Meko presents monitor findings

Preliminary data from Meko's DisplayCast market research indicates that the European CRT and LCD desktop monitor market in Q2 2003 presented the major players in the region with a tough challenge. As LCD supply tightened and panel prices were pushed up, it is evident that even some of the largest suppliers were not able to capitalise on what had been strongly rising demand for LCD monitors.According to figures from the company's survey of the market, the volume of monitors shipped during the quarter fell short of the expected 7.7m units and year on year growth was only 7% thanks to a significant drop in CRT monitor shipments.Despite these challenges, LCD monitors continue to take share from CRT monitors and for the first time, shipments of LCD monitors accounted for more than 50% of the market by volume."Looking forward, we expect that LCD sales will continue to take more of the market by volume but there is a significant shortage of 15 inch LCD monitors at present and this will mean a slow down in rate of growth", commented Bob Raikes, Meko's principal."By the beginning of 2005, LCD monitors will account for more than three quarters of the market. However, this growth relies on the ability of the panel makers to ramp up production at the next wave of fifth and above generation fabs". Source: PCBnewsline