Apple Going Widescreen in 2006?


Taiwan's Digitimes, always close to the pulse, but not always 100% accurate, says that mainstream notebook makers, including Apple and Dell, will introduce more widescreen models in the first half of 2006.

Currently, widescreen models, such as the 15" and 17" PowerBook G4s, comprise 40% of PC makers' notebook shipments. But sources are predicting that could rise to as high as 80-90% by mid-next year.

IBM is expected to include a 15.4" Thinkpad to its lineup next year. Apple currently uses a 15.2" LCD in its mid-range PowerBook G4 model. A 15.4" display has long been mooted.

Prices are falling on the widescreen displays. For example a 14.1" LCD, as used on many iBook models, costs $140 at wholesale, but a widescreen 14.1" panel can be had for as little as $15 more.

Equally, 15.4" widescreens carry a premium of only $10-15 over standard 15" displays.

Dell also plans to launch a 19" widescreen in 2006, with Compal the expected supplier. Dell currently employs 15.4" widescreens in the majority of its mid-range models.

Analysis: So - you want wide? Higher resolutions? Or both? And a widescreen 14.1" iBook would be a nice place to live.