In the third quarter of 2011 sales of monitor sets of 21.5″ and above went past the volume of smaller sets for the first time. Larger sizes now represent nearly two thirds of the value of the market, according to European monitor research specialist, Meko.
The trend for wide panels continued in Q3 and the volume of 17″ and 19″ 1280 x 1024 monitors dropped to just 13% of the market, down from 17% a year ago. 23″ and 24″ set sales reached their highest share to date at 10%.
Although the desktop monitor market grew solidly quarter on quarter (QoQ) between Q2 of 2011 and Q3, by 13.6%, following the traditional seasonal trend, it was still down by 3.7% year on year (YoY), for the fifth consecutive quarter. Commercial sales were the main driver and the segment remains at 60% of the market by volume.
LED-backlit monitor sales are still on track for around 55% penetration for the year as a whole.
Looking at brands, most, aside from LG, had a good quarter. Although LG retained its second place, to Samsung, it dropped on a quarterly basis. Fujitsu, on the other hand, had a great quarter while Philips continued its recovery – a good omen for the new TV joint venture between TPV and Philips.
Regionally, Russia was the biggest region, with 18% of the volume but only 15% of value, where Germany led the way with 20%.
Meko Managing Director and monitor industry veteran, Bob Raikes, said “There are some really good looking monitors in the larger sizes now. For example, the 27″ 2560 x 1440 16:9 models are a real advance on what has been available for the last few years. The size is probably the first for the desktop where 16:9 format really makes any sense!”
