According to DisplaySearch the LCD panel industry is moving towards a transition that's unstoppable. DisplaySearch believes that by 2010 the widescreen format will have 90% of the market of the notebook panel market and 67% of the monitor panel market. This means that a 16:9 aspect ratio will be largely adopted and mainstream.

"In the near future, panel makers will take necessary phase-out tactics on existing 16:10 LCD panels in order to drive the market to 16:9 panels. Panel makers did it for square panels, and they know how to do it again," said DisplaySearch's David Hsieh, vice president for the Greater China market. Hsieh told DigiTimes that marketers and product planners should plan this transition to ensure a smooth roll-out over the next four years.

It's expected that IT professionals will be unenthusiastic and consumers confused since they will face a change shortly after managing the transition to 16:10 widescreen.

The 16:9 aspect ratio will mean production efficiency so a roll out is unstoppable and expected, says DisplaySearch.