The only Apple device that is produced in the U.S. is about to have its manufacturing operations moved overseas.
Apple reportedly plans to make its expensive new Mac Pro in China according to a new report that claims an assembly partner has already been lined up. The previous “trash can” Mac Pro was made at an Apple facility in Austin, Texas where the company also has a software engineering hub.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple has tapped Quanta to manufacture the new Mac Pro that starts with a $6000 price tag and only gets more expensive with upgrades. Production is allegedly “ramping up” at a factory in Shanghai, though an exact launch date hasn’t been announced yet.
No more ‘Made in USA’
Moving Mac Pro production to China comes at a time when Apple and its suppliers are considering moving production for some Apple products outside of the country. Recent tariffs proposed by President Donald Trump could increase iPhone prices considerably. Apple said such tariffs would hurt its global competitiveness and help its competition.
One of the main reasons for moving production to China is because other parts suppliers are located nearby, making component shipping costs lower. Quanta already makes MacBook models at the same facility too.
Producing the Mac Pro in the U.S. was problematic for Apple. Earlier this year it was revealed that sales of the Mac Pro were postponed for months because Apple’s supplier in Texas couldn’t make enough tiny screws fast enough.
