Has anyone noticed a stock shortage of monitors in New Zealand due to the uprise in WFH?

Forums › Desktop computing › Has anyone noticed a stock shortage of monitors in New Zealand due to the uprise in WFH?

turtleattacks

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#275678 3-Sep-2020 14:42

Hi guys,

Wife told me that she wanted a monitor for her home office so I thought that I could just go out and pick one up for her, was planning to get her the same LG USB-C (https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MONLGL62786/LG-27UL850-W-27-UDH-4K-USB-C-Monitor--DisplayHDR-4) monitor as myself but looking on PB's website, it appears that a bunch of monitors aren't available until November.

I wonder if due to the increase of WFH, there's a shortage of stocks in the market now?

The only one I could find that's USB-C and 4K is the Dell Ultrasharp (https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MONDEL42721/Dell-UltraSharp-U2720Q-27-4K-USB-C-Monitor--Up-to) - which I'm considering just getting for her. (It's probably the same panel anyway)

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nitro

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#2556426 3-Sep-2020 14:47

Probably for specific models/suppliers, but not for monitors in general. There's a bunch of them at Warehouse Stationery last Tuesday.

rp1790

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#2556427 3-Sep-2020 14:49

For that price I'd seriously consider one of the 34-in ultrawide monitors like this one https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MONPHS3461/Philips-346B1C-34-Ultrawide-Curved-USB-C-Docking-M

I bought an LG Ultrawide during the first lockdown, best thing I ever did.

turtleattacks

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#2556428 3-Sep-2020 14:52

I seriously looked into getting these but these are not quite 4K are they? What kind of work do you do?

Would it be good for multiple windows?

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rp1790

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#2556433 3-Sep-2020 14:54

I think it's a much better resolution as the text isn't so small as you get on a 4K monitor. When I was doing my research I defaulted to thinking 4K was better because it's a higher resolution but much prefer the ultrawide and I based that on a few reviews and opinions on various monitor review sites.

kingdragonfly

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#2556449 3-Sep-2020 15:31

I noticed a reduction in selection of monitors also.

If you're picky, or want to buy a specific monitor, you may not be able to.

I also noticed suppliers also are limiting "specials"

For example JB Hi Fi would typically have at least 4 monitors on special.

Now it's two monitors "specials": a 24" and 27"

Both are commodity low-end models, and not great prices.

kingdragonfly

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#2556450 3-Sep-2020 15:33

Not really related, but the Nintendo Switch is also not on special anywhere.

nzkc

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#2556451 3-Sep-2020 15:35

I have the Dell you linked to. Love it!

I work from home (in an IT role) and with the laptop monitor as the second screen the set up works well for me. I have the laptop on a stand to raise it. I'm not going to say a widescreen is better/worse cause I suspect it depends on the person and their use case.

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mattwnz

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#2556453 3-Sep-2020 15:39

Are you wanting an IPS screen? I would never get a non IPS monitor these days, and a decent one too, but guess it depends on your use. For normal everyday use, a good quality IPS screen is great due to great colours and viewing angles. I have a Dell Ultrasharp, which I think are their premium ones. Also have a second hand Apple cinema display which is an awesome screen and both are IPS. I have a VA screen as well, and just dislike using it.

turtleattacks

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#2556457 3-Sep-2020 15:44

mattwnz:

Are you wanting an IPS screen? I would never get a non IPS monitor these days, and a decent one too, but guess it depends on your use. For normal everyday use, a good quality IPS screen is great due to great colours and viewing angles. I have a Dell Ultrasharp, which I think are their premium ones. Also have a second hand Apple cinema display which is an awesome screen and both are IPS. I have a VA screen as well, and just dislike using it.

I believe that both the Ultrasharp and the LG above are IPS panels.

If I'm not mistaken, they are both LG panels.

I currently have the LG and it's great, and the warranty is great also as I had just got it back from the service centre as the panel suffered some issues with the corners turning pink.

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Handle9

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#2556464 3-Sep-2020 16:06

rp1790:

For that price I'd seriously consider one of the 34-in ultrawide monitors like this one https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MONPHS3461/Philips-346B1C-34-Ultrawide-Curved-USB-C-Docking-M

I bought an LG Ultrawide during the first lockdown, best thing I ever did.

These are apples and oranges. The one you linked to is a QHD VA panel compared to a 4K IPS panel on the LG.

For me QHD is ample but which is better is really down to use case.

MikeB4

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#2556556 3-Sep-2020 16:16

The supply of many products is constrained due to Covid-19 and manufacturing and shipping shutdowns. This not just tech stuff, I was helping a family member buy a new car and found stock in NZ is very tight and the supply constrained. This is only going to get worse over the next six to twelve months.

Handle9

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#2556558 3-Sep-2020 16:21

Manufacturing is recovering nicely but logistics (particularly air freight) is a real problem for NZ. It's been supported (subsidised) by the government but I think that is scheduled to finish in November.

concordnz

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EMT (R)

#2556903 4-Sep-2020 11:58

Yes it's been a problem for months.
It's improved now in mainstream sizes 22/24 in.

27's/32's & Gaming - should come right again over the next few months.

Worldwide - Logistics is still a challenge. & so is manufacturing (a lock down in one country where 1 small component is made - can impact final product manufacturering in other countries)

That's the downside of international supply chains & 'just too late' ordering....

concordnz

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EMT (R)

#2556905 4-Sep-2020 12:00

There is also suggestions (across TomsHardware et al) that there is a 5million unit laptop shortage across USA alone - so you should expect availability of laptops(particularly entry level) - to remain very 'patchy' too.

Varkk

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#2557076 4-Sep-2020 15:20

Monitors a little bit of reduced selection but not too bad. We can usually source something appropriate without any hassle. However USB headsets and webcams are definitely facing some availability issues.