The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the supply chain for devices around the world. Apple has been affected and has reduced iPhone production. MWC, the world's largest mobile convention, has been canceled due to the virus. Now Microsoft has posted an update, saying that the Xbox Series X is safe for now for the 2020 holiday season.

However, while Microsoft's flagship gaming console escaped the virus unscathed, fans waiting for Microsoft's new line of Surface products were out of luck.

Microsoft's statement on its blog about the current fiscal year's results says:

"While we are seeing strong Windows demand in line with our expectations, the supply chain (due to the public health crisis in China) is slower than we had anticipated as of our Q2 earnings call pace and is returning to normal operations.

"As a result... Windows OEMs and Surface have been more negatively impacted than previously anticipated."

"The company is now in the process of returning to normal operations at a slower pace than we expected at the time of our Q2 earnings call.

The company does not expect to meet its personal computing targets for the third quarter, as the situation in China is prompting delays as production facilities are closed across the country and supply lines are disrupted. Brent Till, an analyst with Wealth Management Analysts Jefferies, told the Financial Times yesterday that "even the best high-tech company on the planet is not going to be able to meet its personal computing targets in the third quarter. Even the best tech companies on the planet."

That means the long-awaited Microsoft Surface Duo, the dual-screen foldable that Microsoft doesn't want you to call a phone, will unfortunately be delayed. Microsoft's other Surface products, such as the upcoming Surface Neo, which also has a dual screen, will also likely be delayed before they reach the market. How long the delay will be has not yet been disclosed, but we may have to wait until next year before we can get our hands on one.

However, Microsoft concludes its blog post with an encouraging statement, insisting that "all other components of our Q3 guidance remain unchanged." This includes its other businesses, including its Xbox products.

The high-profile Xbox Series X is scheduled to launch in holiday 2020, and Microsoft seems to be doing everything in its power to ensure its launch is not interrupted - just as rival Sony does with the PS5. After Nintendo scaled back production earlier this year due to coronavirus concerns, the threat of delaying the launch of both consoles is very real.

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