Apple LED-backlit Laptops?

Look what was posted on engadget...Looks interesting. Would love one of those in MBP

While nobody really knows what Mr. Jobs has planned for next week's Macworld keynote, DigiTimes has a report claiming that LED-backlit laptops are coming down the pike, and if true, will be hitting more than MacBook Pros. According to a rather sure-sounding account, Apple and HP are both aiming to launch lappies in the second quarter of this year with LED-based LCD panels. Purportedly aimed to showcase the sexy interfaces that await us in Windows Vista and OS X 10.5, the screens would be derived from suppliers such as "Nichia or Cree" and tout a "brightness level of over 1,680 nits." Additionally, no model names were handed out as potential candidates for the LED upgrade, but with refreshed laptop models from both firms essentially sure to hit within a matter of months, it wouldn't be too surprising to see such upgrades make the cut. Nevertheless, we've seen our fair share of certainties turn out bogus, so per usual, we'd recommend a healthy dose of table salt with this one as well.

What do you think??

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/03/apple-and-hp-readying-led-backlit-laptops/

Sorry forgot the link....

...what does an LED display mean? how is it different from the current ones?

Take this, stupid caps filter >=( OLED

That would be cool. LED's have come a long way ( and hopefully have a long way to go!) I wonder how much power that would save.

Makes perfect sense. The Apple logo in the New Year teaser is of course LED backlit.

Hmm, it is Digitimes, so it almost certainly *won't* happen ;).

...what does an LED display mean? how is it different from the current ones?

Instead of a traditional power-devouring backlight, the laptops would use more energy-conscious LEDs to backlight the displays... possibly something similar to those super-bright white LEDs...

The only thing though... Last I checked, for the most part, LEDs only have two settings: on or off. What about different brightness settings? This would not work with LEDs alone... maybe it would with the help of some sort of aperture... but reducing brightness with such a device would not conserve battery life.

-Clive

...what does an LED display mean? how is it different from the current ones?

Many current displays use flourescent backlights (cold cathode fluorescent lamp to be precise). The backlight is the most significant power drain in a LCD display, which is why laptop users who turn down their display brightness tend to get better battery life.

Since LED's traditionally use much less power than other light sources, using it as a backlight would cut the power needed to display images. It's been known that LED backlighting has been an up-and-coming technology, but this is the first time its been attributed to Apple.

That being said, the attribution is being done by Digitimes, so don't get your hopes up.

More info on backlights in LCDs.

Instead of a traditional power-devouring backlight, the laptops would use more energy-conscious LEDs to backlight the displays... possibly something similar to those super-bright white LEDs...

The only thing though... Last I checked, for the most part, LEDs only have two settings: on or off. What about different brightness settings? This would not work with LEDs alone... maybe it would with the help of some sort of aperture... but reducing brightness with such a device would not conserve battery life.

-Clive

Not entirely true. A brightness setting is simulated in LEDs by chopping the voltage. Rapidly switching from the full 5v to 0v at 60hz can produce half-intensity light, and so on...

I wonder if this will make them daylight readable.

That being said, the attribution is being done by Digitimes, so don't get your hopes up.

More info on backlights in LCDs.

But surely this will be the shape of things to come? PC laptops are already starting to get this technology, Apple doesn't follow like a dog, they are supposed to lead.