[Spliff]

I just read over at MacOSRumors.com that the 12" Powerbook doesn't use a Powerbook-quality display. According to the reader that wrote in, the 12" Powerbook's display is nothing more than an iBook display in an aluminum case.

Is this true? If it is, I'm greatly discouraged. I've seen lots of 12" iBooks in caf�s in my city and all of their displays look dim and they have a distinct yellowish tint or hue.

[Kermy]

I believe it is true. After comparing my PB 12"'s display with my iBook G4 12" display, they look pretty similiar.

[pete]

That was one of the reasons I didn't go with the smaller powerbook. The screen is way too dim in my opinion.

[Michel_80]

From a business point of view it makes sense for Apple to have the same display in PB's and Ibooks. I mean, they even use the same keyboard on all the Powerboooks, something which is unheard of.

[iREZ]

Haven't most people said that the iBook G4 have a better screen then the 12"PB anyhow. I would see this as a good thing, no?

[Necrocool]

Yeah it is a good thing. The older 12" PB's had worse screen than iBook G4...

[amazing]

The original article quoted about the 12" PB screen is from 2003, ie the first generation firebook. All indications so far are that the present rev C screen is the same, though I'd love to hear that Apple has improved the LCD--but I don't think so. They might have improved the color profile, maybe-so-maybe-no, but it's still not as good a quality LCD as the AlPB 15".

I think Eugenia'a characterization of the 12" ALPB as a "metal iBook" still stands up.

[rag on a muffin]

so the powerbook screen is dark and yellowish? i have a small problem with the brightness, and i color corrected the yellowish in the display.

are those the main problems?

[Link]

You people didn't know this?

The screen's been the same FORM factor since day 1. that form factor hasn't changed since the 500mhz snowbook.

The LCD models do change over time and this is what you've probably noticed. Chances are good that the ibook g4 uses a (for example) newer samsung 12" while the ibook 500 used an LG samsung 12"

They both use what's available though, and this is mostly picked at random, but the screens for ibooks and powerbooks come out of the same bin. They all have the same mounting bracket but I'm sure you'll take note of this

[Michel_80]

So it is a game of chance which company's screen you will get in your 12 inch.

[Shaddim]

going even further, there are 3 different types of 12" displays used in powerbooks/ibooks.

1. Samsung, the best looking and brightest.

2. Philips, close to Samsung quality though not as bright.

3. LG, dim and not as "clean". The worst.

Problem is, the only way you can really tell is to remove the LCD cover.