Apple orders 1.2M 13.3" LCDs for new iBooks

Apple has ordered 1.2 million LCDs from Asustek for use in its forthcoming Intel-based iBooks, which the Cupertino-based company is expected to launch some time in the second quarter of this year. The new iBooks will replace the older 12- and 14-inch iBook G4 models, and will feature 13.3-inch wide-screen LCDs. The new displays are priced higher than previous liquid crystal displays used in iBooks, and Apple will reportedly acquire nearly $154 million worth of LCDs from producers such as AU Optronics and LG Philips to facilitate manufacturing the new notebooks, according to EMSNow. Apple has been contacting Samsung, AU Optronics, LPL, and Chi Mei to supply the specialized LCDs since the beginning of the year, and AU Optronics has said it would ship between 40,000-50,000 13.3-inch LCDs to Apple per month.