Samsung unveils 7-inch OLED netbook prototype [Video]

Samsung has shown off a 7-inch netbook running a 1024 x 600 resolution OLED display at FPD 2009 (Flat Panel Display 2009). The model has a brightness of 300cd/m2 and a 1000000:1 contrast ratio.

Personally, I can’t say I’m looking forward to OLED-equipped netbooks in the near future. Firstly, I imagine pricing would be prohibitive as you scale up to larger display sizes and secondly, OLED displays are very poor in direct sunlight.

Yes, their vibrancy and contrast can’t be matched when used indoors, but netbooks are hardly meant to be tethered indoors (are they?) You can see the prototype in action in the video after the break. The netbook appears between 37 and 52 seconds.

Update: Netbooked also has a video of these new devices, check it out after the break. Read more

OLED screens coming to Eee PCs?

Asus company Chairman Jonney Shih has reportedly hinted that the firm is considering bringing OLED screen technology to its Eee range of netbooks. Whilst this is likely the next natural evolution for netbook screens, given that they are now starting to appear quite frequently in the latest mobile handset models, I would be surprised if we see OLED technology appear en masse any time soon.

Asus favours the 10 inch form factor and it’s hard to get away from the fact that the cost of a 10 inch OLED screen certainly would be prohibitive. Especially given the fact that netbooks are supposed to envisage low-cost mobile computing. Besides, first up, it would be nice to see LED backlit screens appear more in netbook ranges before the jump to OLED. However, there may be a market for those willing to pay extra for the benefits of an OLED display (quality of display, thinness and better battery life).

Via Reg Hardware.