A monitor apparatus includes a display panel housed in a housed position, a driving section, a detecting section, and a controlling section. The driving section includes a gear transmission mechanism for driving the display panel and causes the display panel to perform a first operation in which the display panel is moved from the housed position to an upright position via a horizontal position and a second operation in which the display panel is lowered from the upright position and is drawn into the housed position via the horizontal position. The detecting section detects when an external force is applied to the display panel placed in the upright position. When the detecting section detects that an external force is applied, the controlling section causes the driving section to drive the display panel in a direction in which the external force was applied.