Sharp Begins Mass Production of Retina-Resolution IGZO Displays

[MacRumors]

IDG News reports that Sharp has announced the start of mass production of new ultra high-resolution displays based on IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) materials. Early rumors had suggested that Apple might use the IGZO displays in the new iPad, but whether due to later-than-expected availability or other considerations, Apple elected not to do so.

Apple has, however, also been claimed to be considering IGZO for its rumored television set, which analysts are expecting to debut late this year or early next year.

Sharp said the new technology allows for twice the detail of existing panels at the same transparency, which means high-resolution devices can be designed that require less power and space for backlighting. The company said the new displays cut power consumption by up to 90 percent versus those currently in use.

Less lighting and smaller battery requirements allow for thinner devices, and analysts have said Apple will use IGZO displays in its upcoming products, including its highly-anticipated entry into the smart TV market.

In its press release, Sharp gives several different examples of displays at different sizes being manufactured using IGZO materials, including 7-inch tablet screens running at 1280x800 (217 pixels per inch), 10-inch notebook screens running at 2560x1600 (300 ppi), and 32-inch LCD monitor screens running at 3840x2160 (140 ppi).




Apple's current Mac products typically register at roughly 100-130 ppi, and a rumored 2880x1800 15-inch MacBook Pro would come in at 220 ppi. Sharp's examples of a 10-inch screen at 300 ppi and a 32-inch screen at only 140 ppi don't exactly match up with the pixel density expected for Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro, but it seems that Sharp may be well on its way toward accommodating such a display while embracing the benefits of the new IGZO materials.

Article Link: Sharp Begins Mass Production of Retina-Resolution IGZO Displays

[Liquinn]

Retina display Macbook Pro please! :P xD

[basesloaded190]

I don't think in their press release they would mention a 15" and it's resolution or a 50" and the resolution just because people would would do the math and assume those pannels were for Apple

[FrizzleFryBen]

That would be quite literally, 'Sharp'

[MrPhineas]

Cool, here are my credit card number and code!

[Darlo770]

Yay, so the screen in my 'new' iPad is already old? Gotta love Apple.

[jterp7]

Originally Posted by Liquinn

Retina display Macbook Pro please! :P xD

it they release a 32" TB with 2160p anytime soon I'll be pretty mad..especially if its anywhere near the old TB price, though I am certain the MBA will not be able to handle it at all lol

[Limboistik]

90% power savings, that's quite impressive.

[GREEN4U]

This is the news we've all been wanting to see!!

Thumbs up if you're happy!

[Jaro65]

A 90% reduction in power consumption? Amazing. That is definitely going to help extend the battery life of new MBPs and MBAs.

[srxtr]

Originally Posted by MrPhineas

Cool, here are my credit card number and code!

Where?

[wgr73]

Sweet! With the availability of these screens, Apple might as well start using them in the MacBook lineups!

[Blu-Ray]

Would love me some 15-inch MacBook Pro at 220 ppi.

[Winter Charm]

OMG YES YES YES!!!!!

Bring on the delicious retina displays. PC makers will be struggling to keep up with apple on this!

And considering the rave reviews of screen clarity on the iPad, I expect the same for every single mac out there!

If the 27" Cinemadisplay goes Retina... Holy god... I'm buying.

[hleewell]

90% reduction in power consumption? That's it I am buying!

[Winter Charm]

Originally Posted by Darlo770

Yay, so the screen in my 'new' iPad is already old? Gotta love Apple.

No. Actually. But, the screen in all the other macbooks/iMacs/macbook pros became old with the new iPad.

Now, they will be brought back up to that standard. So, no. In fact, you could say that you had one of the first large-screen retina display devices to be produced by apple

[jonnysods]

Excited about good battery life offerings. Wonder what it takes the video cards to run that screen though?

[InTheUnion]

Originally Posted by Limboistik

90% power savings, that's quite impressive.

I took that to mean 90% less power consumption than existing high resolution displays. I'd love to be wrong though.

[Patriot24]

At the "New iPad" event, Tim Cook made a point of saying that innovations "like this" (presumably the retina display) were going to keep coming this year.

Looks like 2012 is the year of high resolution displays.

[Wuiffi]

if there would be a hidpi version (4 times the pixel) of the highres (1680x1050) Display, I would sell my 1 year old mbp and buy a new one!

[TMay]

These HiDpi screens will drive a huge replacement cycle for Macs and eventually PC sales, i.e., non mobile devices. Good for everybody, but especially great for Apple.

For awhile anyway, the PC is back!

[dashiel]

32" iMac?

[camnchar]

Originally Posted by Wuiffi

if there would be a hidpi version (4 times the pixel) of the highres (1680x1050) Display, I would sell my 1 year old

Me too.

[Limboistik]

Originally Posted by InTheUnion

I took that to mean 90% less power consumption than existing high resolution displays. I'd love to be wrong though.

Well it says compared to those currently in use.
Kind of vague. But I would assume they mean vs the existing Retina displays.

I find it hard to believe it can drive that level of resolution AND consume 90% less power than conventional 1080p LCDs/LEDs.

[Sgt. ButtKiss]

Well... Sorry mortgage, we are back to minimum payments again