M2 chip
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A dubious report claims that Apple is reportedly manufacturing M2 chips at the beginning of 2023, caused by an apparent slump in Mac sales.
The demand for products can have a major impact on the supply chain as Apple tries to tailor production to the needs of its customers. A report claims that Apple will stop manufacturing M2 chips in early 2023 because of its sales Mac and MacBooks were reportedly jammed.
According to sources of DeElec, Apple “completely stopped production” of the M2 system-on-chip for MacBook models in January and February. While some production resumed in March, levels would be only half that of the same period in 2022.
The source explained that a slump in the finished products market indicates that it is a serious situation, more than previously expected.
The Outsourcing Semiconductor Package Test (OSAT) said Monday that TSMC did not send M2 wafers with a 5-nanometer process for review in January and February. Apple has apparently asked for a production break due to reduced demand for MacBooks.
While DeElec reasonable when it comes to supply chain stories, the reasoning behind this seems a bit far-fetched.
Part of this report makes sense. Apple struggled to keep products on store shelves over the Christmas period due to supply issues, while production of the M2 processor continued. The alleged “pause” may have just been a period when Apple had more chips on hand than needed at short notice.
Other analysts have pointed to an overall decline in the PC market, but with Apple holding out flat sales in 2022. Analysts’ forecasts for Q1 2023 Mac sales are also expected to be good, with Apple being good a highlight in a shrinking industry.
And while it’s entirely in Apple’s power to interrupt production of a major component, this kind of activity would normally have been picked up by observers and speakers earlier this year.