16:9 ratio notebook panels to become mainstream in 2H08

With panel makers pushing 16:9 ratio panels in 2008, Acer has decided to open
up all its notebook product lines to be based on the ratio, while other notebook
vendors are readying to push at least 14 and 15.6-inch lines in the third
quarter this year. Notebook makers predict the proportion of 16:9 models will
increase 10percent per quarter during in the second half of 2008.

In addition to 14 and 15.6-inch panels, 17.3-inch, mainly supplied by AUO and
LG, and 18.4-inch, supplied by Samsung Electronics, Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO)
and Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) are also sizes Acer plans to introduce.
Meanwhile, most other notebook vendors are still evaluating which of the two
larger sizes they will bid on.

Currently, Dell and Toshiba are planning 17.3-inch lines while Asustek
Computer is also leaning towards this size. Since 17.3-inch panels are priced
around U15-25 less than 18.4-inch ones, notebook pricing should be able to
maintain at current 17.1-inch levels at around S$1,400-1,800.

However, AUO and LG are not scheduled to start mass production of the
17.3-inch panels until the first quarter of 2009 meaning vendors will need to
hold off in launching new products.

Acer, Asustek, Sony and Lenovo will all launch 15.6 and 14-inch notebooks in
the second half this year, while all top-ten vendors are expected to have
15.6-inch products available in the third quarter.