The Big Three: AOC 7ELR, 7FSLK, and 9KLR “Worth a Second Look”
CRN Proves the Staying Power—and Affordability—of CRT Displays

San Francisco, December 2, 2002: In a recent CRN Test Center study, AOC Monitors’ cathode ray tube (CRT) technology—the same “picture tube” behind television screens—proved that traditional computer displays are here to stay.

The Test Center reviewed three AOC monitors: two 17-inch models (the 7ELR and the 7FSLK) and a popular 19-inch model (the 9KLR). All three models were praised for consistent viewing at non-native resolutions and bright on-screen imagery—two significant advantages over their LCD counterparts.

For solution providers and resellers who purchase or integrate systems, high-end displays don’t have to mean sticker shock. According to CRN, “AOC monitors also have incredibly low price tags, so it's easy to sell entry-level systems that include impressive displays.” For example, reviewers were able to find the 9KLR, AOC’s 19-inch flat-face CRT, for a modest $125 on the web.

“CRT displays offer advantages beyond their cheaper price tag,” stated the review. “For one thing... CRT-generated images look good no matter what their resolution. And for users that [sic] want a larger display but don't need to view multiple windows at once, a large CRT-based monitor is preferable to a flat-panel display.”

CRN’s bottom line: “Because CRT-based monitors are so inexpensive, they still come bundled with most computer systems sold today. And CRT displays offer advantages beyond their cheaper price tag.”

“Solution providers have often told us they rely on AOC CRTs for their quality and price,” said Tak Shimizu, VP of Sales and Marketing for AOC. “We know that the CRT market is still alive and well. And we’ll continue to provide quality CRTs for our customers.”

The AOC 7ELR
CRN identified the AOC 7ELR as a smart product choice for systems vendors. According to the review, “The AOC 7ELR... is a 17-inch unit with a maximum resolution of 1,280 x 1,024. It produces a good image and includes speakers, so that’s one less peripheral for systems builders to bundle. The best thing about the 7ELR, however, is that it sells for as little as $99.”

The AOC 7F-SLK
When it came to the AOC 7F-SLK, CRN reviewers were not hesitant to recommend the display’s flat-face precision. “Customers looking for [a] better 17-inch display might consider the AOC 7F-SLK. Similar in feature set to the 7ELR, this monitor has a flat-face CRT and sells for around $140.”

The AOC 9KLR
CRN reviewers also concluded that customers “will like the AOC 9KLR. This 19-inch flat-face CRT display has a maximum resolution of 1,600 x 1,200, and Test Center engineers found it on sale over the Internet for just $125.”

About CRN
CRN is the nation’s leading trade newsweekly that provides timely industry news and analysis for solution providers, integrators and e-businesses building technology solutions. It is the most trusted source of news for 117,500 channel professionals. A media leader in the high-tech industry, CRN provides the most comprehensive suite of online resources: http://www.crn.com, the site where industry news breaks first; CRN Direct, a daily newsletter that brings personalized news to solution providers’ desktops; and CRN Broadcast News, a daily news broadcast covering the solution provider channel and the industry.

About AOC Monitors
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, AOC Monitors have earned numerous awards and distinctions for their price-to-performance ratio, including “Editor’s Choice Award” from PCSTATS.com and three consecutive “Top 10” awards from PC World. In its Annual Report Card Survey of solution providers, VAR Business recently ranked AOC at second place overall in the display technology category, as well as first place in the categories of compatibility/ease of integration, ease of doing business, and overall profitability.

The AOC brand provides access to superior distribution channels serving more than 82 ports worldwide, in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. AOC monitors are produced by TPV Technology Limited (TPV), which has been recognized with International Standards Organization 9001 and 14001 accreditations. In 2002, TPV was ranked the second-largest manufacturer of computer monitors in the world*. The company is expected to maintain this standing and to be ranked 4th in LCD production worldwide** in 2003.

* based on sales data to date
** based on projected sales

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