Sales of slim liquid-crystal-display (LCD) computer monitors in Asia could soon out-strip those of cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitors according to a new report.

International Data Corp (IDC) reported that PC monitor sales in the Asia/Pacific area (excluding Japan) totaled 18.4 million units in the first half of 2005, including surprisingly high sales figures in lesser-developed regions such as India and Indonesia.

As people increasingly choose to upgrade their computers for better models, this figure represents a significant gain in sales of 14.4 per cent from the same period last year.

"Despite vendors facing spot shortages of mainstream LCD panels, overall LCD supply across the region is expected to ramp up and exceed demand from (the fourth quarter of 2005) onwards," said IDC's regional senior analyst for personal systems research, Reuben Tan.

"The oversupply may exist until the next major round of price cuts for large screen LCD monitors, which will in turn create accelerated uptake."

Mr Tan also pointed out that although sales of CRT are expected to decline by 4.3 per cent between now and 2009, the growth in LCD technology was expected to be "more than sufficient" to cover the deficit.


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