In India, the CRT monitor may still be miles ahead of the LCD monitor in terms of sales volumes. However, the exchange scheme offer by IBM for its LCD monitors, could be seen as the latest pointer that vendors are quite keyed up to drive volumes in this category.
p____p After all, the price is dropping quite fast in this category, which was perhaps the only palpable difference in the favor of the CRT monitor. Worldwide, the shift is expected in favor of the sales of LCD monitors.
p____p In March this year, IDC had predicted that the global sales of these monitors would be $ 20 billion this year. This is expected to be higher than that of CRT monitors, marking the first time ever that LCD screen monitors would have beat CRT monitors in sales volumes.
p____p So, along with the notebook, the LCD monitor is bound to be moving off the shelves faster this year. The dominance of the CRT monitors could be seriously threatened in the next year or so. And unlike the CRT monitor, where the mass-market model graduated from 14 to 15 and the 17 inch categories, the LCD monitors could straightaway be mass adopted with the 15, 17 and 19 inch models.
p____p Now, call centers and other customer service centers have been among the most significant buyers but it could soon be a matter of time, as home users and others start thinking of the LCD alternative for their homes. However, for that prices may still have to fall a bit further. Local manufacturing, such as the LG plan may help prices fall further.
p____p In India, Philips India seems quite focused on driving its LCD volumes this year. The entry of a new player, Chemoplast with a price as low as Rs. 19,000 could again favor the growth of this segment. 15 inch models from other key vendors like LG, Sharp, Samsung are hovering around the Rs 20,000 plus range. Acer has its 15 inch model around Rs. 20,000.
p____p It does not however mean that the gathering momentum for LCD monitors will decimate the CRT market. The market could accomodate both alternative technolgies as co-existing, according to customer preferences and requirements.