PETALING JAYA: It's “hard” news for those looking for new computers and laptops prices have risen due to a shortage of hard disk drives (HDD) following the floods in Thailand.
Power outages and flooded facilities at more than a dozen factories in the country have driven the price of computers up by at least RM100 in just two weeks.
Thailand is the world's largest manufacturer of HDD, accounting for nearly half the world's needs. HDDs are the storage component of desktop computers and laptops.
A check with several IT outlets here showed that the price of external hard drives had also increased drastically.
Carter Chan, a sales supervisor of an outlet at Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur, said the price of all products related to HDDs had increased due to the floods.
“The price of external hard disks has either doubled or tripled, depending on the brand,” he said, adding that sales had been affected due to the sudden increase.
Lim Chooi Chin, a computer outlet director at the PJ Digital Mall here, said the price of almost all brands of desktop computers had increased by about RM100.
A computer accessory shop operator, who only wanted to be known as Saw, 40, also said HDD prices had increased since the floods.
“Prices of hard disks is about RM100 higher compared to prices a month ago. For example, a 1TB hard disk, which was RM280, now costs about RM390,” she said, adding that prices of desktop computers had increased by about 5%.
International market research company IDC Malaysia said the shortage would have a direct impact on worldwide computer shipments through the first half of next year.
“The full extent of the damage to the HDD factories will not be known until the floodwaters recede, al-though it is already clear that there will be HDD supply shortages,” it said in a statement yesterday.
The firm estimated that the industry's total computer shipments could drop by more than 20% in the first quarter of next year.
