generic Chipageddon Could Last Until 2023, According to Analysts
Chips are omnipresent, from cars, phones, computers and even toothbrushes, but the recent shortage shows no sign of ending. The situation is so bad, that some experts even call it “chipageddon” or “chipocalypse.”
See: The Supply Chain is Broken Again for Chicken, Ketchup and Computer Chips
Find: 10 Supply Shortages That May Happen Again This Year
Glenn O’Donnell, a vice president research director at advisory firm Forrester, believes the shortage could last through 2022 and into 2023, because demand will remain high and supply will remain constrained, according to a blog post.
O’Donnell says that these shortages threaten product deliveries from PCs to automobiles to consumer electronics.
Part of the problem is a classic supply and demand imbalance. “Demand for cloud computing services from providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure and Alibaba continues to skyrocket. They buy lots of semiconductors. Mobile phone sales remain hot. Makers like Apple, Samsung and Huawei buy lots of chips. PCs are hot. They buy lots, too! Piled atop all that is a shortage of GPUs and other chips gobbled up by cryptocurrency gluttons. Demand is hotter than ever, and it’s only getting hotter,” he wrote.
And of course, the pandemic played a role in this demand surge, too.
See: Now Could Be a Good Time to Sell Your Used Car
Find: Inflation Hits Purchases of Used Cars, Bacon, Citrus Fruit and Airline Fares the Most
“With the work-from-home surge came the surge in PC sales — you need a good PC to work from home. PC makers buy LOTS of semiconductors. Zoom, Teams and other collaboration platforms became the meeting room, the water cooler, the schoolroom and the family reunion all rolled into one. Demand for these services exploded. Since they are all running in the cloud, those aforementioned cloud services need more chips,” he added in the post.
He adds that the semiconductors have a ripple effect on products in other markets. “If it has a plug or a battery, it is probably full of chips. If the chip supply is tight, these other products suffer delays or even cancellations. Your Ring doorbell, your new car, even a smart toilet needs chips,” he said.
As people experience availability problems or price increases when buying new products, O’Donnell recommends patience. In addition, he the other option is to pay the increased fee. “When supply is low and demand is high and you want it now, you could pay a hefty price,” he said.
You can also choose another configuration. “See if there is a similar product available. Maybe it is a PC with an Intel processor instead of AMD, or maybe it has less memory,” he suggested. And finally, buy used or refurbished products.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Chipageddon Could Last Until 2023, According to Analysts
