16:9 vs 16:10... where is Apple going?

[L0s7man]

I find the current Apple offering somewhat curious.

11" MBA and iMac are 16:9 while 13" MBA and MBPs are 16:10. Weird, isn't it?

Personally, I prefer 16:9; I do a lot of programming and I like to have multiple columns of source code (e.g. two columns on my 11" MBA); plus, OSX is good in not wasting vertical space (move the dock to the right and hide toolbars and you have a lot of vertical space).

I know there are a lot of people out there who prefer 16:10.

Which is better is not really the case here. I just find the inconsistency a bit odd. What do you think?

 

[Daveoc64]

16:9 panels are generally cheaper than 16:10 panels, so it's probably a cost thing.

The 16:9 computers you mention are cheaper than the 16:10 computers.

 

[dcorban]

It's not odd at all. The 11" MacBook uses a full-size keyboard, therefore the width must be similar in size to the 13" for comfort. So the decision is to make the computer shorter in the other dimension. The trackpad and the screen are both vertically shortened.