new tablet......?

i'm new to these forums (i have been using this website for about a year but now i am finally onto the forums).....and i was just wondering how likely it will be that apple brings out a tablet PC...i remember hearing some rumors about a "sub-notebook" and was wondering if this would be tablet.....my thoughts it would be just a screen (multi-touch just using your fingers) and then a virtual keyboard would slide up from the bottom and just tap away.....is a tablet PC likely anytime soon....i'm looking to buy a laptop in the next 12 months....???