HP Announces ProBook Series Notebooks

[Jerry Jackson]

I disagree. It a joint decision by both LCD manufacturers and OEMs. The OEMs will tolerate whatever the LCD manufacturers tell them so long as it does not cut into notebook sales. But when consumers start favoring the 16:10 ratio, the notebooks OEMs will pay a higher price to get 16:10 screens.

Not going to happen ... at least not according to EVERY notebook manufacturer we've spoken to.

You are correct in the assumption that if enough notebook manufacturers demanded it, the LCD panel fabricators/OEMs would supply 16:10 (or even 4:3) ratio screens ... but it will ONLY happen at a substantial increase in cost.

The LCD manufacturers have all teamed up to support 16:9 since it gives them the best profit margins for production of both HDTVs of various sizes and notebook/desktop LCDs. Sure, they could retool/adjust their production for different screen ratios ... but they'll make notebook manufacturers pay an arm and a leg for it.

Profit margins are already unbelievably thin for notebook manufacturers, so none of them are embracing the idea of pay 4+ times the cost of the 16:9 screen just to get a 16:10 screen.

At this point, 16:10 ratio screens are on their way out. In fact, there was already a recent news story about the fact that notebooks with 16:10 ratio screens are basically just being cleaned out of existing inventories and soon we'll be seeing nothing but 16:9 screens of various sizes.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5005

I suppose if enough consumers band together and tell notebook manufacturers that they're willing to pay more for a notebook with a 16:10 screen then we might see them again. But let's get serious ... consumers aren't exactly standing in line to pay MORE for computers right now.

[Don Quixote]

I agree with Jerry. Expecting screen other than 16:9 does not look realistic at least for a foreseeable future. I think it is more realistic to wait for laptops with swivel displays at affordable price.

[MidnightSun]

I disagree. It a joint decision by both LCD manufacturers and OEMs. The OEMs will tolerate whatever the LCD manufacturers tell them so long as it does not cut into notebook sales. But when consumers start favoring the 16:10 ratio, the notebooks OEMs will pay a higher price to get 16:10 screens.

Yeah, that's true, but consumers will have no choice if there's a 100% switch to 16:9, which is what will happen in the next year or so. Also keep in mind that the bulk of business users do not actually mind 16:9 too much.

[vkeven]

How-to take it apart ? Hi I have a big problem about how to taking apart the probook to put more ram in it , could you point me how you do it in the review?
Does i have to remove the rubber at the bottom?

[vkeven]

Found the service manual at HP

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...Fc01758292.pdf

[QualitySeeker]

16:9? Man, go away! Seems I have to get a new book soon.