RESULTS - Context
Market research firm Context has compiled the results of the PC Dealer/Context questionnaire on monitor sales.
Do you buy your monitors as part of a hardware bundle or the PC Dealer/Context questionnaire on monitor sales. separately?
As part of a hardware bundle - 48%
Separately - 49%
Don't know - 3%
In the channel, the majority of distributors offer bundled deals. The large proportion of separate monitor purchases shows that the 'no-name' PC market - where dealers assemble PCs to order for clients - is extremely active.
If you buy your monitors separately, do you purchase them from a distributor or directly from the manufacturer?
It is always heartening when research bears out what is already an accepted notion. Standalone monitor sales are dominated by distributors in an area where the direct sell has virtually no place.
Which of the following points are most influential in your monitor sales?
AVERAGE SCORE - (OUT OF 5)
Price - 3.6
Resolution - 2.8
Ergonomic standards - 2.0
Multimedia features - 1.90
Price seems to be the most important factor for customers when purchasing a monitor, closely followed by resolution. Ergonomic standards and multimedia features seem to be of equal importance when it comes to choosing a monitor.
It is also interesting to note that brand name and good warranty terms were also mentioned as influencing customers' purchases.
Which of the following monitor sizes is most frequently requested by customers?
According to the Context panel, the majority of resellers said the 15in monitor is their customers' most popular choice, confirming that this monitor is now the entry-level size for both home and office use. In second place, resellers found customers are willing to spend a little extra for a 17in screen. It is interesting to note that although the 14in monitor size was not listed in the questionnaire and is in fact no longer offered by most manufacturers, 16 per cent of dealers said it is still requested by customers. A minute number of dealers said the 21in screen is the most frequently requested, most likely for professional purposes. Over the next year, it will be interesting to track the rise of 17in monitors as prices fall further in this extremely competitive market.
What percentage of your overall monitor sales include LCDs?
When asked what percentage of monitor sales included LCD flat panels, the overall majority of the PC Dealer/Context panel said up to a quarter of monitor sales came with this display. This is due to the fact that such products have only recently entered the market and, although most display manufacturers are starting to include them in their product range, requests are limited.
However, compared with a year ago, when LCD flat panel displays were an extreme rarity, this market is now showing signs of expanding as prices begin to come down.