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The Laptop Supply Chain

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the different-parts-come-together dept.

Carl Bialik from the WSJ writes "When a U.S. consumer orders a laptop from HP or other big sellers, how does the machine get made? Often via a complex supply chain in Taiwan and China, shaped by rocky cross-Strait relations, according to the Wall Street Journal: 'Outsourcing to low-cost, high-quality Taiwanese manufacturers has helped make Dell and H-P the world's top two PC companies in terms of sales...But the relationship between U.S. computer firms and their third-party manufacturers can be tricky. In the struggle to retain an element of control over their suppliers, H-P, Dell and others play contract manufacturers against each other to keep prices falling and ensure no supplier gains too much leverage.'"

4 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. Build by xerid · · Score: 3, Funny

    I build my own. This way I can play, too.

  2. Who knew? by MarkGriz · · Score: 5, Funny

    "... shaped by rocky cross-Strait relations"

    Who knew that laptop technology was influenced so much by country music. And, why is he so cross anyhow?

    --
    Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
  3. That's great! by dextroz · · Score: 5, Funny

    In a few years, no one on continental America will know how to put a laptop together :-/ But they'll be great at tracking DHL/AirBorne and of course flipping burgers ;-)

    --
    Where's my free iPod!? Until then, I'll settle for a kiss...
  4. Ooo! I know! by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 3, Funny
    "When a U.S. consumer orders a laptop from HP or other big sellers, how does the machine get made?

    Magic elves.

    I'm more concerned about the lapdance supply chain.