Last week Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, wrote a letter to customers and investors announcing that the company would change its environmental strategies, including changing all Mac’s to LED-backlit displays during 2007 in order to eliminate the use of mercury from the company’s products. Since this open letter was released various sources have already been speculating who will be manufacturing the displays and when customers can expect to see these new and improved devices on Apple’s store shelves.
AppleInsider is reporting that Apple Inc. has agreed to purchase parts from AU Optronics (AUO), Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), Coretronic and Kenmos Technology. AUO and CMO are believed to be having their samples of 13.3 and 15.4-inch panels certified by Apple, with shipments starting during the second or third quarter of 2007.
It has been reported that backlight unit (BLU) makers Coretronic and Kenmos are sending samples to be incorporated in the panels, with shipments arriving around the same time. Thus, it is believed that CMO has decided to adopt Kenmos’ LED BLUs for the panels it will ship to Apple. AppleInsdier also stated that Apple plans to use the LED V-cut light-guide panel technology from Japan’s Stanley Electric, which is a technology authorizer and major shareholder of Taiwan’s Kenmos.
