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Next Generation 15-inch LCDs: 15.6 inches and 16 x 9

by , 4:45 PM EDT, May 28th, 2008

LCD panel makers are pushing for a slight adjustment to the 15-inch class LCD used in notebook computers. Instead of 15.4 inches and 16 x 10, the new panels scheduled for late Q2 or early Q3 will be 15.6 inches and 16 x 9, according to DigiTimes on Wednesday.

The primary advantage is the geometry and costs of the LCD displays which are cut from larger fabricated panels. The 16 x 9 aspect ratio is also the same aspect ratio as HDTV. The disadvantage for customers will be slightly fewer pixels.

To date, all of Apple's notebook computer and stand alone displays have used the 16 x 10 aspect ratio which affords some extra space above or below an HDTV image. However, manufacturing efficiencies sometimes dictate a change in geometry, and those decisions get passed on to the customers.

DigiTimes reported that the cost of the new displays will drop from about US$100 for the old 15.4-inch to about $85.

The timing might be favorable for Apple. Intel has announced that a glitch in their production process for the new Centrino will cause a slip until August. Apple could be planning to use both the new displays and CPUs in a new MacBook design, which analyst Gene Munster has predicted for a possible WWDC or Summer announcement.

The new Centrino, code named "Montevina," supports the WiMax technology.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:vasic Posts: 278 Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Subject: even less vertical space...

It's nice that 16x9 movies will now be able to fill the screen completely. However, when I browse news articles online, or work with a long text document, I appreciate every milimetre of vertical screen space (my dock is on the right side of my screen). With screens getting ever so narrow, we'll now have even fewer vertical pixels, which will bring even more scrolling up and down.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

I was about to diagree as the size difference is so litlle but then I did the calculations. Looks like we'll lose a half inch in height - or 36 pixels min at 72 dpi ( more at newer resolutions).

I agree. Vertical space is at a premium. I can live with a black border on my movies.

Close Name:algr Posts: 296 Joined: 07 Aug 2003
Subject:

Really? Since most documents scroll vertically easily, I would have thought that horizontal screen space was more valuable. It's awful when you have to scroll horizontally in a web browser - it means it goes back and forth EVERY LINE. Usually this means a badly designed web page.

Many cheap HDTV sets use the laptop resolutions and 16x10 aspect ratio. Some of them can't show HD at quite the right shape - everything gets squeezed slightly. Others crop the sides. It is weird seeing a 1440x900 pixel set advertised as "720p".

What will the new screen resolution be? If they change the DPI too, it could be anything.

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