Oculus founder Palmer Luckey wants to know if you’d spend 20% more on a “Made in America” PC — but it would surely need something else to stand out?

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Few news articles appear in my feed, reminding me of the “Team America” film, yet here we find ourselves.

Based on the signals I’m picking up, it appears that Palmer Luckey, who gained fame as the founder of Oculus VR (later acquired by Meta), may have a passion for PC hardware, according to reports from Tom’s Hardware.

Not just any PC hardware, though. “Made in America” PC hardware.

Is it something that might interest you to purchase an American-made computer from Anduril, priced 20% higher compared to the Chinese-produced alternatives from Apple? (Published on July 20, 2025)

At this moment, the poll and question posted a few days ago indicate that the majority of respondents lean towards the “yes” option. It seems that a significant number of people are prepared to spend an additional 20%, if not more, when purchasing a computer that is entirely manufactured within the United States.

Although I’m not from America, I still believe I can offer some insight based on my British perspective. In general, I make an effort to prioritize British businesses and farmers when purchasing food, even if the prices are slightly higher. This is due to my personal preference for supporting local industries.

The issue at hand revolves around questioning where these components originate, and an important question arises: Is it feasible for there to be a 20% increase in price? However, considering the constant threat of tariffs, such an increase may not seem excessive. (Tom’s Hardware makes this observation correctly.)

In order for a product to be genuinely labeled as “Made in America”, it should ideally be completely or almost entirely produced within the United States. The primary reason why many manufacturers prefer Asia is due to cost factors.

Although the United States doesn’t exclusively produce chips, companies like NVIDIA – based in California – manufacture most of their chips overseas. However, it’s important to note that major players such as Intel, Broadcom, and Texas Instruments have a significant presence within the U.S.

It’s important to note that while chips play a role, they aren’t the only factor contributing to the increase in cost. Another significant factor could be the limited market appeal of such a specialized PC. Even with the best intentions and marketing efforts, it remains a product catering to a specific niche. Economies of scale achieved through mass production can significantly lower costs, which this product might not yet have fully benefited from.

Regarding the potential 20% price hike, it’s intriguing yet uncertain. Nonetheless, I believe many would agree that what the PC market truly requires isn’t just a boost (a flag being a symbol of such), but rather substantial improvements and solutions to its pressing needs.

Consider Framework as a remarkable demonstration of innovative thinking. The location of its production doesn’t matter much. What truly matters is its functionality, which essentially determines the nature of the product. If Palmer Luckey is genuinely pondering over creating such a product, it should be more than just another laptop with an American flag on the case, don’t you think?

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2025-07-24 16:09