RAM Crisis: Apple Found Something It Can’t Vertically Integrate
16 hours ago
- Memory makers, like Micron, blame customers for rock-bottom pricing during downturns, which discouraged investments and led to the current memory shortage.
- RAM production is complex and time-consuming, making it hard to balance supply and demand, leading to unpredictable shortages.
- The last major memory crunch in the late 1980s caused issues for Nintendo cartridges, and despite improvements, demand can still outpace supply.
- Apple avoids vertical integration for RAM because it's costly and difficult, unlike its chip strategy with TSMC, and even Samsung favors external buyers over its own needs.
- Consumers ultimately suffer from the memory crisis, as prices rise and availability drops.