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magazine
28
Displays
As we enter the post-PC age, what hope
is there for monitor manufacturers
whose fortunes are so closely linked
to PC sales? To find out,
Business
Info
spoke to Mark Lufkin, managing
director of ViewSonic Europe.
He confirmed that sales of monitors
have tracked declining sales of computers
as consumers switch to handheld devices,
such as tablets and smartphones, and
store data and documents in the cloud.
However, he points out that cloud
computing and greater mobility also
present opportunities that Viewsonic is
addressing with new types of device.
Good examples are the company’s
Android-based smart displays that can
be used to access the internet and cloud
services without a computer; and screens
with MHL (Mobile High Speed Link)
technology that allows users to display
smartphone/tablet content, including
video, cloud apps, documents and
presentations on a larger display.
In this instance, “the role of the
screen is to become a secondary screen
for a mobile device that is larger, has a
higher resolution and better colours,”
Lufkin explains.
In addition, there are still areas of the
traditional computer monitor market
that are growing – “No one expects
businesses to replace all their desktop
PCs: they are more likely to replace
notebooks with tablets so there are still
opportunities for growth,” says Lufkin.
Sales of larger monitors are rising,
with a clear trend to 24/27in screens and
2560 x 1440 resolutions that allow users
to see two documents side-by-side and
spreadsheets in their entirety.
Lufkin says the ability to view a
large document without scrolling, from
spreadsheets to CAD/CAM drawings, is
why many choose a larger screen rather
than the sometimes cheaper option of
connecting two smaller monitors that
can display different applications or
documents at the same time.
At the same time,Windows 8 is
driving shipments of touch-sensitive
displays, up 20.9% in Q4, 2012. Growth
is not limited to computer monitors
but extends to large format displays
(LFDs) used for public information
purposes, digital signage and internal
communications, as well as alternatives
to projectors or whiteboards in small
meeting rooms.
Interactivity is a big driver of LFDs
(and projectors), particularly in education
where 80% of UK classrooms have
interactive displays. It is increasingly
popular in the business market, too, as it
provides a more engaging way to present
and includes useful features like digital
whiteboard applications and the ability
to save notes to a PC.
Similar trends can be observed with
projectors. The overall market is declining
inWestern Europe but there are areas of
growth including interactivity and sales
of high definition 1080P andWXGA
devices. The other big thing is wireless.
As well as being neater, wireless
connectivity makes it easier for audience
members, including smartphone/tablet
users, to collaborate and contribute to
meetings.
Viewsonic’s range of monitors and
displays reflects these developing trends
by including features that make it
easier for people to share information
and contribute to meetings regardless
of whether they have a desktop PC,
notebook, tablet, smartphone or just a
removable USB stick.
Bridging the gap
New monitors from display manufacturer Viewsonic
meet the needs of the post-PC world with built-in
computers and smartphone connectivity.
Intelligence built-in.
Viewsonic
Smart Displays have been specially
designed for the post-PC era.With
Android built-in, you don’t need a PC to
surf the web or access cloud services
such as Gmail, Skype, Dropbox, Twitter
and Facebook. All can be done from the display itself.
For kiosk, hospitality and retail applications, Viewsonic
offers the VSD220/241 with an nVIDIA Tegra 33
processor, Android JellyBean operating system, 2MP
webcam and microphone.
Smart monitors.
If you prefer, you can use a smart
display as a Full HD computer monitor. Touchscreen
capabilities make the 22in TD2220 and 24in TD2420
perfect partners for a PC runningWindows 8. Or use
one as a thin client by installing a Citrix receiver.With
a hardened 7H level scratch resistant surface, the 24in
TD2420 LED display is ideal for high traffic areas in
healthcare, education and retail. Advanced dual point
optical touch technology allows operation by finger,
gloved hand or the supplied stylus, which even has its
own bezel storage slot.
Smartphone connectivity.
The VX2770 is the perfect
display for smartphone/tablet users. MHL 2.0 transfer
technology lets you view and share video content,
images and documents on a larger screen without the
need for a PC. All you have to do is connect an MHL
adapter to link the display to a smart phone, tablet,
notebook PC or HDMI-enabled camera/camcorder.
Every tap, pinch and swipe made on the mobile
device is synchronised and displayed on the 27in
Full HD frameless display. MHL will even charge
the device so you can game, watch videos or play
music to your heart’s content without worrying
about battery life.