Apple Having Issues With M2 Revision

It seems as if Apple is having some issues building up next generation M2 processors, for the introduction of the M2-enabled MacBookPro

TSMC, the fab producing the new M2 processors, is late meeting its projected yields for the 4nm based processor.

I was hoping they would be making the shipment announcement this week, as they normally do, so I can place an order, but that does not seem to be in the cards....

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DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

Pretty much all computing equipment is still running into problems with the chip shortage. 😞

Northwest · M

@DeWayfarer This is more of a new process growing pains. Generally speaking, chip shortages eased up several months ago. The chip vendors overproduced, and are now looking at price drops of 25%-35% across the board, with the highest in the memory space.

The new M2, is the first time TSMC, using new equipment from the US/Holland, attempts mass production of a 4nm process. The yields are still low.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Northwest interesting because this is not true in the graphics card industry. They all are still having problems as well as the auto industry.

There are many types of chips even within computers.

Northwest · M

@DeWayfarer You may want to double check. There used to be a supply crunch, but then about 3 months ago, the flood gates opened. If you to to Amazon, you will find these things on sale, and you can have same day delivery.

I am not sure why the auto industry is still having issues, but that could be related to some automakers hoarding chips. Tesla for instance. Typically, the type of chips used for the auto industry are not high end. For instance, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Nissan, Hyundai, VW report no issues with getting the chips they need, while Honda, Toyota and GM are still reporting supply chain issues.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Northwest Surely with your own article regarding this

https://similarworlds.com/news/4491080-U-S-Suppliers-Halt-Operations-at-YMTC

You can see the problem. While I agree with you that such companies are a problem, the banning of such Chinese companies creates a shortage problem.

With Hong Kong including in such bans the whole situation creates a shortage.

Northwest · M

@DeWayfarer Apples and Oranges. The banned companies, are not producing chips that go into the graphics cards, or cards. They want to produce high end processors and memory chips.

46% of the total automotive market of $69 billion in 2021, went to 10 companies. Infineon (Germany) led the pack, followed by NXP (parent company: Philips), Renesas (Japan), and Texas Instruments, Analog Devices (San Jose), MCHP (Arizona), STMicroelectronics (Taiwan).

The rest is bread and butter type stuff the sanctions do not apply to.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Northwest now consider Euros own manufacturing problems with this energy crunch.

It's got to effect chip manufacturers there. They are energy starved as is.

Northwest · M

@DeWayfarer It takes 1.432 kWh to create a 1 square cm wafer (about the size of a high end processor, such as the M2). That's like a 100 watt light bulb, running for 14+ hours. So, that's a bunch of energy. There's an energy crunch, whether it's Europe or anywhere else on the face of planet.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Northwest one wafer multiplied by millions needed! 😆