The news comes via Bloomberg, noting that the increased demand for display drivers is causing a crisis throughout the semiconductor industry. Yes, that is one of the reasons why you haven’t been able to get your mitts on an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. The display driver in question costs a whole $1 to manufacture, but due to that one part being an extremely key component of all screens, manufacturers cannot supply them fast enough. The display driver controls the illumination on a screen — namely liquid crystal displays — and due to everything from TVs to cars, using screen technology there just isn’t enough to go around.
How did we get into this situation? Well, it’s the same answer to most issues right now… Covid-19 happened. When the pandemic began, manufacturers all over the world started slowing the production of technology in anticipation of a large dip in consumer purchases. That, however, was not the case, as people were confined to their homes the sales of consumer electronics rose. With the need to work from home, people around the world started upgrading computer setups and buying laptops. Those who couldn’t work from home brought TV’s and a multitude of other electricals to help make life a little more bearable. The biggest hitter, though, came from the automotive industry, which practically shut down the production of vehicles. When everybody was confined to their homes during quarantine, the sales of cars dropped considerably because of the lack of showroom access. But as restrictions lifted and the population slowly started leaving their homes, the need for a vehicle skyrocketed. People didn’t want to risk taking public transport so, in turn, they bought vehicles, resulting in automobile production needing to work double-time to catch up.
So, there you have it, a $1 display driver is the reason for many of you being unable to upgrade your gaming systems. Have you managed to grab an Xbox Series X|S yet? Let us know!
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