LG shifts focus to strong 3D PC lineup

By Kim Yoo-chul

Staff reporter

LG Electronics is boosting its strength in three dimensional (3D) computers by releasing a range of notebooks, PCs and monitors, a senior company executive said Monday.

There has been strong demand for 3D-related products being led by television, with Samsung Electronics and LG hoping to create a new market.

"In the 3D PC-related market, LG can do better than our rival. With a better product lineup, LG also aims to expand its footprint in the lucrative segment," said Park Hyung-bong, LG’s mobile communications PC business team leader, in a press conference held at Seoul Square.

Park said LG will drive its 3D PC-related businesses with its increasing 3D-related content and the continued consumer demand.

Samsung Electronics is said to be having a hard time in procuring 15.6-inch 3D panels for computers. A Samsung spokesman declined to comment.

Analysts say it may prove to be difficult for Samsung, which controls some 50 percent of the local PC market, to release its 3D PCs until the end of the fourth quarter of 2010.

LG released four 3D PC models including two notebooks priced at between 1.6 million won and 1.9 million won. Park said the suggested retail price is some 20 percent higher than the conventional 2D products.

"3D PCs could be used for educational and gaming purposes. We are positive over a faster proliferation of the devices," the executive said.

Park said LG is planning to introduce 3D notebooks to South America, the Middle East and Africa and to release 3D monitors in Europe and Russia within this month.

"LG has revised up its target sales for 3D notebook PCs by 30 percent next year as we are positive over the steady demand," Park said.

Park said LG expects the global sales of 3D notebook computers to increase five-fold by 2011 to reach 1.1 million and to surge to 13.8 million by 2015.

The 3D notebooks will surpass the traditional 2D notebooks after the unit price falls under 1 million won, industry watchers forecast.

Separately, LG has a plan to introduce a tablet-style PC that runs on Google's Android operating system from the fourth quarter of 2010.

Driven by the success of the blockbuster movie ``Avatar,’’ appetite for 3D visual programs has been boosted.