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Monday, May 07, 2007, 10:00 am
Apple moves to certify LED-backlit panels for 13-inch MacBooks
Apple Inc.'s consumer line of 13-inch MacBook notebooks may join its 15-inch MacBook Pro line in receiving the LED-backlit display treatment this year, according to reports.Citing "sources in the industry," DigiTimes reports that the Mac maker has agreed to purchase components from AU Optronics (AUO), Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), Coretronic and Kenmos Technology.
Both AUO and CMO are said to be having their samples of 13.3- and 15.4-inch panels certified by Apple, with shipments to officially commence in the second or third quarter of 2007.
AppleInsider had previously reported that the 15-inch MacBook Pro was the first notebook elected by the Cupertino-based Apple to transition to the new type of display, with the 13-inch and 17-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro models under consideration for the same move.
Meanwhile, backlight unit (BLU) makers Coretronic and Kenmos are also sending samples to be incorporated in the panels, with official shipments to also kick off around a similar period.
According to DigiTimes, component makers indicated Apple plans to use the LED V-cut light-guide panel technology from Japan's Stanley Electric, which is a technology authorizer and major shareholder of Taiwan's Kenmos.
"Therefore, CMO has decided to adopt Kenmos' LED BLUs for the panels it will ship to Apple," the report states.
In an open letter to customers and investors last week on Apple's environmental strategy, chief executive Steve Jobs openly confirmed that the first Macs with LED-backlit displays would begin shipping this year as part of a broader move to eliminate the use of mercury from the company's products.
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Previous Comments View All
I wonder when we'll see this new models released. I hope it's sooner rather than later. Perhaps some details or even a model or two will emerge at WWDC.
I wonder how much energy savings and what extended battery life might be expected? will the life of the LED backlight be much longer then existing technolgy? will the color of the light be as good or better than existing 'true white' screen color. will contrast be as good or better? Finally, i assume there will be less heat associated with LED lighting - but my screen isn't at all warm so it seems that may not be any sort of advantage. where can i read up on this new use of LED technology?
Maybe 50,000 hours of life.
A bit more battery life, nothing radical though.
The color and contrast can be as good or better depending on the product used.
Heat isn't a problem.
http://www.macworld.com/2007/05/firs...ight/index.php
I wonder when we'll see this new models released. I hope it's sooner rather than later. Perhaps some details or even a model or two will emerge at WWDC.
As they are just now certifying product, WWDC is too soon to see a released product. A sample? Maybe.
Good - I just hope they don't rush this in the name of PC bull. If they can give a better option w/o the Hg; then great. However, if the best option takes some "bad" element or compound, then so be it - and only remove it when a better option is found.
Maybe 50,000 hours of life.
A bit more battery life, nothing radical though.
The color and contrast can be as good or better depending on the product used.
Heat isn't a problem.
http://www.macworld.com/2007/05/firs...ight/index.php
so the advantage is..? cost? life? quality of light? Greener? what is the advantage here?
so the advantage is..? cost? life? quality of light? Greener? what is the advantage here?
The advantage is all of these. Old style backlights are flourescent lights which contain mercury. LED's are cooler, more efficient and don't use hazardous substances. Also, there is no 'flicker' as some are sensitive to florescent backlight displays.
I currently have a 12 inch Lenovo x60s which uses LED. It's has a pretty good image.
Next time your out driving at night look at the tail lamps of the tractor trailers. The ones that look like a dozen or more bulbs are. Due to both breakage and safety concerns they are migrating to LED's big time. Far brighter and they never die out.
Cost is not an advantage up front. Currently there is a huge price differential not in LED's favor. But when you consider the other factors, brightness, color (pure white), enviormental hazards, energy savings (factor of 3 or better), broader range of dim ability, longevity, zero flicker and don't forget the coolness factor of being 1st to where Apple knows things are headed you can see how Apple can justify a price premium for the component.
And while none of us want to be kicking around or dropping our toys, excuse me tools, it happens and these things never break. So Apple may make up any increase in manufacturing costs with reduced warrenty costs.
Excuse the spelling, I'm a poster not the journalist.
don't forget the coolness factor of being 1st to where Apple knows things are headed you can see how Apple can justify a price premium for the component.
Not to quibble, but Apple is not out ahead of the curve on this one. Sony and Lenovo (and I believe a few other higher end laptop manufacturers) have had these for six months or more. I only wish Apple was first to market, then I would have been able (maybe) to convince my IT department to get me a Mac. The flicker thing is huge for me. It can trigger migraines for some. My old laptop used the older technology and if I worked on it for more than a few hours it would trigger a migraine. I've been using this new LED back light Lenovo and have had no symptoms.
So if there are any other migraine suffers out there that are triggered by flourescent lights, this will be welcome news.
Personaly i was hoping for a May 9th update of macbook pros with santa rosa, which is when the chip release was tracked for back in the day. With this new information it looks like it wont be updating till WWDC 
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I wonder how much energy savings and what extended battery life might be expected? will the life of the LED backlight be much longer then existing technolgy? will the color of the light be as good or better than existing 'true white' screen color. will contrast be as good or better? Finally, i assume there will be less heat associated with LED lighting - but my screen isn't at all warm so it seems that may not be any sort of advantage. where can i read up on this new use of LED technology?