599; Quest 3S up to $350 (128GB) or $450 (256GB); refurbished Quest 3 up $100 to $550; refurbished Quest 3S up to $320 (128GB) or $410 (256GB). Accessories unchanged; no immediate price changes for smart glasses. A correction notes the refurbished Quest 3 increase is $100, not $170.
Despite the ongoing chip shortage, there are numerous discounts on gaming laptops, PCs, and accessories, making it a good time to buy before prices rise with new AI-driven models. The article highlights specific deals on gaming hardware, Apple products, monitors, and peripherals, emphasizing the opportunity to upgrade or build gaming setups at reduced prices.
Global consumer electronics prices are expected to rise by around 20% in 2026 due to a surge in demand for AI-related memory chips and semiconductors, leading to a supply crunch and increased production costs for manufacturers like Dell, Xiaomi, Lenovo, and Raspberry Pi, with supply chain tensions exacerbated by geopolitical factors.
A global chip shortage is expected to cause a 20% increase in consumer electronics prices, highlighting ongoing supply chain issues affecting the tech industry.
Shares of European automakers rose as China indicated it would consider exemptions for Nexperia chip exports, easing fears of a worsening semiconductor shortage caused by recent export restrictions and government interventions, which had previously threatened auto production.
US auto plants are facing potential significant impacts on vehicle production within two to four weeks due to a conflict with China over chipmaker Nexperia, which supplies critical older-technology chips. Major automakers like Ford, GM, and Stellantis are working to mitigate disruptions as China blocks exports of Nexperia chips in response to geopolitical tensions, risking industry-wide production delays.
Nexperia warned Japanese automakers that it may no longer guarantee supply due to geopolitical conflicts following Dutch government seizure and US-China tensions, raising concerns about disruptions in the global automotive supply chain, especially for electronic control units.
A trade dispute involving Dutch chipmaker Nexperia, critical for auto manufacturing, could lead to auto plant shutdowns and higher car prices, as tensions between the US, China, and the Netherlands threaten the supply of essential automotive chips, exacerbating existing supply chain issues and increasing vehicle costs.
Carmakers are preparing for a semiconductor chip shortage and potential supply disruptions after China imposed restrictions on exports of Nexperia, a key supplier, intensifying the global chip battle.
Automakers in Europe are preparing for potential disruptions in chip supplies due to China's retaliatory export controls on Dutch supplier Nexperia, which could lead to production halts. The industry is seeking alternative sources as current stockpiles are limited, amid escalating US-China trade tensions and China's export restrictions on key materials. Major companies like Volkswagen and Bosch are monitoring the situation and working to mitigate risks, but the disruption could impact global automotive production if not resolved quickly.
The global chip shortage, driven by high demand for AI chips, presents a significant growth opportunity for Nvidia, which dominates the AI chip market with a 95% share. Despite supply constraints, Nvidia's strong control over the supply chain and its technological edge allow it to maintain high pricing power and meet robust demand, positioning it for substantial revenue growth.
The chairman of Renaissance Macro Research, Jeff deGraaf, has expressed concerns that Nvidia's stock rally may be at a standstill for several months due to the ongoing global chip shortage. DeGraaf believes that the company's stock may struggle to make significant gains until the chip supply chain issues are resolved, potentially leading to a period of stagnation for Nvidia's stock performance.
The Biden administration will provide $1.5 billion to aid in the construction of a new computer-chip factory in New York as part of the Chips and Science Act, aiming to bolster U.S. semiconductor production. The grant will assist GlobalFoundries in building a large-scale fabrication facility and upgrading existing plants, addressing concerns over the nation's reliance on foreign chip manufacturers. The move comes amid global chip shortages and heightened competition, with the U.S. seeking to regain leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and secure its supply chain for critical electronics.