CES 2012: Panasonic's 20-Inch Display at 216 PPI Arrives Amid Rumors of 'Retina' MacBook Pro

[Exponent]

For us "old timers"...

...this screen, in 20", can contain 42.3 times the screen real estate of the original Macintosh 128K, despite being just 20% bigger than the whole front face of that original little "all-in-one".

I bring this up not to spout useless trivia, but to point out that in just (roughly) one generation how much more information and/or detail we're expected to manage in our most basic personal computing devices.

Something we should ask ourselves: for all these impressive technological advances in display, computing, networking, and storage: is our quality of work that much better than a generation ago? For some things, I'd agree (medical research, for example), but for many other fields, I really scratch my head....

 

[visim91]

This is the revolution from Apples laptop devision i've been waiting for, for the past few years since the introduction of the unibody.

Can't wait for ultra high resolution display, new processors, and most importantly a new design! So glad I skipped out on the unibodys.

You do realize the super-duperbody MacBook is, by no means, arriving this year, right?

This isn't an advertisement for a spring refresh. It's not even a rumor regarding Macs. It's a highlight of innovation. Innovation driven by the recognition/emergence of a high-res mobile market.
There will not be 20" duperbody MacBooks. You will have to wait quite a bit longer. I'm really concerned you're not getting this.

 

[JHankwitz]

I'm really concerned you're not getting this.

Do you mean to tell me that when I see this stuff being demoed at CES, it's not ready to ship to consumers?

Folks don't realize the work involved in getting a product from prototype, through development, and into production. Depending on product complexity, a prototype might take years to create and cost millions of dollars. Getting it to a point where people will buy it and making it in quantities consumers might demand can take many years more.

You can be sure that Apple already has teams of people working on the iPhone 6 and 7, and iOS 6 and 7, not to mention entirely new concepts well beyond iPads and laptops. It will take many years before they will be ready to hit the market.

 

[louis Fashion]

What Next?

Forgive me, but don't we get to a point where the source material will not be able to keep up with the hardware? I don't know if I want to see a random Kardashian in Super-duper high-rez plus X factor planet 9 at 216, 316, or 416 PP! or whatever is going to be available in the next five years.

Is there too much of a good thing?

 

[baryon]

...this screen, in 20", can contain 42.3 times the screen real estate of the original Macintosh 128K, despite being just 20% bigger than the whole front face of that original little "all-in-one".

I bring this up not to spout useless trivia, but to point out that in just (roughly) one generation how much more information and/or detail we're expected to manage in our most basic personal computing devices.

Something we should ask ourselves: for all these impressive technological advances in display, computing, networking, and storage: is our quality of work that much better than a generation ago? For some things, I'd agree (medical research, for example), but for many other fields, I really scratch my head....

Yes, I think that human technological and social evolution works very hard to keep our "happiness" level pretty much at the same place…

 

[felixgun]

Don't be hatin' on my unibody!! I think its the slickest looking computer I've ever seen. But hey, I said that about the previous generation too. Can't wait for the next re-design! I hope it comes soon!

I love the unibody too! Can't wait to see what the next gen apple laptops are going to look like...

 

[toddybody]

Thanks alot MR, now I have to change my pants.


This is going to be wonderful

 

[smoledman]

Looks ugly and horrible, total junk I'm afraid. Just stick to Apple.

 

[thenerdal]

Looks ugly and horrible, total junk I'm afraid. Just stick to Apple.

It's just a display...

 

[thekev]

Truly amazing. Never in my life (which started in the first half of the last century!) have I encountered such absolute, unquestioning, unconditional, blind devotion to anything or anyone.

It's astounding!!

Guys guys....... he keeps trolling and yet it works every time. We all know Apple encapsulates new cool technology in marketing speak as soon as it becomes viable, and then LTD brags about how Apple invented it (even though the development was from the R+D of Samsung, LG, and others).

You do realize the super-duperbody MacBook is, by no means, arriving this year, right?

This isn't an advertisement for a spring refresh. It's not even a rumor regarding Macs. It's a highlight of innovation. Innovation driven by the recognition/emergence of a high-res mobile market.
There will not be 20" duperbody MacBooks. You will have to wait quite a bit longer. I'm really concerned you're not getting this.

People get excited by anything. I anticipated resolution increases years ago with the move away from printed media. At some point I expect we'll see further improvement in backlight technology too and improvements to tonal continuity rather than just ever increasing levels of contrast. If it makes for an improved experience, someone will find a way to develop and market it.

Forgive me, but don't we get to a point where the source material will not be able to keep up with the hardware? I don't know if I want to see a random Kardashian in Super-duper high-rez plus X factor planet 9 at 216, 316, or 416 PP! or whatever is going to be available in the next five years.

Is there too much of a good thing?

There's a point where PPI no longer matter as a means of improving the quality of the user experience. When you get to the point where you can no longer see individual pixels, then it's time to work on a different aspect of the technology. It'll happen. We pretty much see it today with smartphones.

 

[Drunken Master]

I wonder if battery life will take a hit on the MBP while unplugged if it has a retina display?

 

[Oletros]

Looks ugly and horrible, total junk I'm afraid. Just stick to Apple.

 

[FuNGi]

326 > 313, 311, 301

Ah, yes, 326 ppi is a big, big step from 313 ppi when Retina display is defined as >300 ppi.

I thought the story said 216?

 

[Oletros]

I thought the story said 216?

216 is the Panasonic LCD ppi, 326 is iPhone's

 

[kockgunner]

I honestly can't see the use for this. I mean for some text, it will look good, but imagine the GPU needed to render all those pixels! They current GPUs have enough problem not overheating and causing faulty logic boards or hard freezing.

 

[kyjaotkb]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

How about Panasonic hi res IPS in MBPs and top tier plasmas in the highly anticipated Apple TV set?

 

[Cordless_Drill]

I don't want the computer, but the girl looks like a keeper.

 

[derickdub]

I'd be happy just to have a 2560x1600 27" monitor.

 

[fertilized-egg]

Forgive me, but don't we get to a point where the source material will not be able to keep up with the hardware?

For me, icons and fonts without the pixel jagginess would be more than good enough. We will finally see the fonts in all their glory without pixel snapping distortions!

 

[AidenShaw]

They current GPUs have enough problem not overheating and causing faulty logic boards or hard freezing.

Computers from companies other than Apple seem to be able to keep the graphics processors cool enough - maybe Apple needs to higher more engineers (e.g. thermal engineers) and fewer designers.

 

[shansoft]

If they really use some insane high resolution on Macbook, I would have doubt there are any low-mid range GPU that can handle it...

Plus, video that is not on native or close to native resolution would look blurry...

 

[SKTHEPREZ]

Damn..

Now do I sell my Macbook Pro Feb 2011 release (first with the Thunderbolt)? It's already had an update in between, and this one acts weird lately, some freezing, which I never had with my 2007 MBP. As I ponder this though, with how impressive the resolution is already on this current 2011 model, will retina really make that much of a difference? Also, am I gonna need my laptop that much? I use this one less and less as the months pass it seems. Man Apple, always putting pressure on me.. Sheesh

 

[the8thark]

That says it all.

Another Apple-led initiative.

100% correct.

 

[QCassidy352]

no harm to it I suppose, but it hardly seems necessary. you simply don't need the same resolution on a display as on a phone because it's so much further from your face. So if they can do it from a technical and economic standpoint then fine, but honestly, not something I'm holding my breath for.

 

[velocityg4]

One thing about these super hires screens that make me shudder. Is the GPU requirements for gaming at native resolution in high end games with all details set to high.

Could the upcoming Radeon HD 7990 crossfired handle high end shooters on a 24inch screen at this DPI?