LG launches new range of LCD monitors

This new line up is geared towards today's diverse consumers, from die-hard gamers to business professionals.

Globally, LG took the second place in the monitor market with a 15 per cent market share last year. Out of the estimated market size of 1.08 million sets for LCD monitors in the Middle East, LG aims to capture 54 per cent market share and sell 586,000 units in the region in 2005. LG sold 212,000 units in the region in 2004 with Iran accounting for sales of 87,000 units. The company also registered turnover of 31,000 units in UAE, 20,000 units in Saudi Arabia and 29,000 units in Jordan.

'LCD monitors are thin, sleek, low in power consumption, and definitely representative of where the future is heading. The demand for liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors is growing exponentially in the Middle East, up from 426,000 units in 2003 to 681,000 units in 2004. Industry analysts credit LCD monitors' improved performance and sharper brightness and contrast levels as the key reasons for their strong performance. Prices for liquid crystal display monitors have fallen substantially due to oversupply and, according to IDC Asia Pacific, further price drops are possible. IDC also predicts that demand for LCD monitors is likely to surpass traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors by 2008. As the new generation of slim, stylish space-saving LCD monitors hit the market, and the average price stabilises, we anticipate rapidly accelerating sales for our LCD monitors,' said C H Lee, President, LG Electronics Gulf FZE.

The latest LG offerings deliver superb picture quality, ideal for designers, architects, engineers and gaming enthusiasts. The line up includes Flatron monitors like models L1780Q and L1980Q, arguably the slimmest flat-screens in their class. Mounted on a double-hinged arm, the monitors can easily be bent and rotated into practically any position, or be set either horizontally or vertically. Software automatically reorients the screen's content as needed. These monitors have active-matrix TFT (thin film transistor) screens with a native resolution of 1,280 by 1,024, and can be viewed from a 160-degree viewing angle without sacrificing image quality.

LG's strategy for monitors is to have the widest range across a number of screen sizes of any brand in the market. The company can develop a wide range of LCD screens because it is the world's largest producer of LCD panels. 'Our range gives customers the chance to choose a monitor they need, depending on what exactly they want the screen to achieve,' added Lee.

The safety aspect of LCD monitors is also a huge attraction for consumers as these monitors, unlike CRT monitors, emit no radiation and therefore pose no health risks. Many distributors and systems integrators are now bundling LCD monitors with their branded and non-branded PCs.

The new 17 and 19-inch LG monitors, that fit into the decor of a home or stylish office, are capable of ultra fast response times of eight milliseconds, a feature aimed at winning video gamers away from cathode-ray tubes, which have generally rendered game graphics faster than LCD screens.

Other stylistic new models include the L1750S, a standard model replacing the current monitor model, L1740B a premium business model, L1780U a premium high-end model, and the stylish Flatron 1740P, a wave shaped monitor that available in 17, 19, 20 and 23 inches. All models are installed with LG's proprietary picture-enhancing chip, Flatron f-Engine, the world's first picture enhancing chip for LCD monitors.

'LG has been recognised as a world leader in high-performance LCD technology and development. Our Flatron L1730S won the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show Top Innovation Award in the computer monitor category. This year, we are promoting the L1780Q and L1740P as premium models to strengthen our position in the monitor industry,' added Lee.

All LG LCD monitors meet low emission compliance standards are PC and Mac compatible.