About a month ago, Apple made it known to their users that they would be using LED-backlighting in their future displays as part of the company's move to become environmentally friendly. The MacBook Pro's (MBP) corresponding update was expected to arrive this month. Now, for the MBP owners wondering how big a difference the new backlights are as compared to previous MacBook Pro models, we're informing you of a recently concluded test that should shed some light on the matter.

The guys over at Engadget have just gotten their hands on the 3rd-gen MBP, which sports the new LED backlight, and decided to do a brief visual comparison with its older kin, an 8-month old 2nd-generation MBP running on traditional cold cathode fluorescent tube (CCFL) backlights. The CCFL MBP's on the left, while the LED MBP's on the right (both set to full brightness):

  

Further notes in the comparison state that the new LED backlight featured crisper whites, although the screens weren't that much brighter. Another interesting detail the testers state is that at half-brightness, the LED MBP was dimmer. Needless to say, the new LED backlight should also beef up your laptop's battery life, although we haven't confirmed by how much yet.

Some new speculation over at Think Secret has pegged a possible MacBook Pro update for next month. The update is rumored to about the new LED-backlit 15-inch displays and could come within days of Apple CEO Steve Jobs' keynote during the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 11.

According to Think Secret, their sources tell them that Apple's order for the displays called on a delivery schedule of mid May. Based on the standard schedule that the company has used in the past, there will be a three to four week window for manufacturing and shipping.

The final date would coincide with Jobs' keynote address on June 11 in San Francisco. Says Think Secret, that's where Apple is likely to announce a new MacBook Pro using a LED backlight display. Think Secret also says that according to the same sources, Apple will be targetting a Q3 rollout of their low-end 13.3-inch laptops.

In accordance with Apple's "cleaner and greener" drive, reports have surfaced that the Cupertino-based company might be including its consumer line of 13-inch MacBooks as one of the products that will be receiving the LED-backlit display treatment this year.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro was the first notebook slated to undergo the LED-backlit display treatment. The 17-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro models are also being considered for the same upgrade.

According to AppleInsider, DigiTimes reports that Apple is currently studying samples of 13.3-and 15.4-inch panels from AU Optronics and Chi Mei Optoelectronics. Backlight unit makers Coretronic and Kenmos are also sending samples to be incorporated in the panels. Shipments for these components are expected to officially commence in Q2 or Q3 of this year.

Steve Jobs has sent out an open letter to customers and shareholders that highlights Apple's plans to be more environmentally friendly. In the letter, the Apple CEO revealed that the company plans to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of mercury in their displays by switching to LED backlighting when technically and economically feasible.

"We plan to introduce our first Macs with LED backlight technology in 2007," he wrote. "Our ability to completely eliminate fluorescent lamps in all of our displays depends on how fast the LCD industry can transition to LED backlighting for larger displays."

According to AppleInsider, not only would switching to LED backlighting help Apple become cleaner and greener, it would also mean more efficient and less power-consuming displays. AppleInsider notes that LED technology is "more efficient at distributing lighting evenly across the entire display surface and offers an increase in color saturation." It also runs cooler and lasts longer than CCFLs.

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.

You have now gotten past being a youngling and is entering a new phase. A Padawan. An apprentice Jedi. You are going to undergo intensive one-on-one training under a Jedi Knight. And to give you the best possible training, you are going to be under the tutelage of Jedi Master MacSaber 1.1.

MacSaber 1.1 has been updated for PowerBook5 and 7, added keyboard backlight actions for equipped notebooks and improved update checker logic 1.0.

MacSaber is compatible with Mac laptops equipped with Sudden Motion Sensor (SMS) technology. Remember not everyone can be a Jedi.

Download: [MacSaber 1.1]

You don't have to be a snake charmer to make your Mac dance, all you need is this nifty program called iSpazz. It's a plugin for iTunes on OS X, controlling the MacBook Pro/PowerBook backlight keyboard and optionally the display backlight.

All you need to do is download the plugin at the bottom of this article, uncompress and copy it to Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins in your home folder. Press "i" to toggle the display flicker. Although, Stefan Werner gives us warning of installing this at your own risk because with all that flickering going on it might have an effect on your backlights and maybe even kill it.

On a lighter note, he sends his thanks to apple4ever from the Mac Ach, Amit Singh and Marvis.

Download: [iSpazz]

I don't know what it is about mixing old with the new when it comes to the iPod, but there have been numerous numbers of retro and vintage inspired docks and speakers that have been featured here on the site. Now, how about just skipping all that era and making a classy antique speaker for your iPod. Hopefully, the price value for this project will be like that of a certified antique.

1. Obeyken bought an Art Deco 1947 National Union G-619 for $25 at a flea market. A good buy considering that all the knobs, feet, glass and dial windows are original. The mahogany cabinet may be a little scuffed and the grille fabric a little frayed, but we are gunning for the antique look aren't we?

The rest of the steps await after the jump!