Apple's launch of the ultra-thin MacBook Air notebook, which features a 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display, is expected to help push the growth of LED-backlighting applications, according to sources at Taiwan-based LED makers.
The sources indicated that the actual thickness of the backlighting panel used in the new Apple notebook has yet to be revealed. Market rumors indicated that Apple reportedly asked for display panels with a thickness of less than 0.6cm, but the thickness of LED-backlit panels currently produced by most Taiwan-based makers measure between 0.6-0.8cm, the sources noted.
With the increasing popularity of LED-backlighting applications, some Taiwan panel makers have begun developing LED-backlit panels in 0.4-0.6cm thickness, said the sources.
LED-backlit notebooks are expected to account for 15% of global notebook shipments in 2008, estimated the sources.