Apple's 2014 line of MacBooks will reportedly sport IGZO displays, reducing power consumption and improving clarity at the same time.

This switch to IGZO displays is expected to occur sometime during the first half of next year and Apple will reportedly rely on Sharp and LG display to get the panels.

The information comes from PatentlyApple, citing a Korean report. The report also mentions that the iPad may be in line for the screen technology as well.

Sharp already demonstrated the technology with several smartphones and tablets in the Japanese market. IGZO has been slowly making its way to the desktop as well, but for now it can only be found in displays from Sharp and ASUS. As it turns out, Apple was very interested in this new technology and it allegedly made a quiet investment in Sharp in order to get the panels once they're ready for mass production.

The reports suggest that Sharp may supply IGZO displays to Apple for both MacBooks and iPads. This would mean that Apple notebooks and tablets could boast a reduced power consumption without sacrificing display brightness. Apple could draw great benefits, as the company could continue to boast its Retina display resolution but without the drain it brings to battery life. Apple may be well-known for its sharp displays with great high pixel density, but handling the power consumption of such panels is no easy task.

Sharp and other companies use IGZO technology to replace the amorphous silicon substrate that more traditional TFT LCD panels use. IGZO allows for more electron mobility and it can make smaller individual pixels, thus being more efficient.

While allowing for higher-resolution displays, IGZO would also deliver the same degree of brightness as a regular LCD, but with reduced backlighting. The thin-film transistors found in the IGZO screens can let more light in through the back, thus resulting in brighter displays. Reducing the number of backlit LEDs is also possible, and this would in turn cut the overall costs.

In addition, IGZO displays also deliver a high pixel density while preserving battery life, which could be a perfect match for Apple. If the report proves to be accurate, 2014 may bring MacBooks and perhaps iPads with IGZO displays.