Flat panel price hike predicted

Prices set to rise as supplies drop off.

Although large TFT-LCD panel prices plunged again in March as demand from buyers decelerated, the availability of cheap displays is not likely to last.

Research from industry analyst iSuppli has detected a shift in the panel market, suggesting that prices are set to rise as supplies begin to tighten.

Average prices for desktop monitors have already climbed two per cent in April, while notebook panel prices rose one per cent during the same month.

This will translate into bad news for consumers who can expect to see price rises as panels become less available.

One of the driving forces in demand for new flat panel displays is consumers moving to Microsoft's Vista operating system, according to iSuppli.

The analyst firm expects demand to outstrip supply until at least the third quarter of this year.

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