Flat-panel monitor prices have begun to to drop after nearly a year of rising prices, according to c|net. The price drop is due to an excess inventory of flat-panel monitors and their components. Shortages and retail price increases on flat panels caused low demand this past year, allowing for inventory to build up. Consumers have yet to see the benefits of the component reductions, but retail prices on finished monitors will decrease steadily as the year goes on, analysts said.