Mac-bound Retina displays will cost Apple a $92 premium from suppliers
LCD screens capable of becoming Retina displays for Apple's next-generation Macs are currently available in the supply chain, but they come at a premium as high as $92 over regular screens.
DisplaySearch Senior Analyst Richard Shim told CNet that super-high-resolution 13.3-inch and 15.4-inch screens are already available from LCD suppliers. But a Retina-quality screen for Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro would cost $160 from suppliers, as opposed to $68 for current, standard-resolution screens.
Similarly, with a 13.3-inch display, a Retina-caliber screen is $134, while the LCD panels Apple currently uses are estimated to cost $69.
If Apple does in fact add Retina displays to its future Macs, as is expected, it's unknown whether the cost of these high-resolution screens would be passed on to the consumer. Apple upgraded its iPhone, iPod touch and iPad product lineups to Retina displays without increasing the price.
The screens DisplaySearch says are available that would be ideal for Apple's next-generation MacBook Pros are a 15.4-inch panel with a resolution of 2,880 by 1,800 pixels, or 220 pixels per inch, and a 13.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,600 pixels, or 227 pixels per inch. Each would add at least 100 pixels per inch to their respective MacBook Pro models.
Numerous reports have indicated Apple will introduce new, thinner MacBook Pros at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Those new professional notebooks are expected to include Retina display-like screens that will be driven by Intel's latest-generation Ivy Bridge processors.
The new MacBook Pros are expected to follow in the footsteps of Apple's popular MacBook Air lineup by ditching built-in optical drives and adding flash memory for faster performance and greater reliability.
It has also been reported that Apple will update its all-in-one desktop line of iMacs at WWDC when it kicks off June 11. The new iMacs are also expected to have high-resolution Retina displays, but potential screens for the desktop were not highlighted by DisplaySearch.
In addition, DisplaySearch did not specifically identify any potential Retina display LCDs for a 17-inch MacBook Pro. One prediction published in April suggested Apple would discontinue its 17-inch MacBook Pro, leaving only the 13- and 15-inch models.
DisplaySearch Senior Analyst Richard Shim told CNet that super-high-resolution 13.3-inch and 15.4-inch screens are already available from LCD suppliers. But a Retina-quality screen for Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro would cost $160 from suppliers, as opposed to $68 for current, standard-resolution screens.
Similarly, with a 13.3-inch display, a Retina-caliber screen is $134, while the LCD panels Apple currently uses are estimated to cost $69.
If Apple does in fact add Retina displays to its future Macs, as is expected, it's unknown whether the cost of these high-resolution screens would be passed on to the consumer. Apple upgraded its iPhone, iPod touch and iPad product lineups to Retina displays without increasing the price.
The screens DisplaySearch says are available that would be ideal for Apple's next-generation MacBook Pros are a 15.4-inch panel with a resolution of 2,880 by 1,800 pixels, or 220 pixels per inch, and a 13.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,600 pixels, or 227 pixels per inch. Each would add at least 100 pixels per inch to their respective MacBook Pro models.
Numerous reports have indicated Apple will introduce new, thinner MacBook Pros at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Those new professional notebooks are expected to include Retina display-like screens that will be driven by Intel's latest-generation Ivy Bridge processors.
The new MacBook Pros are expected to follow in the footsteps of Apple's popular MacBook Air lineup by ditching built-in optical drives and adding flash memory for faster performance and greater reliability.
It has also been reported that Apple will update its all-in-one desktop line of iMacs at WWDC when it kicks off June 11. The new iMacs are also expected to have high-resolution Retina displays, but potential screens for the desktop were not highlighted by DisplaySearch.
In addition, DisplaySearch did not specifically identify any potential Retina display LCDs for a 17-inch MacBook Pro. One prediction published in April suggested Apple would discontinue its 17-inch MacBook Pro, leaving only the 13- and 15-inch models.
Comments
Finally, some supply rumors. This should help the skeptics who say no Retina line until 2013 for Macs. I may be a dupe, but at this point I can't imagine there not being Retina displays in all the new MacBooks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by johndoe98
Finally, some supply rumors. This should help the skeptics who say no Retina line until 2013 for Macs. I may be a dupe, but at this point I can't imagine there not being Retina displays in all the new MacBooks.
Not all, just as not all iPads have Retina displays.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsimpsen
Not all, just as not all iPads have Retina displays.
I said all new MacBooks. All new iPads are Retina.
Quote:
Originally Posted by johndoe98
This should help the skeptics who say no Retina line until 2013 for Macs. I may be a dupe, but at this point I can't imagine there not being Retina displays in all the new MacBooks.
I still don't believe it. I want leaked panel images before I'll consider it. Do people really think that 11" 2732x1536 and 13" 2880x1800 displays would be able to stay under our radar for this long, particularly if the machines using them are being released in just three weeks, much less 15" 2880x1800 displays.
Quote:
Originally Posted by johndoe98
Finally, some supply rumors. This should help the skeptics who say no Retina line until 2013 for Macs. I may be a dupe, but at this point I can't imagine there not being Retina displays in all the new MacBooks.
I'm wondering more about battery life and heat. If the cost difference really is that low, and all else being equal, I can't see leaving Retina out either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
I still don't believe it. I want leaked panel images before I'll consider it. Do people really think that 11" 2732x1536 and 13" 2880x1800 displays would be able to stay under our radar for this long, particularly if the machines using them are being released in just three weeks, much less 15" 2880x1800 displays.
Is WWDC only three weeks away now? I hadn't even realized! That sends shivers down my spine. Of course, it could just be that the air conditioning is over-acting, but I like to believe it's anticipation.
As ever, Apple will buy in bulk and drive down the price.
Quote:
Originally Posted by johndoe98
Finally, some supply rumors. This should help the skeptics who say no Retina line until 2013 for Macs. I may be a dupe, but at this point I can't imagine there not being Retina displays in all the new MacBooks.
So this rumor would neatly dovetail into the notion of a 4K "Retina-style" Apple TV, yes?
Retinas seem more likely to be an extra-cost option, because hi-res displays have been that way for years and (I would imagine) producing retina displays in high volume may be difficult. By making retinas optional, demand will be reduced such that supply can maintain pace, and Apple will still reap the reward of being first to market.
btw: the current iPad 2 has an old name but is new, as it contains an updated A5 processor.
Can you imagine Dell or HP trying to keep up with this move from Apple? This will create a 3-4 year advantage to Apple. It's a home run
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpamSandwich
So this rumor would neatly dovetail into the notion of a 4K "Retina-style" Apple TV, yes?
No, 1080p HD TVs are already Retina, there would be no point in a 4k Apple TV other than stat inflation which Apple is not in the habit of doing. 4K ACDs, perhaps, TVs, no way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cpsro
btw: the current iPad 2 has an old name but is new, as it contains an updated A5 processor.
Your powers of anal retention are unsurpassed. You know what the poster meant.
.......
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichL
As ever, Apple will buy in bulk and drive down the price.
Thanks for the first correct response.
Quote:
Originally Posted by johndoe98
No, 1080p HD TVs are already Retina, there would be no point in a 4k Apple TV other than stat inflation which Apple is not in the habit of doing. 4K ACDs, perhaps, TVs, no way.
"1080p HD TVs are already Retina?" Wouldn't that depend on the size of the HD TV?
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
"1080p HD TVs are already Retina?" Wouldn't that depend on the size of the HD TV?
Pick a size and we'll check. I'll bet each one turns out to be Retina.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cpsro
btw: the current iPad 2 has an old name but is new, as it contains an updated A5 processor.
Only some.
And the viewing distance, as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Do people really think that 11" 2732x1536 and 13" 2880x1800 displays would be able to stay under our radar for this long, particularly if the machines using them are being released in just three weeks...
Not to nitpick, but "announced" or "introduced"...
versus "released"?
Not quite the same thing for Apple, sometimes by 6-8 weeks, isn't it?
Or am I remembering iPad wrong?
Quote:
Originally Posted by boredumb
Not to nitpick, but "announced" or "introduced"...
versus "released"?
Not quite the same thing for Apple, sometimes by 6-8 weeks, isn't it?
Or am I remembering iPad wrong?
iPad, sure. When they weren't already selling a product in that field. Apple will not announce a new computer unless you can buy it that day.