COMDEX - LCDs grow in size, shrink in price

LCD monitors are inching upwards in size. Several vendors at Comdex in Las Vegas this week added to their lines with new models in the 19-inch range and beyond.

Prices for these supersized models are coming down, too. Once unavailable for under US$1000, name-brand 19-inch models are now launching at less than $900. However, prices remain significantly higher for the 20-plus-inch screens, especially in the increasingly common wide-aspect-ratio 16-by-9 format.

Samsung Electronics , for example, introduced two 19-inch SyncMaster models, both of which are expected to retail for $899. The 193P is a conventional stand-alone 1280-by-1024-resolution monitor, and is due in December. The 192MP comes with a detachable TV tuner and speakers, has 1280 by 1024 resolution, and should arrive in January.

Also in January, Samsung plans to introduce a 24-inch, wide-aspect-ratio model, the SyncMaster 243T. It will have a resolution of 1920 by 1200 and a $2399 price tag.

Targeting the digital signage market, Samsung has a 32-inch LCD monitor, the 323T, on tap for December. It will go for $3999.

More to Come

Hewlett-Packard , meanwhile, showed off a pair of new LCD monitors.

The company plans to introduce in February a 23-inch wide-aspect-ratio model, the 2335, priced at $1699. A 20-inch LCD, the 2035, is scheduled to ship in January. That model is a refresh of HP's existing model 2020, released last year.

NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display of America also is expanding its LCD lineup. The 20-inch NEC MultiSync LCD 2080UX+ will be available in January for $1499. Also expected in January is the 21-inch LCD2180UX, which will list for $1549. Both offer 1600-by-1200 resolution.

ViewSonic 's new DigitalMedia VG series of LCD monitors with built-in speakers includes the 19.1-inch VG910, due in December priced at $749. The VG910 features 1280-by-1024 resolution and is available with either silver or black bezels.