According to rumors, Apple plans to bring high pixel density displays to their products. It started with the iPhone 4, which would reportedly be followed by the iPad 3.
The original iPad and the iPad 2 pack in 1024x768 pixels in a 9.7 inch display, at a density of 132 pixels per inch (ppi). The Retina display equipped iPad 3 would most likely double the resolution and maintain the same physical screen size, thus doubling the pixel density to 264 ppi.
Chris Koerner made a graphic to show how the (rumored) iPad 3's resolution stacks up against other Apple devices.
Click on the image to see the full size
As you see, and as Chris himself mentions, the Retina screen has enough pixels to play a 1080p movie and still leave a major chunk of the screen empty.
Additionally OSXDaily presents an interesting thought:
[T]here is currently no Mac screen capable of displaying a resolution of that size natively, which will pose an interesting challenge for developers and designers to prepare artwork and apps for the next iPad.
Of course, higher density Macs are rumored to be in the works as well, especially after a 'HiDPI' mode was found in OS X Lion.
Evidence suggesting a Retina display iPad 3 continue to pile in the form of conversations with Apple employees, high-res artwork bundled with iOS and of course, supply chain leaks.
We're quite excited, we can't wait to get our hands on an iPad 3 with Retina Display.
[clkoerner.com via OSXDaily]
I’m pretty excited about the idea of a retina iPad. Hoping it’s real!
oh yeah!! I’m upgrading from my 1st gen iPad if this is true.
Still useless..! No proof of iPad3…!
When was the last time an apple rumor was true? Remember what they said about the 4s or iphone 5? redesign, 4g blah blah blah. It was almost all false. And the rumors came from “reliable sources”
It would make it much better as an ebook/movie/graphics tool.
I’m much more excited by a retina MB Air, though. I use my ipad in a “retina beneficial” mode much less often than my laptop.
iPad 3 is the real deal
I’ll be surprised if they can do a display this large and dense for a reasonable price, but then again I think the current iPad is wildly overpriced. Also, your note about how there is no Mac screen that is that large – My LED cinema display is 2560×1440 (and they cost almost $1000).
cool but seems impossible and really when has any rumor been true but if it’s true i will definitely upgrade my iPad 1st generation
to joe….your cinema theatre may cost that less. but can you take it anywhere???