Several Taiwan computer makers are gearing up to mass produce all-in- one desktop PCs with built-in liquid crystal display screens, with demand expected to soar next year as prices drop. Notebook makers Mitac International Corp, Quanta Computer Inc, Tatung Co and Universal Scientific Industrial Co Ltd, are all shopping around for OEM orders in the belief that once the current shortage of TFT-LCD panels abates, with the large amount of new capacity coming on line over the next 12 months, the price of a desktop with built-in LCD screen will drop from more than $2,000 at present to less than $1,500. According to a report in the Commercial Times, industry statistics show demand for desktop computers with LCD screens is likely to hit 1.5 million units in 1999, up more than 30% from 1998. Of these about 300,000 units will be all-in-one units.
