Apple Orders 13.3'' LED Backlit Screens for Upcoming Laptop?

[popelife]

* Whilst I can't speak to the structural strength of the current MacBook Pros, I would be surprised if they were less than par for a typical laptop.

Having never owned a PC laptop you may be right there... I see quite a few broken windows laptops. Not much in the PC world matches Apple's industrial design. All I'd say is, never accidentally put too much pressure on an MBP's palm rest, over the CD slot. For that one slip, you have to replace two of the three major case parts costing a total of $400, probably $600 or more as a repair.

I can't help feeling that the way the MBP fits together mechanically could be a little less prone to issues. (e.g. Screens not folding properly, case seams not quite closing up, especially following a repair.)

 

[luminosity]

Personally, I think the current MBP design is perfect, but that's just me.

 

[aswitcher]

Personally, I think the current MBP design is perfect, but that's just me.

I dislike the grey plastic surround, the mechanical latch, lack of standard keyboard layout...

I would like hdmi instead of dvi, ipod touch/iphone like trackpad, more powerful speakers, fw800, bigger megapixel camera, LED backlight, higher screen resolution, lighter.

 

[John Musbach]

Digitimes claims that Apple has placed an order with Kenmos Technology and Taiwan Nano Electro-Optical Technology for 13.3-inch LED notebook backlight units for an upcoming Apple laptop:

Kenmos is also said to be shipping LED notebook BLUs to Apple for "high-end models".

Apple has been rumored to be launching a new "ultra-portable" laptop at Macworld San Francisco in January. Early specs described by Appleinsider suggested the new sub-notebook would carry a 13" screen with aluminum enclosure that is described to be 50% lighter and "strikingly slimmer" than the existing 15" MacBook Pros. Apple recently adopted the environmentally friendly LED backlit screens in its MacBook Pro models.

Steve Jobs will be giving the Macworld San Francisco 2008 keynote speech on January 15th, 2008.

Article Link

This is good, not only is this more environment friendly but LEDs last a lot longer then the current lighting elements used for our LCD backlights as well. This receives a +1 from me.

 

[Clancycoop]

Possible Design

Here is a very vague guess from me of what they could do to the MBP. Yes, it is beautiful right now, but...

You know that shiny metal on the iPhone (I'm not going to guess what it is, so please make fun of me) that is around the edges? Lets throw that around the edges of the MBP! I'm sure Apple could do it better than you are picturing in you head right now...

Stick with the Alum. casing, add chiclet keyboard etc.

Why wouldn't Apple update it to look like the iMac and iPod? Apple isn't afraid to replace popular products (ie the iPod Mini was SO popular, but it got booted, then brought back thinner as the 2Gen Nano!)

All I know, is that right now Apple doesn't have a notebook I want. I don't want a Macbook, because I want the Pros graphics card and speed. I don't want a 15" Notebook, so it looks like I'm out of luck unless Apple wakes up and sees this gaping hole in the product line.

I love both the MB and MBP, but I can't settle for either, so I am waiting for MWSF... or eternity.

 

[ruku]

if it is to be the macbook that is updated then wouldnt that make the current batch of santa rossa's released only 1 month ago one of the shortest lived lines of notebooks ever released? seems a bit more than odd to me.

 

[sk8ordie]

if it is to be the macbook that is updated then wouldnt that make the current batch of santa rossa's released only 1 month ago one of the shortest lived lines of notebooks ever released? seems a bit more than odd to me.

Only the tech forum geeks like us know this

 

[AidenShaw]

if it is to be the macbook that is updated then wouldnt that make the current batch of santa rosa's released only 1 month ago one of the shortest lived lines of notebooks ever released? seems a bit more than odd to me.

But, the new ones would also be Santa Rosa systems.

Apple (and Apple fans) need to get out of the mindset that dropping in a new pin-compatible chip (be it the Northbridge or the CPU) makes a "new line".

Apple should be making these "silent" upgrades whenever new parts are available. (hint, hint - graphics chips, especially for the workstation)

 

[NYCMacFan]

You know, I think I was wrong about the market wanting a true ultra portable rather than a thinner MacBook.

I posted a poll question in the forum and it's 10:1 in favor of the thinner MacBook design!

Though I still think a true, tiny ultra portable would do well, I have to admit I was off about the interest level for a larger, thinner laptop!

Actually I feel I may be wrong on this looking at the comments. Ultimately, I'd like to see a thin 13inch as well as a smaller one. But oddly we seem to have three sets of consumers on this thread:

1. People that want a replacement in form factor to the old 12inch PBs. I have one and the 13inch slim they talk about is pretty darn close.

2. People that want a 9-10 inch computer.

3. People that want a 7 inch device that is not quite a computer, but something entirely.

I continue to think that long-term you can't see stuff on anything smaller than 12inchs and that the 13.3 is the same form factor given that it is widescreen (certainly same vertical usage or less). But I feel outnumbered.

 

[NYCMacFan]

Hmm, bluetooth would take at least 5 hours to just transmit a DVD.
Bluetooth 2.0 EDR:
2.1 Mbit/s = 0.2625 MB/s = 15.75 MB/m

DVD = 4700 MB

1 DVD = 298.41269841269841 minutes
= 4.9735449735449735 hours

Don't forget about good old Firewire, that would do the job just fine.

YEAH. This is why you might need firewire or USB. I again think 95% of users will happily scrap the superdrive for a neat external one, but again, that would be if it is either wireless so you just leave it plugged in somewhere inconspicuous OR if you can just plug in with no external AC.

 

[KingYaba]

Sounds like a simple LED update for the existing Macbooks.

 

[lost eden]

Sounds like a simple LED update for the existing Macbooks.

Ditto. Am I the only one who sees the major flaw in this idea that 'new 13" LED LCDs must mean new ultraportable Macs?' - 13" isn't ultraportable, no matter how thin the surrounding enclosure is!

 

[NYCMacFan]

But alas, I really don't believe the ultraportable rumor. We are simply
getting a lighter/thinner 13.3" MB or MBP...

13.3 MB vs MBP.

I wonder which they go for. Super thin at 13.3 is still expensive and I do not know if they could maintain pricing/margins on MBs.

An easier options would be a refresh of 17,15 and now NEW 13.3 in MBP to follow design cues of new Imac. 13.3 MBP would be super thin, super light, have a better video card, LED screen, and option for an SSD instead of HDD.

This would give it clear differentiation with MB line.

PS Looking at pricing of other ultraportables, if it is 10 or 12 inch, it would probably be priced higher than existing MB and closer MBP. A 7inch machine would be something else entirely and no idea on prices.

 

[Squonk]

13.3 MB vs MBP.

I wonder which they go for. Super thin at 13.3 is still expensive and I do not know if they could maintain pricing/margins on MBs.

An easier options would be a refresh of 17,15 and now NEW 13.3 in MBP to follow design cues of new Imac. 13.3 MBP would be super thin, super light, have a better video card, LED screen, and option for an SSD instead of HDD.

This would give it clear differentiation with MB line.

There is clearly a missing product to fill the now gone PB 12". A 13" MBP with a minimal bezel should meet the needs of the 12" PB users if they do it right. That is my hope for the 13" LEDs that are being talked about.

 

[NYCMacFan]

There is clearly a missing product to fill the now gone PB 12". A 13" MBP with a minimal bezel should meet the needs of the 12" PB users if they do it right. That is my hope for the 13" LEDs that are being talked about.

If you compare dimensions between 12inch PB and a new 13.3, they are almost identical as long as there is minimal space on left/right of the screen. Can also be much thinner and lighter and narrower in each for slight length.

Old 12 PB

Dimensions (WxDxH): 10.9 in x 8.6 in x 1.2 in
Weight: 4.6 lbs

Potential new PB

Dimensions (WxDxH): 11.8 in x 8.2 in x .5 in
Weight: 2.2 lbs

I'd say a VERY nice tradoff if my numbers are right for just a touch more in length. Personally, and as I have posted before, I am more personally concerned with vertical rather than horizontal space as I do more writing than movie watching...So I'd even prefer the old 12 (still own one), but the world has gone on to letterbox...

 

[Squonk]

If you compare dimensions between 12inch PB and a new 13.3, they are almost identical as long as there is minimal space on left/right of the screen. Can also be much thinner and lighter and narrower in each for slight length.

Old 12 PB

Dimensions (WxDxH): 10.9 in x 8.6 in x 1.2 in
Weight: 4.6 lbs

Potential new PB

Dimensions (WxDxH): 11.8 in x 8.2 in x .5 in
Weight: 2.2 lbs

I'd say a VERY nice tradoff if my numbers are right for just a touch more in length. Personally, and as I have posted before, I am more personally concerned with vertical rather than horizontal space as I do more writing than movie watching...So I'd even prefer the old 12 (still own one), but the world has gone on to letterbox...

That would be an impressive machine - only 1/2" thick. I'm thinking the only way to achieve that would be the omission of the optical drive. And only 2.2 pounds, really? You think they can achieve that? It would make for a really smart machine. I have my doubts that it would be that thin and light.

 

[NYCMacFan]

That would be an impressive machine - only 1/2" thick. I'm thinking the only way to achieve that would be the omission of the optical drive. And only 2.2 pounds, really? You think they can achieve that? It would make for a really smart machine. I have my doubts that it would be that thin and light.

I do see that as possible with the omission of an optical drive and perhaps an SSD. with a conventional hard drive, I think 2.6.

The LED screen, a more efficient processor and SSD would all mean weight savings (LED is slightly thiner, lighter, processor could need less heat dissipation shielding and an SSD is half the weight of a 2.5 HDD). All three use less power and so the battery can be smaller as well offering a slight knock on effect in weight savings.

One issue: If you have both SSD and HDD they would probably opt for a single standard and slightly larger drive then necessary. So SSD would be only a few ounces lighter, but the battery would last longer.

 

[AidenShaw]

saves an ounce

I do see that as possible with the omission of an optical drive and perhaps an SSD. with a conventional hard drive, I think 2.6.
...
an SSD is half the weight of a 2.5 HDD

Check the specs - a 2.5" SSD is about 3 ounces, an spinning drive is about 4 ounces.

 

[TurboSC]

There should be no reason you're running out of hard drive space on your laptop storage. If you deal with files that big or that plentiful, you should be carrying around an external HDD to solve your problems

I'm thinking about getting a USB powered external to go along with the new MBP come MacWorld.

 

[ruku]

But, the new ones would also be Santa Rosa systems.

Apple (and Apple fans) need to get out of the mindset that dropping in a new pin-compatible chip (be it the Northbridge or the CPU) makes a "new line".

Apple should be making these "silent" upgrades whenever new parts are available. (hint, hint - graphics chips, especially for the workstation)

i agree but there were more upgrades than that. i believe its the most significant upgrade to the macbook line since it was introduced. new graphics chip, new platform and new system bus speed at the same time as leopard's introduction. also i believe they changed the casings' plastic to fix issues with the discolouration also changing the keyboard layout while they were at it.

graphics chip - first time it was changed
platform - only changed once before in its lifespan
bus speed - first speed change since macbook's introduction

to me that seems like a holistic change. otherwise what does make a real upgrade? the case? that screen would be nice though. whats the next chipset called again, monteiva? happening around may, that seems a good time to update to LEDs and newer casing.

 

[Martin C]

I hope that this is for a 13.3'' MBP since I've been waiting for it in this size forever. I want all the power, graphics, and advantages of the MBP in a MacBook sized package.

 

[TurboSC]

I hope that this is for a 13.3'' MBP since I've been waiting for it in this size forever. I want all the power, graphics, and advantages of the MBP in a MacBook sized package.

that basically sums up my situation right there... though with the smaller package I'd like to see how they handle the heat issue.

 

[gtimark]

my question is for all of the people complaining about glossy screens. can't you choose wether or not you want a glossy screen?

Unfortunately, one cannot choose the better option on the MacBook. Boo. I really don't like the reflective glossy screen.

 

[jameskohn]

13" MB PRO my dream!

I hope that this is for a 13.3'' MBP since I've been waiting for it in this size forever. I want all the power, graphics, and advantages of the MBP in a MacBook sized package.

Amen!!!

I am dying for the 13" MBP, but I really want the PRO specs... As long as it's no more than 1" thick, and weighs no more than my 12" PowerBook I will be ecstatic. Specs of current MBP's would be fine, just a smaller form factor. Don't need an ultra portable, but give me a 13" MBP!

 

[paprizzi]

PLEASEEEEEEEEEE Dont Dump the Drive

Please dont Dump the optical drive....... A new laptop WITHOUT a optical drive is a DEALBREAKER to me... I travel often and my laptop is also my movie DVD player....I cant justify buying a new laptop if it cant be my DVD player also