The latest figures from IDC reveal that local sales by monitor vendors fell 5.6 percent during the October-December quarter last year, while sales of monitors pre-bundled with computers by first-tier global PC vendors increased by 8.9 percent, due largely to strength in the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) area. This left the overall market relatively flat, growing only 0.9 percent from the third quarter of 2002.
LCD sales contributed to the higher level of growth in the monitor market during the fourth quarter of last year, according to IDC analyst Imraan Ali. He attributed this to steady price cuts and greater visibility through mass merchant channels.
The CRT (cathode ray tube) market fell five percent in the fourth quarter compared to the previous one, as users demanded smaller, slim-line monitors that require LCD technology. CRT prices continue to decline, falling 6.6 percent from the third quarter.
LG Electronics grabbed the most market-share in the fourth quarter, claiming 18.3 percent of the branded market. Mitsubishi claimed 14.8 percent of market-share, and Samsung 14.5 percent market-share in the fourth quarter. They were followed by Philips (13.3 percent) and BenQ (8.3 percent).
LG claimed the lion's share of the branded CRT market with 19.8 percent, and Samsung continues to hold the top spot in the branded LCD market at 15.4 percent.
