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

124 posts

Master Geek

#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)

nitro

292 posts

Ultimate Geek

#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

504 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#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

124 posts

Master Geek

#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?

rp1790

504 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#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

5108 posts

Uber Geek

#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

5108 posts

Uber Geek

#2556450 3-Sep-2020 15:33

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

nzkc

900 posts

Ultimate Geek

#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.

mattwnz

16852 posts

Uber Geek

#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

124 posts

Master Geek

#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.

Handle9

4752 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#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

15555 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#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

4752 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#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

245 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

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

245 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

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

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#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.