The Tech Shortage Continues

Tech Shortage Continues A Year Later

At the beginning of the school year, many kids ask for a new laptop or computer for school. For new college students, it’s almost a necessity. The start of the school year is one of the most lucrative times for computer companies. Laptops and computers can be expensive, and many people may opt for a lower cost option like a Chromebook. Manufacturers expect certain surges throughout the year.

So what happens when a pandemic hits and, all at once, schools across the country try to obtain hundreds and thousands of devices to provide to students? What about the kids trying to get one in districts where they can’t provide a device for remote learning?

Cue The Demand

COVID-19 continues its impact a year later, and families and schools are still trying to find low costs devices to continue the students’ education. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for schools. Some are opened, some are partially opened and balance that with remote learning, some are remote only. People still need laptops, so the shortage persists while suppliers play catch-up.

When thousands upon thousands of unexpected device sales are made, companies naturally struggle to keep up. Suppliers are sending shipments out as fast as possible, but most lower cost devices might be on backorder. We’re this far into the school year, and the shortages are still a real problem. And they’re affecting a variety of industries and kinds of hardware, like chips used in cars and computers. In addition to the sheer demand, there have also been other disruptions like geopolitics, factory fires, and manufacturing issues.  

If you are in the market for a computer and can afford it, you may want to look for something you can get in store now or select something from an online retailer that isn’t already on backorder. The suppliers are going to catch up eventually; for now, they’re dealing with the shortage as well as they can. Surely, they want to fill orders as much as you want to place them. 

(Image Source: iCLIPART)