Asia-Pacific region adopts LCD monitors, shuns CRTs

A report by research firm IDC has indicated that the LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor is overtaking the CRT (cathode ray tube), when it comes to the PC monitor of choice in the Asia Pacific region excluding Japan (APEJ).

According to the report, 28.1 million PC monitors were sold in APEJ in the first half of 2008, an increase of 7.2 percent over the same period last year but a 1.1 percent decline over the second half of 2007. CRT sales in the region suffered a 31.2 percent decline, while LCD sales increased by 5.1 percent over the second half of 2007.

"IDC believes the total PC monitor market [in APEJ] will remain muted in the second half of 2008, with a mild 4.4 percent growth over the first half of 2008, and a 3.2 percent growth year-on-year," said Yoong Siat-Siah, senior analyst, IDC Asia Pacific personal systems research.

Popular choice

IDC also noted that the 19-inch widescreen LCD monitor had become the mainstream in APEJ as of the first half of 2008. The research firm attributed this conclusion to an increased acceptance of widescreen LCD monitors in the region, with widescreen models registering a 32.1 percent growth over the second half of 2007, partially due to sales of widescreen 15-inch, 16-inch and 17-inch models.

According to IDC, 15-inch and 16-inch widescreen LCD models are also starting to penetrate emerging markets such as those in ASEAN, where price is usually the main factor when making purchase decisions. The research firm noted that, due to competitive price points, smaller sized LCD monitors were being introduced as alternatives to CRTs in markets such as China and India, which are traditional strongholds for the CRT monitor.

"Prices are expected to continue on their downward spiral in Q3 of 2008, which might help buoy the otherwise soft market," said Anjali Joseph, associate analyst, IDC Asia Pacific personal systems research.

By 2012, IDC expects the 17-inch widescreen LCD monitor to be the mainstream size for India, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam, while the 19-inch widescreen LCD monitor will gain a strong foothold in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the PRC, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Australia, Korea and New Zealand are expected to see strong uptake of the 22-inch widescreen LCD monitors by 2012.