18-inch LCDs in works, coming to Acer first
updated 09:05 am EST, Fri December 28, 2007
18-inch LCD Panels
LCD maker Chunghwa Picture Tubes today revealed that a new panel is in the works that could affect the designs of both desktop and notebook displays. Measuring 18.4 inches, the display will sit between 17- and 19-inch LCDs in cost but will adopt a wider, HDTV-like 1366x768 resolution versus the taller pictures of its smaller and larger models. The screen will be designed for distance viewing and will boast a relatively high 1,000:1 contrast ratio and 5ms pixel response time, Chunghwa claims.
The larger display can be used for desktops but will be used for desktop replacement notebooks -- including a future Acer system, the LCD producer says. Though too early for most details, the system will combine both Intel's new mobile Penryn processors with the upcoming Montevina platform and will be aimed at high-end buyers with a $2,000 price target. The cost hints at likely dedicated graphics and a large amount of storage.
Other companies are in talks that may see the 18.4-inch LCD in use for other desktop displays or notebooks, according to claims inside the industry.
Production of the screens will start towards late spring 2008, pushing releases themselves into the summer; Montevina will not be ready until the same period and dictates a release in the second half of the year for Acer's notebook.
TV
12/28, 09:28am reply
If these are designed for distance viewing, then their primary purpose must be for televisions, not computer displays.
njfuzzy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2001
Huh!
12/28, 09:56am reply
Measuring 18.4 inches, the display will sit between 17- and 19-inch LCDs in cost but will adopt a wider, HDTV-like 1366x768 resolution ...
This monitor has the same resolution as virtually every 720p HDTV display sold today. This makes it HDTV, not "HDTV-like."
njfuzzy is correct about the purpose of these displays. They have the same pixel-density as a 16:10 Samsung 20" monitor in the 16:9 HDTV aspect ratio. Primarily, these monitors will be used in high-quality small digital TV sets.
MacScientist
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Joined: Feb 2000
Me too!
12/28, 10:24am reply
Like njfuzzy and macscientist, I expect these to be TV bound, rather than computer bound. 1366x768 is a lower resolution than even the Macbook Pro 15" screen. It is, however, higher than the standard 19" desktop display, so while it may be desktop bound, it's almost certainly not going to show up in a laptop.
Unless, that is, there's a market for the geriatric set with poor eyes but still firm enough to lug around an 18" laptop.
jimothy
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Joined: Sep 2000
yup...
12/28, 10:39am reply
...agreed. Destined for TVs... or really crappy monitors ;)
Why would I want to have an 18" display with a resolution lower than a current 15.4"?!
lockhartt
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Joined: Apr 2000