As a result of the floods that struck Thailand in 2011, the hard drive reserves of many computer manufacturers were depleted in the last quarter of 2011. Thus, at the beginning of 2012, many computer manufacturers no longer had enough storage devices to meet demand.

This mishap prevented nearly 4 million computers from being produced and put on the market in the first quarter of 2012.

The problems should fade from the second quarter of 2012 and be completely resolved by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2012.

In the meantime, some hard drive manufacturers having relocated their production outside of Thailand while the factories are being rehabilitated in order to respond to the shortage, a comical situation seems to be emerging. As soon as the factories in Thailand fully resume productivity, it seems that there will be a surplus of hard drive production compared to market demand.

Shortage then surplus, let's hope that hard drive manufacturers will soon reach some stability in their production.