Mac Tablet Files: Rumored delay for the rumored device
DigiTimes stories are fun. They just are. Sometimes they provide insight into the components side of tech. Other times they make me wish I hadn't given up my dreams of writing fiction.Today, unnamed sources from unspecified component manufacturers say Apple is postponing the launch of its amazing wonder tablet, moving the date from next March to the second half of 2010. According to the shadowy sources, Apple has decided to switch some components, and now plans to produce a tablet using a 9.7" OLED panel from LG Display. The panels would be provided under Apple's five-year, US$500 million display deal with LG Display revealed at the beginning of the year.
The nameless talkers say construction of the devices will be done by three companies, and that there will be two, distinct units, the previously mentioned 9.7" OLED screened unit, and a 10.6" TFT LCD screened version. OLED's are very expensive compared to LCD displays, a cost that will be passed on to consumers. Sources figure the OLED tablet will have a retail price of about US$2,000, though that could come down with subsidies from telecom partners. The LCD unit with its 0.9" larger display is expected to be priced between US$800 and US$1,000.
There are advantages to OLED versus LCD displays, but would consumers pony up twice the money for an untried device when they can get a bigger screen at a lower cost?
Thanks to Paul for the tip.
[via DigiTimes]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Colin ZeteBOy said 8:45AM on 11-19-2009
I would think that us in Appleville would go for the more expensive higher tech version.
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Jordan said 9:59AM on 11-19-2009
I would hope you would think about the product first before buying it just because it was made by Apple. 2000 dollars is way too expensive for something we dont even know what it does. For all we know its just an ebook reader.
Snoopmayo said 9:47AM on 11-19-2009
Well yeah after many watched that Six Sense is coming out Open Source people Apple probably decided hm...maybe iTablet will not be a good idea after all?
Read it yesterday on mwd
http://bit.ly/4Blbqf
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Bernard Ramsey said 9:48AM on 11-19-2009
Wouldn't the switch to OLED and resulting price increase defeat the idea of reasonably priced ebook reader?
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Jamus said 10:00AM on 11-19-2009
I think it would be better for Apple to go for the less expensive but still good looking display so they could price it at a lower price point rather than try to go for OLED. Price is going to be a big issue with a tablet, and the last thing I want to see with one are tablets turning into a "subsidized" item sold through cell carriers.
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Doug McIntosh said 10:35AM on 11-19-2009
There are a few reasons that Apple would be considering an OLED display:
1. Battery Life: OLEDs are impressively low-power, compared with an LCD with an all-over LED backlight. That is because only the pixels that are "on" are drawing power. How this translates with the Mac look of mostly-white backgrounds for document windows is TBD.
2. Image quality: Although OLEDs are not as good at color-rendition (a fault of the rather primitive state of OLED controller chips more than the actual OLED technology itself, IMHO), due to their being a Lambertian source, they offer a nearly 180 degree viewing angle in both horizontal and vertical axes, with none of the "washout" that LCDs have off-axis.
3. Ruggedness: The military loves OLEDs because they are (relative to LCDs) quite rugged, physically.
4. Although I think it's a minor reason, Speed: OLED pixels are much faster at turning on and off than LCD pixels, so there is basically zero "smear" in moving images. This contributes to the "crispness" of the display, and makes it more suitable for gaming/video.
5. Thickness: When every millimeter counts, OLEDs are hands-down the thinnest displays around. This also saves on weight. Glass is heavy.
6. Cool factor: MS's "Courier" bi-fold device is rumored to use OLED displays. Apple doesn't want to introduce something with "yesterday's" display tech, if MS is jumping on the OLED bandwagon.
7. Cool factor: LED backlights, in addition to being current-hogs, are HOT. OLEDs are not.
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jb510 said 10:41AM on 11-19-2009
Well framed article... I was a bit annoyed with macrumors posting of it, but at least this points out the increduility of it all.
I heard it was going to have a roll up. eInk screen from a guy in Fresno that knew a guy tlwhose wife worked at an apple store.
Personally I hope there is no subsidized price with 3g contract garbage on this thing. From what I envision it to be I'd use it around the house far
ore then out on the road.
Further who WANTS an OLED screen? Every one I've ever seen or used is faded or burned in atlfter a year or two... Maybe apple will make it with a user replacable screen? Maybe you get free yearly screen replacements with a 3G contract?
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Rusty Boyer said 11:17AM on 11-19-2009
Another nail in the coffin for this absurdly over-hyped rumor.
Every time we get more "inside information" on this device, it becomes more and more of a dog.
A 10 inch "media pad", running the highly restrictive iPhone OS that will cost the same as a top-of-the-line laptop, plus the cost of a second wireless service contract?
No thanks.
Also, you can keep your OLED. As mentioned by jb510, the current generation of OLED's burn in and burn out fast.
That is of course if this device ever appears as rumored, which I highly doubt.
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Bertil Holmberg said 12:01PM on 11-19-2009
Why do so many keep repeating the highly impractical 10 inch tablet rumor?
The prospective customer may use an iPhone and a Kindle, that is one device too many. Combine these and you see what a reasonable tablet will look like.
Above all, it should fit in a pocket or a handbag, not require a padded bag or backpack. A large coffee table tablet might be cool but it would not sell.
In addition, a moderately sized device could carry a reasonable price, maybe even $399 iPod fashion, or perhaps $599 with 3G.
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ianlive said 12:33PM on 11-19-2009
Speaking of Apple's use of LG displays, why is it that no matter how many other companies displays I test drive, none look as sharp and colour accurate as Apple's.
My question here is that if LG is actually the display maker for Apple, why are LG's displays not as good (IMO) as Apples? Why would LG hold back on tech they clearly are capable of producing?
Does this seem strange to anyone else?
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brian said 1:23PM on 11-19-2009
Anybody with a brain will say "I'll believe it when I see it" about the Apple tablet. How many of these stories have we seen? How many have even had the "proof" of supposed agreements with hardware partners? And still, a few dozen days from 2010, and no tablet. I'm not saying it'll never happen, but we've seen so many of these "No, really, this time FOR SURE!" stories that it's becoming worse than "This is the most secure version of Windows yet!"
http://it.slashdot.org/story/09/11/16/0113249/The-First-Windows-7-Zero-Day-Exploit
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iSlate said 8:32PM on 11-22-2009
Im sure it will be worth the wait since Steve Jobs has made this his personal project. islate.org
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MacFan said 7:04AM on 11-24-2009
The Mactablet is going to have 2 screens with an OLED one on the outside and a TFT one on the inside - it looks like its going to be a normal laptop and a tablet mac. I found this info on www.mactablet.co.uk There are pictures of it too!
Reading through their article it appears that Apple would like to keep the market for the Laptop form factor aswell as a Tablet and of course this does make perfect sense.
It will be interesting to see how this evolves
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MacFan said 7:07AM on 11-24-2009
The Mactablet is going to have 2 screens with an OLED one on the outside and a TFT one on the inside - it looks like its going to be a normal laptop and a tablet mac. I found this info on http://www.mactablet.co.uk There are pictures of it too!
Reading through their article it appears that Apple would like to keep the market for the Laptop form factor aswell as a Tablet and of course this does make perfect sense.
It will be interesting to see how this evolves
Reply