Reiterating a prediction he shared in April, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Apple plans to release high-end iPad and MacBook models with Mini-LED displays between late 2020 and mid 2021.
In a research note for TF International Securities, seen by MacRumors, Kuo added that the iPad and MacBook displays will each use approximately 10,000 LEDs, compared to 576 in Apple’s upcoming Pro Display XDR. Each LED is said to be below 200 microns in size, significantly smaller than those in the Pro Display XDR.
Kuo previously said the iPad and MacBook models will have 10-12 inch and 15-17 inch display sizes respectively, and he also expects them to be high-end devices due to costly Mini-LED display components.
Kuo believes Mini-LED is Apple’s first choice to avoid [OLED] burn-in issues and to reduce its dependance on Samsung for supply of OLED displays.
MacDailyNews Take: If Ming-Chi Kuo didn’t exist, we’d have to invent him.
They go on to state: Apple plans to release the iPad between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, followed by the MacBook between the first quarter and second quarter of 2021, according to Kuo.
Hmmm… The Mac Pro Display XDR uses only 576 LEDs. That’s a bit grainy for my taste. 🙂
The LEDs are used for the backlight, not the LCD pixels. The magic is all in the liquid crystal switching. Nice evolution but still a long way off from the holy grail of direct pixel control with no backlighting necessary.
Does this mean there is no new MacBook Pro this year?
Apparently not…
Apple is still widely expected to unveil a new high-end 16-inch MacBook Pro as soon as later next month. This new Apple laptop is expected to feature an all-new design, slimmer bezels, a new scissor-switch keyboard, the return of the physical escape key, and other changes aimed at satisfying the pro market. It would be Apple’s first laptop to drop the notorious butterfly keyboard, with Apple expected to transition all of its laptops to the new scissor switch design next year.