Apple has added two China-based manufacturers to its list of MacBook chassis suppliers in an effort to push down prices quoted by Taiwan-based makers, according to a new report today by DigiTimes.

macbook air and 12 inch
China-based Shenzhen Everwin Precision Technology and AAC Technologies are said to have obtained Apple certification in 2017, and this year they began small-volume shipments of the metal-alloy chassis for Apple's notebook line-up.

Previous years saw Taiwan-based Catcher Technology, Foxconn Technology and Casetek Holdings dominate the supply of MacBook chassis, and Apple reportedly intends to continue relying on them because of their excellent manufacturing capabilities, but not before it has capitalized on the Chinese makers' lower production costs.

DigiTimes' sources indicate that for Taiwan makers, competition from China rivals will have more impact on their gross margins than on order volumes. To offset the impact, Taiwan companies have increasingly sought orders from Chinese brand vendors of high-end devices like laptops. Responding to the rumored potential of Chinese competition for Apple's business, for example, Catcher said its outlook for 2018 remained unchanged.

Apple is expected to release a new low-cost MacBook Air later this year that will be similar in design to the current MacBook Air, but with slimmer bezels around the display. Based on the latest rumor, the new machine will be a straight MacBook Air upgrade aimed at students and schools, with a lower price tag than MacBooks in the MacBook family.

It remains unclear how a new 13-inch Retina MacBook Air fits in with Apple's existing 12-inch Retina MacBook lineup, so the company's plans for its upcoming notebook range could still throw up a surprise or two.

Related Forums: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

ignatius345 Avatar
67 months ago
To much dependency on China.

To bad Apple can't manufacture these parts in countries that don't hate America.
News flash: Apple is a huge, multi-national corporation out to make money, like every other huge, multi-national corporation. None of them are interested in tribalism either -- they're chasing the best/cheapest labor and manufacturing conditions and the highest-yielding markets. For now, the source of labor is Asia and the markets are largely North America and Europe. Best believe that as circumstances shift, so too will their market priorities. You can keep buying the populist narrative of countries "hating America" but big captial is "to" busy making money to care.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pratikindia Avatar
67 months ago
Too much dependency on Chinese companies will hurt Apple one day.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BMcCoy Avatar
67 months ago
Might be as much about diversification of parts suppliers as it is about driving down manufacturing costs.

Diversifying your suppliers can reduce risk - risk of delay/failure/low yield/economic issues.
It often comes at a cost, mainly duplication of many jobs/processes. But in large volume products, it does introduce competitiveness, of quality and cost.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dave245 Avatar
67 months ago
If they are going to push down prices why introduce a new cheaper MacBook Air? but doesn't this lend credit to the idea that Apple could reduce the cost of the 12" MacBook to around $999 and then introduce a $1,200 13" version?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rloechner Avatar
67 months ago
Why can’t we make these machines in America?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anson42 Avatar
67 months ago
To much dependency on China.

To bad Apple can't manufacture these parts in countries that don't hate America.
Hating America is a strong term and wrong. China has a vested interest – an understatement – in the well being of the US economy. There are so many variables in complex international relationships not one of us can profess to understand it nor see the whole picture. Here is one aspect of the US/China relationship that many have probably heard of, but do you know really what it means?

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/080615/china-owns-us-debt-how-much.asp

[Aside: IMO you don't fix anything with a tariff war, but hey, I'm not a politician nor an economist.]
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...