There is an increasing move towards liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors as South African organisations realise the benefits of lower total cost of ownership, and a quicker return on investment associated with this technology, an industry player says.
There has been a definite shift away from cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors, as businesses strive to achieve greater energy efficiency and other cost-savings within the office environment, says Bruce Byrne, visual communication specialist at Drive Control Corporation.
However, while lower prices have been driving the market in recent months, Byrne notes, the perception still exists that LCD monitors are costly, hindering a bigger uptake of this technology.
The average cost of a 19-inch LCD monitor is between R1 900 and R2 500, while an equivalent CRT monitor retails for an average price of about R700, Byrne states.
"If you take everything into account in an office environment - metreage, electricity and air-conditioning costs - LCD monitors are by far more cost-effective," he says. "The difference in power consumption between an LCD monitor and a CRT monitor is massive."
"Next year should be an exciting year for LCD, as CRT technology is dead and no one is investing in it. For the time being, CRT prices are expected to remain stable, specifically in third world markets, where manufacturers may try to sweat their factories," Byrne comments.
LCD monitor prices are also stable at the moment, but there is talk of a drastic oversupply in the near future, which would drive down the cost of 19-inch LCD monitors, explains Byrne.
Globally, the move towards LCD technology is also clearly evident, as LCD monitor sales have already overtaken CRT sales in the Asia Pacific region.
"We often see organisations move to LCD monitors following the acquisition of another company, as more people have to be fitted into the same office space. As modern desk sizes come down, so companies are moving away from CRT monitors that take up an entire desk," Byrne says.
He expects 17-inch LCD monitors - which are equivalent to 19-inch CRT monitors in screen area - to become the standard for small and medium enterprises, which are typically seeking ways to lower operating costs.
"It is also true that the total cost of ownership drops with LCD technology over time, while it rises with CRT monitors. A US study has also revealed that productivity can increase by up to 20% with the use of LCD monitors, which cause less eye-fatigue," says Byrne.
Share
