Demand for LCD monitors in Taiwan has not been as strong as expected so far in December, as the release of Microsoft's Vista home addition will not hit the market until January, according to Taiwan-based monitor makers.
Although Microsoft launched its Vista versions for business use at the end of November, replacement demand for PCs will not surface until the second quarter of 2007, and the home addition of the operating system is not scheduled to be introduced in Taiwan until the end of January, the makers indicated.
Nevertheless, sales for 19- and 22-inch widescreen models significantly increased this month, with Chimei-branded monitors seeing 60% of its overall LCD monitor shipments in Taiwan coming from the widescreen segment in December. In addition, demand for 19-inch models is rising, as makers such as Taiwan-based distributors Genuine and Synnex Technology International tend to bundle 19-inch standard monitors for PC sales, sources said.
ViewSonic recently indicated that 19-inch standard and widescreen models will account for 48% of the Taiwan LCD monitor market in the fourth quarter thanks to a continued price drops. The average selling price (ASP) for 19-inch standard models will reach NT$6,900 in the period, with prices for 19-inch widescreen monitors will reach NT$7,900, the maker noted.
Article translated by Carrie Yu and edited by Michael McManus
