High pixel density displays expected to reach notebooks by 2013

While rumors of retina-display equipped MacBooks have been circulating for a while, nothing has yet been officially announced. However, with the new iPad featuring a 2048x1536 resolution on its 9.7” screen, it’s probably time for notebooks and desktops to get some high-resolution action.

Thankfully, Intel seems to be of the same mindset, at least according to a presentation caught by Lilliputing. In the presentation, Intel expects rich displays to be available starting 2013, including 3840x2160 resolutions for 21” displays and 2560x1440 pixels for 11” displays. 

While the 250 Pixels-per-Inch (PPI) for the 11” displays and the 220 PPI for the 21 inchers aren’t as dense as the iPhone's 326 PPI or even the new iPad's 264 PPI, the displays could still fall within “Retina” standards. This is due to the fact that laptops and large displays are viewed from a farther distance, and as such a lower PPI will still end up with pixels unrecognizable to the naked eye.

The expected improvements in display technology are definitely an exciting step forward, but without the necessary supporting hardware and software they might not end up in use. Thankfully, the upcoming Windows 8 should help support higher-resolution displays, and Intel’s Ivy Bridge processors could provide enough energy efficiency to keep the lights on.

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