Why is US Electronics industry still superior?

[invalid1]

This is very observable for consumers who have experience. US made electronics have unbelievable lifespan, with quality as well.

But ever since I've learned the word "Silicon Valley" I'm starting to doubt either this land's raw materials are magically different or is it just some manufacturing knowledge that the Chinese can get access to?

[WindAtMyBack]

Electronic parts come from all over the world. Very often you don't even have a choice where they come from. The parts themselves can make a big difference in final product quality.

The quality of an electronic device is basically about design, selection of parts, manufacturing, and quality control. All of these things are under the control of the company regardless of where it's manufactured. If they send it overseas and get poor quality, it's because the company was not willing to pay for higher quality.

Electronic assembly is largely automated these days. The company may or may not specify some sort of testing. Much of the testing is automated also. The yield (the number of good products that pass testing) may depend more on the design than the manufacturing. It also depends on the complexity since more complex designs may have lower yield. The yield also affects price.

There is a lot more to it. I haven't answered the question, because I don't know the answer, or if it's even true that US made stuff is better quality. What I do know is that there is a lot to it, with price being a major factor. People don't really want better quality. They say they do, but they will shop by price. They aren't willing to pay for better quality. The company with the lower price will get the sale, usually even if it's lower quality.

[invalid1]

I understand. But I am also guessing that they dope the material carefully in a way to make it resilient. It becomes heavier when you notice, and is extremely resilient to impacts.

[WindAtMyBack]

That's something very specific that would only affect a small number of products. I also don't see why it would make a difference where it is made.

[BeMuse]

There is a certain set of manufacturing knowledge and specific highly calibrated tool sets that are needed in addition to high quality engineering. America is very good at some types of chips, were as Taiwan is good at other types of chips. West Taiwan (Mainland China) makes trash regardless of which industry you’re talking about.

[BeMuse]

If Taiwan was taken by mainland China, it would take several years and billions of dollar of investment and infrastructure to catch up to their technology and make all the chips America does not currently make.

[BeMuse]

China generally just tries to steal other people's engineering and technology. They don't have a workflow to continuously refine their tools and innovate.

[BeMuse]

That's why they want to steal Taiwan... It would be a huge blow to human advancement in technology and would set the species back years. They would bungle up the entire industry.

[jshm2]

Get your head out your ass. There is no such thing as "US made electronics".

It's all made in China, at best some assembly occurs in the USA and Mexico.

But aside from R&D mostly everything is between Taiwan, China, Japan, Turkey and Malaysia

[invalid1]

I am talking about certain brands, even chinese brands not all of them made within China.

[Delikatess]

What makes you think they are?