iPad raises questions about laptop display options

I really don't get this article. The iPad can go 4:3 because Apple can guarantee 1 million orders and so their manufacturer is willing to set up a separate line to produce just 4:3 panels. Nobody else can do this because there isn't a million customers who regard widescreen as a critical point of differentiation on a laptop when the same specced 16:9 can be had $10 cheaper.

I figured the iPad wasn't widescreen because it doesn't work well vertically.

The missing/sacrificed vertical resolution could be solved if more laptops would offer better, higher resolutions than 1280x800 / 1366x768 on laptops as large as 15.6". High resolution 12/13/14/15 inch laptops are ridiculously niche.

I love 4:3 screens, but they are very hard to get as the article states.<p>I thought we were few, but it seems there are enough 4:3 lovers out there :) (Apple included?)

I understand the move to 16x10, but why the change from there to 16x9? That doesn't seem to do anything but lose more vertical space.<p>I also don't understand why there doesn't seem to be enough demand to continue offering 4x3 models. Maybe not in every size range, but it seems like there should be enough demand in a couple popular sizes.

I thought this article would be about other laptops lacking IPS and having a terrible viewing angle. For something that promotes more social usage like the iPad, the viewing angle being huge is critical. Most laptops in my experience are hard to view and share at the same time.