Report: Asustek wins bid to produce widescreen iBook
Asustek Computer recently outbid Quanta Computer to secure orders from Apple Computer for a 14.1-inch widescreen iBook model, according to a report in China\'s Economic Daily News.
Apple\'s current offerings include both a 12.1- and 14.1-inch iBook G4 laptop, but neither features a widescreen display. The smallest profile Apple laptop to sport a widescreen is its 15.2-inch PowerBook G4.
The overseas report also cites unnamed sources in saying Asustek also recently secured orders for the 15.4-inch iBook, which will be launched in 2006.
The reliability of the report is unknown and Asustek declined to comment, stating it has non-disclosure agreements with all of its OEM customers.
According to the report, last year Asustek shipped more than one million notebooks to Apple, including 12.1-inch iBooks and 12.1-inch PowerBooks.
Asustek is also believed to be one of two Taiwanese manufacturers contracted by Apple to produce its iPod shuffle digital music player.
Meanwhile, Quanta retains contracts to produce Apple\'s iMac G5, Xserve G5, and certain PowerBook G4 models.