Apple's Future LED Displays Could Reduce Power Consumption by 12 Percent

Besides showing the Greenpeace report for what it was, the recent open letter regarding Apple's efforts towards environmentally friendly computers also served as confirmation of an older rumor. It looks like Apple is indeed planning to introduce Macs that make use of LEDs for displays.

The decision to substitute the fluorescent lamps currently used to backlight Macs' flat-panel screen displays with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will help cut down the amount of mercury that Apple uses in its computers. "We plan to introduce our first Macs with LED backlight technology in 2007," Jobs said, however, it's not entirely up to Apple. A complete shift to LEDs depends on the rest of the industry, and how fast the LCD industry transitions to LED backlighting for larger displays. Apple plans to move amm its displays to this technology, but that won't really happen until it is "technically and economically feasible."

Besides being good news for the environment, this change would also have other benefits. The LED technology reduces power consumption by 12% from a traditional fluorescent tube, leading to a longer battery life, since the display is a major drain. Other improvements include more even distribution of light and truer colors.

Because of the status of the LED display technology, it would make sense for Apple to first update Macs with smaller screens. This factor, combined with the other advantages that portables get from the switch, makes them the most likely candidates for the change. It looks like the rumors from earlier this year were on the right track.

Although Jobs only confirmed the change, the Open letter gave no hint of a timeline or price range. If such a machine doesn't make the 'one more thing' at WWDC, it should come sometime before the crucial back-to-school selling season, which runs from late July through early September.