Kuo: Apple's Mini-LED Product Roadmap May Have Been Pushed Back to 2021

[falainber]

If mini LED is really so good, I wonder why Samsung and Co have not deployed it in their flagships yet? They should be able to make anything screen-related, so why not come out with an actual mini LED device? Is it too expensive or too complicated, or both?

You can buy MSI Creator 17 laptop with mini LED display today.

 

[JPack]

Was OLED that great when Samsung introduced it?
I remember plenty of complaints about Pentile for years, followed by the various curved edge gimmicks that pretty much everyone hated.

Meanwhile Apple concentrated on, first Retina, then serious calibration, and year after year people generally agreed that their screens were the best for most purposes (unless you were seriously interested in proving some point, insisting that AMOLED's big feature, contrast, was by far the most important aspect of a screen).

I'd say the AMOLED story confirms my point. SS had the tech, but didn't know how to use it OPTIMALLY, and basically floundered for years without a model to guide them.

Samsung didn't know how to use OLED optimally? Unbiased reviewers like Display Mate have stated for years the OLED on the Galaxy is the "most color accurate display" they've ever tested. Not to mention smaller bezels or an always-on display.

We'll see the same story play out with iPhone 5G. Apple will adopt Snapdragon X55 but it'll be limited to 1x1 upload and half the models will probably lack mmW.

 

[one more]

Same reason as always -- they let Apple perform the actual innovation (eg figure out the optimal way to use these new screens in terms of the phone's appearance, plus figure out the optimal way to tweak them for calibration and power) then copy what Apple did.

Get angry if you like, but ultimately it works for everyone. Apple takes the risk, and gets most of the profit; meanwhile everyone else gets nicer screens at a cheaper price, just delayed by a year or so.

Did not Samsung, etc. implement the AMOLED screens before Apple, though?

 

[name99]

You can buy MSI Creator 17 laptop with mini LED display today.

From that same article: "It’s also worth noting that a Mini LED backlight by itself is no guarantee of screen quality."

FIRST!!! is the cry of the idiot. What matters is BEST.
I expect Apple will ship these when they're ready, meaning when they believe they have a satisfactory local dimming algorithm.
It's quite likely, I suspect, that the algorithms developed for TV content (which do appear to work well in that context) are just horrible on computer content, where we care very much about white/black contrast, fine lines, and where you can EASILY see very small local variations in brightness on a white page background.
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Did not Samsung, etc. implement the AMOLED screens before Apple, though?

Read my followup comment about that.

 

[falainber]

From that same article: "It’s also worth noting that a Mini LED backlight by itself is no guarantee of screen quality."

FIRST!!! is the cry of the idiot. What matters is BEST.
I expect Apple will ship these when they're ready, meaning when they believe they have a satisfactory local dimming algorithm.
It's quite likely, I suspect, that the algorithms developed for TV content (which do appear to work well in that context) are just horrible on computer content, where we care very much about white/black contrast, fine lines, and where you can EASILY see very small local variations in brightness on a white page background.
[automerge]1588878620[/automerge]

Read my followup comment about that.

Apple is often the last with innovation. They are not the ones who invented mini OLED. They will just be buying the panels from some manufacturer. The reason they are often the last is that they only release high volume products. They were unable to release smartphone with OLED screens for many years not because the tech was not ready but because Apple could not procure the screens in volume they needed for iPhone. People who love leading edge tech do not buy Apple products.

 

[cult hero]

I was hoping for the 14" to be my next machine but I bit the bullet today and got the high end 13" (no BTO options). I actually don't know why I care so much, lol. I spend most of my time hooked up to some form of docking station anyway.

I'm replacing my 2016 machine, the first gen Thunderbolt 3 machine with a TouchBar. Admittedly, I really like this machine, but I have been wanting an upgrade since Apple finally put quad core processors in. 10th gen processors, four cores, and a keyboard that doesn't suck are all welcome additions. Looks like I won't be in the market for a new machine for at least two years.

Now I can relax on these rumors, lol.

 

[Fowl]

How significant are mini-LEDs? I get that they'll cut down on screen power use and extend battery life. Other than that, is image quality going to be that noticeably different? Black is already pretty black on current screens. What else?

 

[JPack]

How significant are mini-LEDs? I get that they'll cut down on screen power use and extend battery life. Other than that, is image quality going to be that noticeably different? Black is already pretty black on current screens. What else?

Mini LED combines the benefits of LCD and OLED. It offers high resolution, brightness, and color gamut (LCD benefit). It also offers high contrast ratio and narrow bezels (OLED benefit). The downside is cost and power consumption.

 

[CatalinApple]

Well, even more reason to keep my Early 2015 MBP and not upgrade anytime soon. I just wonder what the world is gonna look like a year from now, but we are thinking about stuff that might truly end up getting pushed out even further if we don’t get a vaccine.

I still use the first MacBook Pro I bought till this date. It's a 2012 Retina Display model.

 

[Darajavahus]

Can't wait, and in spite of the rumor I actually hope the redesigned iMac will be first to get this since they had some practice with similar idea on the pro display.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I still use the first MacBook Pro I bought till this date. It's a 2012 Retina Display model.

Thats gonna be 10 years old in a couple years. It really does speak to the quality of Apples notebook line. I am seriously thinking about doing the same - 2025 MacBook Pro, here I come. 😁

 

[AndrewR23]

Should i upgrade to the MBP 13 10th gen or wait for the 14" MBP?

This is the million $ question. Im in the same boat

 

[CatalinApple]

Thats gonna be 10 years old in a couple years. It really does speak to the quality of Apples notebook line. I am seriously thinking about doing the same - 2025 MacBook Pro, here I come. 😁

I think I will have to say goodbye to it. I don't think it will support the next version of macOS. I am impressed that it has been receiving the latest macOS version after 8 years of its initial release date. In my own opinion this is very impressive. I think macOS Catalina is the right version to put an end to an incredible journey and memories. In about 7 weeks we will know which Macs will be considered obsolete and won't get the next major version of macOS.

As you say the quality of Apple products is good and I am sure your MacBook Pro will be good for another 3-4 years. In the meantime the technology will mature and maybe the next MacBook Pro 16 inch will come with Face ID and optional TouchBar with embedded TouchID.

 

[jonnysods]

Mini-LED sounds swell. I'd be more happy if they can get a better FaceTime camera in the MBP its awful. My phone/iPad are way better.

 

[VPRunner]

I was hoping for the 14" to be my next machine but I bit the bullet today and got the high end 13" (no BTO options). I actually don't know why I care so much, lol. I spend most of my time hooked up to some form of docking station anyway.

I'm replacing my 2016 machine, the first gen Thunderbolt 3 machine with a TouchBar. Admittedly, I really like this machine, but I have been wanting an upgrade since Apple finally put quad core processors in. 10th gen processors, four cores, and a keyboard that doesn't suck are all welcome additions. Looks like I won't be in the market for a new machine for at least two years.

Now I can relax on these rumors, lol.

Wish I would give in. I’m still holding out.

 

[827538]

All fails? I don’t think so at all. The T2 chip vastly improves security and reduces the load on the CPU. The touchbar, while some may like it, others may not, it’s there and can be used in helpful ways for certain demographics. Lastly, the keyboard was badly planned yes, since I don’t think it was throughly tested. However, some still enjoyed it, the lacking component was the silicon seal that was put around the keys. If it had the silicon seal I think more people would have enjoyed using it. Of course though, keyboards are very preference based.

I agree, the T2 chip is a great addition. Ensures there's almost no hit to full disk encryption among a few other things.
I have a 2016 MacBook with the butterfly keys and I really like them. My wife also has a 2016 MacBook and the keys have been an ongoing nightmare. It's definitely something that I think is nice when it works but were no where near robust enough.
Personally I'm indifferent to the touch bar, I like the function keys but it is a cool feature when programs make use of it. Bringing back the physical ESC key was a good idea though.

 

[steve333]

I miss LCD displays. LED is an eye killer

 

[EugW]

I miss LCD displays. LED is an eye killer

All of the MacBooks and iPads are LCDs.

 

[yurc]

All fails? I don’t think so at all. The T2 chip vastly improves security and reduces the load on the CPU. The touchbar, while some may like it, others may not, it’s there and can be used in helpful ways for certain demographics. Lastly, the keyboard was badly planned yes, since I don’t think it was throughly tested. However, some still enjoyed it, the lacking component was the silicon seal that was put around the keys. If it had the silicon seal I think more people would have enjoyed using it. Of course though, keyboards are very preference based.

T2 is like double edged sword. It reduce loads on CPU for certain task, but it sometimes blocking some third party USB driver such as Wacom, Logitech. Since it was hardware restriction, it PITA to get rid the error in console. All errors have T2 interfere with driver itself, driver loaded on OS thwarted by T2 . Not happened on non T2 Macs, same OS, same driver version.

 

[Jury]

It’s been 8 years since the Retina MBP. People know that their devices aren’t user-repairable. Look how smartphones dumped swappable batteries.

People should also be educated not to dump electronics in landfills.

Who cares if is 8 years and things do change for the better part in future years to become more user-replaceable.

 

[Detnator]

No doubt, touchbar is much less problematic that can be further improved.

We rejected the idea of soldered NVMe and RAM in a laptop that is more troublesome. Apple is not respecting the right to repair laws and responsible for e-waste pollution by not abiding the norm for offering user-replaceable.

No. A few obnoxious loudmouths on MR forums rejected soldered parts, but everyone else understands the benefits.

As for waste... You really haven’t heard of Apple’s trade-in program?

If you throw your old Mac into landfill it’s on you not Apple. Apple will take back any device of any age and recycle/dispose of it responsibly - if it’s not at salvageable and sale-able to someone else who will get use out of it.

Just because you can’t take it apart doesn’t mean they can’t.

Please get over this already and get your facts straight.

 

[Jury]

No. A few obnoxious loudmouths on MR forums rejected soldered parts, but everyone else understands the benefits.

As for waste... You really haven’t heard of Apple’s trade-in program?

If you throw your old Mac into landfill it’s on you not Apple. Apple will take back any device of any age and recycle/dispose of it responsibly - if it’s not at salvageable and sale-able to someone else who will get use out of it.

Just because you can’t take it apart doesn’t mean they can’t.

Please get over this already and get your facts straight.

You don't seem to understand at all, not everyone prefers to trade-in and it's not a panacea to the problem of replacing faulty SSD, RAM.

Therefore, it is not only costly to fix it due to the terrible idea of soldered parts that supposed to be easily solved by OWNER.

 

[writevli]

Does anyone have a link to that wallpaper? preferably more than 4 - 5K Thanks!

 

[phenste]

I don’t need my screen going out after a couple years of use because I’m “using it wrong”

Just give us a decent retina display with a higher refresh rate

What?

When has anyone, Apple included, ever said a display failure is because you’re using it wrong?

How are MBP Retina displays not “decent?” Yeah, my brother’s $350 standalone 1440p 144hz is pretty great, but I don’t expect the same out of my laptop. I don’t see why anyone else would either.

 

[VPRunner]

Thats gonna be 10 years old in a couple years. It really does speak to the quality of Apples notebook line. I am seriously thinking about doing the same - 2025 MacBook Pro, here I come. 😁

You are so correct. My 2008 MBP 15” is still a great machine but I have to admit that if the 14” was released I would have opened my wallet. I know the screen is going to be a small increase but 13” going to 14” would be perfect. Plus my 15” I admit is pretty damn slow.