Apple Might Not Be Able To Ship A Retina Display iPad Until The iPad 4

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Believe the rumors that we’ll be seeing a Retina Display iPad 2 HD in October of this year? Don’t believe those rumors, but still think Apple’s bound to put a Retina Display in the iPad 3?

It might be time to think again: it’s looking unlikely that Retina Display panels suitable for the iPad will be produced in sufficient quantities until the iPad 4.

According to an analysis by Digitimes, it’s unlikely that 10.1 tablet display panels will reach HD resolutions until the second half of 2012… and even then, there won’t be enough of them to have enough for a major tablet launch.

The iPad, of course, uses a 9.7-inch display, which is a different beast, but still presents many of the same challenges.

Of course, resolution isn’t everything, and there’s a lot of other ways that Apple can improve the iPad’s display without doubling the resolution. Right now, display makers are working on decreasing thickness and power consumption, while also maxing out multitouch support to allow for more than 10 fingers simultaneously.

Either way, unless Apple’s got a surprise up their sleeves, it doesn’t look likely that we’ll see an iPad 2 HD this year… and I’d say it’s equally questionable whether they’ll get a Retina Display together in time for the iPad 3.

[via 9to5Mac]

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