Dell Is Again at Top in Worldwide Monitor Shipment Rankings for 2014, TrendForce Reports

Due to shortages of panels in the mainstream size categories and rising panel prices, the worldwide LCD monitor shipments in 2014 totaled 133.6 million units (AIO products excluded), a year-on-year decline of 6.6%, according to WitsView, a research division of TrendForce. 

“In some parts of the commercial market, monitors are bundled with desktops, so they are able to withstand the pressure from the rising panel prices,” said Anita Wang, Research Manager for WitsView. “Vendors that mainly catered to the commercial market therefore performed better in 2014’s overall shipments,” Wang added. Although the second half of 2014 was a peak period for the consumer market, some vendors could not fulfill orders because of panel shortages. This awkward situation also deterred demands from growing in the consumer markets. 

Dell, HP, and Lenovo gained market shares while ASUS became the only Taiwanese brand to buck the declining trend 

Dell was victorious in the battle over the leadership of the commercial monitor market. The end of support for Windows XP generated a wave of replacement demand for commercial desktops, further provided a momentum for growth in monitor shipments. In 2014, Dell occupied the top spot with 15.8% of the market share, a significant 2% increase compared to 2013. 

Monitor brand AOC/Philips, which is owned by TPV, reaped its rewards for efforts in China’s consumer market and Internet cafés. AOC/Philips was the runner-up in the 2014 shipment rankings, shadowing Dell with 14.3% of the market share. 

Though Samsung has the honor of being the leader of the global monitor market for four consecutive years (2009-2012), its market share began to contract in 2013 as it shifted towards a more profit-driven strategy. Samsung saw its market share reduced to 11.5% in 2013 and 11.6% in 2014, falling down to number three in worldwide shipments. HP, which enjoyed steady demands from the commercial market, ranked fourth with 10.9% of the market share. 

Lenovo was also benefitted from the positive commercial market and was able to succeed in the fourth quarter shipment rush. It managed to pushed aside LGE and moved into fifth place in the 2014 worldwide shipment rankings, with 9.7% of the market share. 

Among Taiwanese monitor vendors, ASUS had an extraordinary year based on its stage-by-stage planning. It proactively developed the niche market, continued launching high-end models, and maintained a successful panel purchasing strategy. Hence, it was able to have positive growth in shipments in the generally weak market during 2014.