Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
there was no 3.5" screen with that res till a few months ago either ;)
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148a Safari/6533.18.5)

Such anger on the topic. I think there will be an upgraded display for the next gen what it will be called reLly does not matter to me.
 
Seeing as how much trouble a res change would cause now.

And no other tablets are boasting a higher res screen than the current iPad.

I really really don't expect any res change on the next model.

Feel free to tell me I'm wrong, when we know for sure :)

I'd love to be wrong :D
 
A retina display on the iPad fails pretty hard by these standards. It would cost a lot. It would suck up more power in itself. It would require beefier CPU/GPU to run, sucking more battery life, and possibly making the product thicker or run hotter. And developers would have to do more work to add even higher resolution imagery, and you fragment the user base by having some applications that won't be able to run on the older, less-beefy-CPU hardware.
I think you're overestimating the impact of these issues. Cost is anyone's guess, so I agree this may be a potential blocker. But technology is constantly evolving. The iPhone 4's Retina Display is more power efficient than the earlier panels despite having a higher resolution. There's still a lot of potential in better screen tech. GPUs are also getting more efficient, so are chip manufacturing processes. And not every app would have to immediately use the higher resolution.

Apple will increase the resolution at some point, whether that is next year or in five generations. Waiting will only delay any possible fragmentation issues, but they will inevitably come.

The 3GS doesn't even use the same chipset as the iPad. ~623 MHz vs. 1.1 GHz. Also, don't forget the $2,000 you'll spend to buy new graphics cards.
I didn't mention the SoC, I said it has the same GPU: PowerVR SGX535.

The price for an applications processor with high-end embedded GPU is in the low double-digits. The comparison to a pair of ultra-expensive dual-GPU graphics cards is irrelevant since the iPad isn't going to run PC games.
 
Apple just released MacBook air 13 inch with 1440 x 990 resolution. Apple will probably bring the resolution higher but it won't be 300 pixel per inch.
 
I'd rather get some cool new screen technology. Like a captive screen that can register press sensitivity, 1:1 ratio of perfect accuracy, or some crazy antiglare coating for glossy displays or something.


Besides you have to take into account how close your phone is compared to the iPad in daily use. you hold it almost twice as far away so pixel density shouldn't have to be as thick for it to achieve similar results.
 
Currently the app store supports:

Older gen Ipod touch and Iphones (480 x 320)
Latest gen Ipod touch and Iphones (960 x 640)

Latest gen Ipad (1024 x 768)

I see there is an argument that "If apple implement a new resolution it will fragment the market". Well the market is doing fine just now post IP4 release so how does that argument make any sense?

Apps download to iphones old and new are seamless and work - it will be the same for the ipad should the resolution be improved.
 
Currently the app store supports:

Older gen Ipod touch and Iphones (480 x 320)
Latest gen Ipod touch and Iphones (960 x 640)

Latest gen Ipad (1024 x 768)

I see there is an argument that "If apple implement a new resolution it will fragment the market". Well the market is doing fine just now post IP4 release so how does that argument make any sense?

Apps download to iphones old and new are seamless and work - it will be the same for the ipad should the resolution be improved.
Not the same scenario as what happened with the iPhone.

The iPhone 4's screen resolution was doubled and iOS automatically scales the apps, only HD images are required from the developer, if Apple does the same with the iPad the scenario would be the same with it too.

However, the part about fragmenting the market is about increasing the resolution by anything that isn't an increment of the original resolution, which would prevent scaling from working -- so a developer would need to support both iPad 1 and 2, rather than just supplying HD images.
 
Of course, I guess Apple could move away totally from any bitmapped graphics and totally over to vector based graphics.

Then they could change the screen res to anything they liked at any time and everything would always look 100% perfect. :)
 
Of course, I guess Apple could move away totally from any bitmapped graphics and totally over to vector based graphics.

Then they could change the screen res to anything they liked at any time and everything would always look 100% perfect. :)
Not quite, that isn't the problem.

If Apple uses any resolution that isn't an increment of the original (2x, 3x, etc.) then you'll have problems scaling. As an example, say you've a control with uneven dimensions like 101x101 and the screen of the iPad is 1536x1152 (50% more than current), when scaled by 1.5x you get dimensions of 151.5x151.5 which just can't happen.
 
"rockchip CPU"

Yeh, I don't see the ipad getting a retina display anytime soon...

If Apple betters the pixel density without at least doubling it both ways, that would mess up the resolution of the previous gen apps.

Alright, that's exactly the issue I am grappling with. Essentially, Apple has spoiled us with the retina display (and other competitors who've made high-res displays before and after), so when I look at the iPad now, I worry that it will soon be replaced with a higher/different size display. Thurrott warns that now is the worst time to ever purchase a slate tablet, but I'm in the market for one, as you might expect.

So, I've been comparing various products. Curiously, this one is on the forefront of my mind "7 Touch Tablet Internet Media Player 2Gb Google Android Os - ROCKCHIP CPU" because of it's ridiculously low price ($209.99) & relatively good reviews. For whatever reason I can't link directly to it on storecomparison.net but you can find it on Amazon. The specs are...

Operating system: Google Android OS
RAM: 128MB SDROM
CPU: RockChip2808 600MHZ + 600Mhz DSP
Storage 4GB: Built in 2GB HDD plus 2GB T Flash Card
Wifi: 802.11b/g
Display: 7 inch touch screen (800X480)
Support TF card (up to 32GB)
Support google map
Camera: 0.3M pixels

So, it seems like the screen actually has lower pixels than the iPad, but it's smaller... & has a camera built in. 32GB capacity, not exactly sure what the "TF" card is, but I assume it's just some proprietary version of SD. Good idea, or just wait for :apple:iPad2:apple:?
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Not quite, that isn't the problem.

If Apple uses any resolution that isn't an increment of the original (2x, 3x, etc.) then you'll have problems scaling. As an example, say you've a control with uneven dimensions like 101x101 and the screen of the iPad is 1536x1152 (50% more than current), when scaled by 1.5x you get dimensions of 151.5x151.5 which just can't happen.

Not if you use a totally vector based graphics system.

As you are no doubt aware, there are two ways of doing graphics Bitmapped and Vector

Adobe Photoshop = bitmapped
Adobe Illustrator = vector.

I believe the icons on the Mac are vector as are modern typefaces so that you can scale them to any size you like and they always remain smooth with no jaggies at any size.

As then all a graphic is, is a set of mathematical coords and curve instructions.

I think someone said, SOME of the iPads graphics elements are vector based, but not all of them.

This is how we can change monitors on PC's and Mac's and games, fonts etc all look at their full detail despite any variety of different screen resolutions.
 
Not if you use a totally vector based graphics system.

As you are no doubt aware, there are two ways of doing graphics Bitmapped and Vector

Adobe Photoshop = bitmapped
Adobe Illustrator = vector.

I believe the icons on the Mac are vector as are modern typefaces so that you can scale them to any size you like and they always remain smooth with no jaggies at any size.

As then all a graphic is, is a set of mathematical coords and curve instructions.

I think someone said, SOME of the iPads graphics elements are vector based, but not all of them.

This is how we can change monitors on PC's and Mac's and games, fonts etc all look at their full detail despite any variety of different screen resolutions.
It's not about whether the graphics are smooth or not, you just can't have a half pixel.

What happens to a button that is 101x31 pixels on iPad 1, but is scaled to 151.5x45.5 on 2... you can't ever use half a pixel, so it either needs to exceed its bounds by half a pixel, or be rounded down, either way it won't look right, or as intended.

EDIT: Picture this:

An iPad app with a white background and a large black box that has 200 width and 768 height (no status bar) and is against the very right side of the screen, now imagine a button 101 width (31 height) with its right side pressed against the black box; when scaled up 50%, the black box will look exactly as intended, but on the right side of the button will be either a gap because it's rounded down, or an extra pixel because it will be rounded up. Whatever it scales to has to be an integer multiple of the original resolution.
 
Last edited:
It's not about whether the graphics are smooth or not, you just can't have a half pixel.

What happens to a button that is 101x31 pixels on iPad 1, but is scaled to 151.5x45.5 on 2... you can't ever use half a pixel, so it either needs to exceed its bounds by half a pixel, or be rounded down, either way it won't look right, or as intended.

Very true in that you indeed can't have half a pixel.

I suspect a couple of things are at play here with modern vector graphics, like for example the latest Windows and Mac icons which are lovely vector graphics.

1: The screen res is quite high to start with so there area nice lot of pixels.
2: Sub pixels are used cleverly to smooth things when as you say things step over a 1 pixel line.

Like the way Windows uses coloured sub pixels around the edges of on screen characters to smooth them out.

Which, by the way is a BIG problem for the iPad as this type of smoothing only works in one direction and as the iPad can be used in portrait or landscape it has a problem so I believe.
 
The retina display is based on the pixels per inch, but it is also a function of the viewing distance from the screen. For example the retina display on the iPhone is based on a viewing distance of 10 inches. The viewing distance for the iPad is probably more like 18 inches. This difference in viewing distance will reduce the number of pixels per inch required for a retina display on the iPad.

If anyone has seen the new 11 inch macbook air the 1366 x 768 display on it is close to being retina from a normal viewing distance (aka you cannot discern individual pixel). Seeing that the iPad has an even smaller screen a similar resolution could produce the retina effect.

I've been thinking about this and I think I've found the optimal resolution for iiPad. If you increase the amount of vertical and horizontal pixels both by 25% you'll end up with a resolution of 1280 by 960. If you think about this resolution it has many benefits. First off, Apple could boast that there are 50% more pixels than on the original iPad. Secondly, if apple ever wanted to do such a thing, they could run two native iPhone retina apps side by side on the iPad, (which i think would be very cool and a new level in multitasking). And third, this is a feasible resolution for an A4 processor to put out.

Let me know what you think, but I have a feeling you'll be seeing this resolution the next time apple decides to upgrade the screen. :)
 
I find myself using the devices at quite a wide range of distances. Approximately 7-14" for the iPhone 4 and 8-18" for the iPad, depending on where I am and what I'm using it for. Yes, 8" is quite close and not the typical distance, but it's also not that unusual if you're reading in bed. In those circumstances the lack of resolution really shows, and a 25% increase won't solve that problem.
 
I've been thinking about this and I think I've found the optimal resolution for iiPad. If you increase the amount of vertical and horizontal pixels both by 25% you'll end up with a resolution of 1280 by 960. If you think about this resolution it has many benefits. First off, Apple could boast that there are 50% more pixels than on the original iPad. Secondly, if apple ever wanted to do such a thing, they could run two native iPhone retina apps side by side on the iPad, (which i think would be very cool and a new level in multitasking). And third, this is a feasible resolution for an A4 processor to put out.

Let me know what you think, but I have a feeling you'll be seeing this resolution the next time apple decides to upgrade the screen. :)

This is the one of the most interesting ideas I've read on this board.
 
Looks like Apple should have planned ahead and scaled display elements like Android. Short sightedness chains display resolution to 2x jumps and/or to current available technology.

Rubin talks a little bit about this at his most recent interview at All things D.
 
Retina display on iPad 2: not possible

The ppi for the standard of "retina" would be virtually impossible.
It's not coming.
This is only the 1st gen iPad, so if retina did theoretically come, devs would pretty much drop support for the original iPad altogether, because all future graphic sets would rely on retina standard.
There will be no resolution bump, sorry to burst your bubble.
 
except that they made the transition on iphone successfully. devs wouldn't have to drop support for anything, it just means they are able to yield better graphics. if your a 1st gen user you are only limited by the ipads physical limits on the same app.

easy. it's coming.
 
While I'm pretty much convinced that the iPad2 will not have a 300+ ppi on it's screen, it will come. Graphics processing power is pretty much ready for it with the coming of the next gen mobile GPU's. Word is that Samsung's new mobile SOC "Orion" has a 5 times more powerful GPU than it's current Hummingbird SOC (using the PowerVR SGX540). Also, who knew Apple had the iPhone4 "Retina" display technology ready for the iPhone4, came as a shocker to me after spending years on ****** resolutions (while perfectly fine at the time).

Nothing is impossible, well, maybe 1 thing is impossible, Apple fanboys shutting up about their gadgets.
 
Don't want to pour petrol on the flames, but where are the substantiated rumours that there will be a resolution bump of any sort to the iPad in the next iteration?
 
The ppi for the standard of "retina" would be virtually impossible.
It's not coming.
This is only the 1st gen iPad, so if retina did theoretically come, devs would pretty much drop support for the original iPad altogether, because all future graphic sets would rely on retina standard.
There will be no resolution bump, sorry to burst your bubble.

I am sure that the iPad2 will not have it but NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.