Global PC Monitor Market Sees Declining Shipments in Q1

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The total worldwide PC monitor market shipped more than 29 million units in the first quarter of 2015 (1Q15), a decrease of -12.0% compared to 1Q14 and 1.5% less than forecast, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker.

"Although there were a few bright spots – Japan experienced a gain of 2.0% over the previous quarter after four consecutive quarters of decline – IDC expects the trend of declining PC monitor shipments to continue for the near term," said Phuong Hang, Director, Worldwide Trackers at IDC. "Some improvement may come later in the forecast as new product campaigns spark a modest recovery in the consumer segment, aided by contributions from the SMB and SOHO segments."

IDC expects a year-over-year decline of -3.4% in worldwide shipments to 28.8 million units in the second quarter of 2015. IDC anticipates around 120 million PC monitor units will be shipped for full year 2015. By 2019, worldwide shipments are expected to be less than 104 million units.

Technology Highlights

• LED backlight technology continues to dominate the market with 98.5% market share in 1Q15.
• Screen size of 21.5-inches wide has held the largest worldwide share for the last ten quarters, and saw a 23.8% share increase in 1Q15.
• Monitors with TV tuners are expected to grow 10.9% year over year to 6.4% market share in 2016, up from 5.4% in 2015, led by LG and Samsung with a combined market share of 96.4% in this category.

Vendor Highlights

• Dell – Dell remained the number 1 vendor in 1Q15 with worldwide market share of 15.8% on shipments of over 4.6 million units. The vendor enjoyed year-over-year growth in Canada and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region.
• Samsung – Samsung maintained its number 2 position despite a year-over-year decline of -13.3% to 3.7 million units shipped. The vendor recorded year-over-year growth in Canada and Western Europe.
• HP – HP shipped nearly 3.4 million units, resulting in 11.5% share in 1Q15. Year-over-year growth in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) and Latin America were not enough to offset the vendor's overall decline of -13.0% year over year.
• LG –LG increased its ranking to number 4 with nearly 2.9 million units shipped. The vendor witnessed year-over-year gains in Canada.
• Lenovo – Lenovo rounded out the Top 5 in 1Q15 with 9.1% market share in the worldwide PC monitor market. The vendor logged huge year-over-year gains in Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, and Western Europe.

In addition to the table above, an interactive graphic comparing the worldwide market share for the top 5 PC monitor vendors in 1Q14 and 1Q15 is available here. Instructions on how to embed this graphic into online news articles and social media can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad. The IDC Tracker Chart app is also available for Android Phones and Android Tablets.

About IDC 

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. To learn more about IDC, please click here.