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BenQ goes for the kitchen sink approach with new line of 16:9 monitors
Never one to go half-way with a product line, BenQ has now filled out its G-series of LCD monitors with a full complement of 16:9 LCDs, including both 1080p and 720p models. Those range from the 23.6-inch G2410HD and 24-inch G2411HD/HDA, which each boast an Advanced Motion Accelerator that BenQ says improves response time and brightness, to the decidedly smaller 15.6-inch G610HDA and 18.5-inch G910HD/HDA models, which use a dual lamp system to conserve energy depending on the level of brightness needed. Complete specs on each model are otherwise a bit light, but you can apparently expect dynamic contrast ratios ranging from 10,000:1 to 40,000:1, response times of 2ms to 5ms, and DVI, HDMI ports, and built-in speakers on a few of 'em. No word on prices either, but they'll apparently start hitting China this month, with a "worldwide" rollout planned for later in the year.
12-inch not-Eee PC S101 followup expected this year
If you think ASUS has a lot of Eee PCs in its product portfolio then you should check out its laptop lineup sometime. Last we counted, ASUS was offering over 50 different models of laptops. Here's another: a rumored 12-inch, 16:9 aspect followup to the svelte 10.2-inch Eee PC S101. However, since this edges above Jerry Shen's maximum Eee PC size-threshold of 10-inches, the new slimster will be launched under ASUS' ZX-series and hopefully come packing something a bit heartier than say, an Atom processor. Only, with an expected NT$30,000 (about US$912) launch by year's end, we're forced to stubbornly let go of our hope to find a refreshed Core 2 Duo on the inside.
BenQ debuts a pair of 18.5-inch 16:9 LCDs, but not for you
We're having a hard time getting stoked about this whole 16:9 trend: the market adoption rate and consumer embrace is uncannily similar to 16:10, which makes us fear some impending heretofore unknown aspect ratio that will hit the scene in a few years and draw money directly out of our wallets for unneeded upgrades. Phew, it was good to get that off our chest. All of that naturally doesn't mean we can't be terribly jealous as Asia, Europe and Latin America get to eat up these new 18.5-inch 16:9 LCDs from BenQ, the high-end E900HD (pictured) and the simpler G900HD, while us North Americans have to sit around staring at our way-too-tall LCDs. BenQ also snubbed us on that 21.5-inch E2200HDA, so we're starting to notice a trend here. These new displays run a 1366 x 768 resolution, and feature an energy-saving backlight system, 10:000:1 dynamic ratios, 5ms response times, while the E900HD offers aesthetic improvements, speakers and a headphone jack. No price just yet, but these should be out this month.[Via Electronista]
Widescreen LCDs going widescreen by 2010
The term "widescreen" is one of the most notoriously confusing monikers (this side of Full HD) used to describe a display's specifications. Widescreen generally translates to a 16:10 aspect ratio when discussing computer LCDs (monitors or laptop displays) or 16:9 if you're talking about the living room TV. Of course, it can also refer to the 2.35:1 ratio often used for films or something entirely different if you're Apple touting the wonders of your new widescreen iPhone. Fortunately, we're trending towards at least some convergence around the 16:9 aspect. DisplaySearch predicts that by 2010, 16:9 panels will make up 90% of new laptop displays and 67% of new monitors. Acer has been at the forefront of this transition with products like its Gemstone Blue laptops and the Acer P224W monitor pictured above. The move is being driven by panel manufacturers' desire to maximize production efficiency -- something they should have realized before the glass sizes diverged in the first place. Regardless, the end result should be more pennies saved by you, Joe Consumer, and that's a good thing.
LG, AU Optronics said to be prepping 17.3-inch 16:9 LCD panels
As if we needed any more evidence that the 16:9 laptop bandwagon is already roaring right along, DigiTimes is now reporting that LG and AU Optronics are each readying some 17.3-inch panels boasting the increasingly common aspect ratio. If the usual unnamed "industry sources" are to be believed, those panels will supposedly be finding their way into laptops from Acer, Lenovo, Toshiba, and Asustek, among others, although it's not clear when those will actually be showing up. Somewhat interestingly, those same sources also say that Samsung has no plans to produce 17.3-inch panels of its own, although at the rate these various slight changes in sizes keep cropping up, we wouldn't be surprised if that situation changed sooner rather than later.[Via TG Daily]
LG said to be prepping 16:9 LCD panels for low-cost laptops
16:9 LCD panels designed for computer use aren't exactly all that uncommon, but this latest batch announced by LG will likely generate a bit more interest than most, especially given that they're apparently intended specifically for use in low-cost laptops. According to DigiTimes, LG will first roll out a standard 16:10 aspect ratio, 8.9-inch panel with a resolution of 1024 x 600 in August, which will then be followed by a 16:9, 10.1-inch panel with a 1024 x 576 resolution in October, and finally a 9.4-inch panel of unspecified resolution in April of 2009. Making things even more interesting is that some unspecified "industry sources" say the panels are "expected" to be adopted by Acer and HP for use with their low-cost laptops, and possibly Asustek as well, which will no doubt add plenty of fuel to the next round of Eee PC rumors.[Via Electronista]
