Computer and camera prices to go up as Thailand deals with flood fallout

Eagle-eyed consumers will probably notice the cost of laptops, computer components, and digital photographic equipment rising over the next few weeks, as companies deal with the fallout from Thailand’s flooding.

Since July, heavy rain has been falling on Thailand, causing incredible flooding the likes of which hasn’t been seen in decades. The disaster, which has taken the lives of over 300 people, is also likely to damage Thailand’s booming electronics component industry. Many factories have already closed and suspended operations, halting the production of computer and photographic components made in Thailand.

Companies including Apple, Seagate, Western Digital, Nikon, and Canon are expecting a shortage of available devices, with the flooding likely to drive up the cost of computers and hard drives in the next few weeks.

The good news is that not all parts are made in Thailand, with manufacturers able to source some needed technology out of production plants in other parts of Asia.

The bad news, however, is that with a lot of the technology needed for hard drives produced in Thailand and the flooding far from over, it could be an even longer time until the prices return to normal.