The healthy demand for entry-level LCDs has hugely contributed to the steady growth of the monitor market in the region, according to the IDC Asia/Pacific Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker report.

Findings from the index indicated a total of 29.5 million units being sold for the first half of the year. This is an increase of 4.8 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year, and a 7.6 per cent increase over the second half of 2008.

The increasingly affordable 16:9 ratio units is the reason why the entry-level LCDs are popular, added the report. "Most countries across APEJ (Asia Pacific excluding Japan) were still under macroeconomic pressures in the first half of the year and that inhibited consumer and commercial spending," said Reuben Tan, senior manager of IDC Asia Pacific's personal systems group.

"Fortunately, the migration to 16:9 aspect ratio was swift, and demand has proven similarly strong, which has helped to provide some relief to the market. Despite the region still suffering from panel shortages, a 5.9 per cent growth over the first half of 2009, and a 14 per cent year-on-year growth is still expected for the second half of 2009."

Top vendors

The top six vendors for the period were Samsung, Lenovo, AOC, LG, HP, and Acer, according to the report. They captured around 62.2 per cent of overall PC monitor sales, a marginal increase from 61.0 per cent in the second half of 2008.

According to IDC's latest five-year forecast, the 18.5 inch (47 cm) is expected to be the mainstream size for India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand until 2013, while 21.5 inch (55 cm)will be the mainstream size in markets such as China, Australia and Taiwan.

"Differentiation continues to be the key for monitor vendors to remain competitive," added Tan. "Product innovation such as 3D-enabled monitors, LED backlights, and network-enablement will help stimulate interest for upgrades. Moreover, the introduction of Windows 7 is also expected to accelerate touch-enabled monitors moving forward."