Forum: Should the iBook Go Widescreen?


Digitimes reports that HP, Acer and Sony will integrate OEM Quanta's widescreen 14.1" screens into their notebook lines by June or July 2004.

Monthly production of the units is expected to be 60,000-70,000, with a small number going to clone manufacturers.

The 14.1" widescreen can be used with existing notebook chassis and logic boards, but the revamped LCDs will give the widescreen models are different form factor, Digitimes says.

Acer is expected to be first off the blocks with a demonstration of the widescreen models at Taipei's Computex in June this year

Analysis: The 14.1" iBook, despite early criticism, has been a strong seller for Apple, even in Japan where small is beautiful. The question is whether a widescreen 14.1" would steal PowerBook 15.2" sales, and it would clearly also involve a design rethink from Apple. An iBook with this screen would have reduced depth, but slightly greater width. Nevertheless, a 'premium' iBook would doubtless be popular, particularly to those who won't need the power - or the price - of the forthcoming PowerBook G5.

What do you think?