Apple Touchscreen Netbook to Launch in October at $800?

[Divine Comedy]

The following article was translated from Mandarin to English. If you wish to view the original article (in Mandarin), the link is available at the bottom.


[China Times] – Although there are many reports that highlight the new iPhone debut during the last month as well as Steve Jobs’ return, Jobs will not face any new product shortage, at least not for this year. Taiwan’s high-tech supply chain companies said Apple will debut its first netbook in October; Apple will pose itself to tackle the Christmas shopping season. Three corporations – Foxconn, Wintek, Dynapack have received direct orders from Apple. (Wintek will be producing touch screens and providing relevant technologies for Apple.) In addition, some supply chain companies have privately confirmed deals related to netbooks (Direct quote: "台灣科技供應鏈廠商透露，蘋果小筆電將於10月登場").

During the past several years, there have been countless rumors about Apple competing in the netbook market, but this year, Apple formally finalized orders for netbooks. According to past patterns, Apple normally holds news conference showcasing new products in October, announcing new products for the upcoming shopping season. Last year, for example, new Macbooks (and upgrades) were announced…

According to reliable information, Apple will not follow the current market trend (by producing netbooks with screens about 10.2 or 10.1 inches in diagonal length.) Instead, Apple will produce screens with about 9.7 inches in diagonal length. Touch screen will be installed. Wintek will be the main manufacturer of the touch screen.

In addition, although most of Foxconn’s Macbook orders were gobbled up by Quanta due to fierce competition between the two corporations, Foxconn will be the main manufacture for Apple’s new netbooks, since Foxconn cooperated with Apple on designing and ultimately manufacturing iPhone.

Because Apple will adopt touch screen technology on its netbooks, Apple will not target low-end consumers, avoiding direct competition with Acer, Asus, as well as their less-than-500-dollars netbooks. Apple’s netbook (or a "tablet" as many call it,) will probably be sold at around $800 USD each.

(News source: Business Times reporter ─黄智铭/ Taipei)

Original article (in Mandarin):
http://tw.stock.yahoo.com/news_content/url/d/a/090713/3/1kyqm.html

Update 1: Spokesmen of Foxconn, Wintek, Dynapack refuse to corroborate information about possible netbook deals, reiterating their company policies, which prohibit public disclosure of client information.
Update 2: There were unconfirmed rumors that British reporters obtained information about netbook deals from several Foxconn employees. In order to confirm the validity of this information, these reporters later contacted Foxconn privately, and received positive information. There have been numerous reports in Taiwan about deals between Apple and Foxconn. (Article 1 (Chinese) (http://news.sina.com.tw/article/20090713/1911450.html) Article 2 (Chinese) (http://big5.huaxia.com/xw/twxw/2009/01/1277064.html) Article 3 (Chinese) (http://alex.obm.tw/cn/node/248) Article 4 (Chinese) (http://0986816999.web66.com.tw/web/UPT?UPID=39474))
Update 3: The screen size of the new netbooks was said to be based on that of Amazon's Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Original-Wireless-generation/dp/B000FI73MA).
Update 4: The netbooks were likely described in its 2005 patent (http://gizmodo.com/5145104/apple-tablet-described-in-patent)

[appleguy123]

This should be frint page! Hope this netbook is amazing even though I wont use it

[fireman13]

I can't read Mandarin so here's to hoping that this is true. I would love to see this happen.

[rgarjr]

Looks like Chinese too me.

[chstr]

800 dollars for a netbook is lame. not surprising at all

[theMaccer]

I thought MBA was Apple's netbook already.

[MacMini2009]

I thought MBA was Apple's netbook already.

The MBA is so Apple can say "We made a notebook that fits in a Manila envelope, how about that Dell!" Oh, but Dell also made a thin notebook.

If Apple is planning on releasing a netbook the prices should be similar to the Mac Mini like $599/$799. Or atleast $699/$899 because it comes with a screen, keyboard, etc.

[fpnc]

A 9.7 inch screen suggests a SMALL keyboard. I know they mention touchscreen, but one of the biggest complaints I've read on netbooks is their small, non-standard-sized keyboards. If Apple wants to introduce a netbook I was hoping for something with an 11" or 12" display and a standard sized keyboard (or one that is very close to standard size). Sure, they could use a small screen and have a big bezel surrounding it, but that would just be stupid (IMO).

[dlhuss]

besides that goofy flowchart that was floating around...

can someone define "netbook", please?

[vertigo78]

my guess is that this will take over the macbook name. i dont know what will happen to the current white macbook. all im hoping for is a touchscreen and a physical keyboard. maybe even an adjustable screen that fold over the keyboard and become a tablet.

[isaaclimdc]

I hope to hell that Apple does not enter the netbook market, as they already said. The iPhone/iPod touch IS their netbook. Unless they come up with something crazily innovative (i.e. nothing less inventive than a collapsable computer), they will end up creating a crappy product. Is that not Apple's worst fear?

[Tallest Skil]

can someone define "netbook", please?

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

Also, I don't believe this. Apple touts a full-size keyboard, and you can't HAVE THAT on a computer this small.

[Eidorian]

I draw the line at 10.1". You really need a 92% keyboard at the very least.

[Tallest Skil]

I draw the line at 10.1". You really need a 92% keyboard at the very least.

Thank you! Yes; and that would lend weight to the "Apple snapping up 10" screens" rumor floating around months ago.

[dlhuss]

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

there are 17" PCs that fit that definition ;)

[asphyxiafeeling]

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

Also, I don't believe this. Apple touts a full-size keyboard, and you can't HAVE THAT on a computer this small.

when this ends up being true and Apple uses their Apple Mischief to solve the keyboard issue i would really LOVE to see the look on your face.

Perhaps this will be a bold attempt by Apple to make a notebook without a keyboard? Similar to a phone without buttons (iPhone)?

I'm not sure if it's a netbook coming, but i do believe some new product with a 9.7 inch (or whatever) screen is on the way!

[Tallest Skil]

when this ends up being true and Apple uses their Apple Mischief to solve the keyboard issue i would really LOVE to see the look on your face.

One of disgust, and I'd never buy the thing.

Perhaps this will be a bold attempt by Apple to make a notebook without a keyboard? Similar to a phone without buttons (iPhone)?

Oh, so a tablet? Now THAT I would buy. I do NOT want a physical keyboard that small, but a virtual one is fine.

Bring on the MacTablet.

[hamish5178]

I for one would be very excited to see some sort of Apple netbook-device precisely because I know Apple will have to make it different somehow. It won't just be a tiny lap-top running OSX, they would never do that.

I think they must have something interesting up their sleeve. They have to beat standard-netbooks, the MBA, and the iPhone/iPod touch.

However, between my iPod Touch and MBP, I feel anything else would be an awkward 3rd wheel/a bit excessive.

I'm sure I'll want one anyway.

[Cassie]

Everyone said I should wait for the Apple netbook that was coming "inevitably", instead of buying a Windows based netbook. I'm glad I didn't. Even if it's true, there's no way I'd pay $800 for one, much less be able to afford it.

I don't see an $800 netbook selling too well.

[shadow1]

A netbook would be too crappy for apple

[Eidorian]

It better be 9400M G based.

[Shake 'n' Bake]

I'm all for a netbook as long as it has a full size keyboard and doesn't perform like crap, i.e. it'll run intensive iMovie renderings in a reasonable time.

Apple won't make anything without a full size keyboard (except the iPhone). It's been a selling point of Apple notebooks for years.

I won't buy it if it has a single core Atom or a dual core Atom. I want a Core 2 Duo or better.

And I don't want to pay a premium for it. These days Apple uses the same parts as everyone else so I don't see why It can't be ~$400. But someone, can't remember who, said Apple doesn't know how to make a sub-$500 computer that isn't a piece of crap.

[robanga]

I believe a $799 MacBook/Netbook would do well. Particularly if they were otherwise innovative with it;

Dual boot OS into iPhone interface for touch functions
Integrated Gobi chipset for multi-carrier data radios

Twist and swivel screen that finally gives us a MacBook touch tablet

...to name a few.

[MacMini2009]

Can they put the chipset from the Macbook Air to this netbook?

[Shake 'n' Bake]

Can they put the chipset from the Macbook Air to this netbook?

You know there is a difference between a chipset and a motherboard, right? If you meant motherboard, then sure, I'm sure it would fit; it's the size of a mouse. Literally.

Oh, an I forgot to mention that I will not buy anything that runs the iPhone OS other than the iPhone and iPT. I'll also be the first to complain here about it if it is true.

[MacMini2009]

You know there is a difference between a chipset and a motherboard, right? If you meant motherboard, then sure, I'm sure it would fit; it's the size of a mouse.

Oops, but yes I meant motherboard.

[Eidorian]

I won't buy it if it has a single core Atom or a dual core Atom. I want a Core 2 Duo or better.

And I don't want to pay a premium for it. These days Apple uses the same parts as everyone else so I don't see why It can't be ~$400. But someone, can't remember who, said Apple doesn't know how to make a sub-$500 computer that isn't a piece of crap.If you want a Core 2 then it's going to be a CULV. You're looking at nothing more than a smaller MacBook Air then.

[puffnstuff]

Duh! Who did not see this coming?

Rumors from months back that Apple had ordered 10 inch screens. During last years quarter call they said no netbook but they are working on something. Remember just because has a small screen doesn't make it a netbook. Apple updates all notebooks during the summer when usually they wait until september. They re-branded the lineup leaving the white macbook as a filler.

[Shake 'n' Bake]

If you want a Core 2 then it's going to be a CULV. You're looking at nothing more than a smaller MacBook Air then.

No I'm not. A smaller MBA will only cost a tiny bit less and you'll still be paying more than you should for a crappy computer.

The MBA is a premium ultra portable with a cost that reflects that. A netbook however, isn't expensive and isn't designed to be ultra portable.

I can't see Apple putting an Atom in anything. It just isn't powerful enough.

[Eidorian]

No I'm not. A smaller MBA will only cost a tiny bit less and you'll still be paying more than you should for a crappy computer.

The MBA is a premium ultra portable with a cost that reflects that. A netbook however, isn't expensive and isn't designed to be ultra portable.

I can't see Apple putting an Atom in anything. It just isn't powerful enough.Please tell me what you're going to use then if it's not Atom or a Core 2 CULV then.

[Shake 'n' Bake]

Please tell me what you're going to use then if it's not Atom or a Core 2 CULV then.

I never said anything about against Core 2. I don't want an Atom, that's all.

[Eidorian]

I never said anything about against Core 2. I don't want an Atom, that's all.Then it's just a scaled down MacBook Air...

[Shake 'n' Bake]

Then it's just a scaled down MacBook Air...

No, it isn't.

I said it already. A scaled down MBA will cost too much to be qualified as a netbook. The MBA, until recently, had the power of a netbook. People who bought a netbook didn't even think to cross shop the netbook with the MBA because it was too expensive.

[Eidorian]

No, it isn't.

I said it already. A scaled down MBA will cost too much to be qualified as a netbook. The MBA, until recently, had the power of a netbook. People who bought a netbook didn't even think to cross shop the netbook with the MBA because it was too expensive.The MacBook Air has always had more power than a netbook. If you want Core 2 over Atom then it's just a slower clocked, smaller MacBook Air.

If you go with a touchscreen only it's some weird MID.

[windywoo]

I really don't see why Apple is so resistant to the idea of making a netbook. A netbook is not meant to be a main computer, so it introduces more people to OSX who are then more likely to buy one of the bigger Macs.

The failings of the netbooks are that they don't have the grunt to run Vista and so most are stuck with XP. OSX doesn't have the heavy system requirements of Vista, no need to cutback there.

Apple could take the standard netbook components, add a stylish case around them and sell it for considerably more than an average netbook. Result, more OSX users and more customers for peripherals etc.

[puffnstuff]

I translated the article via google translate it's note a netbook

It even says it's not going to compete with the netbook market but rather it's direct competition will be the sony vaio p

So for the last time it's not a netbook. When they said they do not do netbooks they meant it.

[appleguy123]

A 9.7 inch screen suggests a SMALL keyboard. I know they mention touchscreen, but one of the biggest complaints I've read on netbooks is their small, non-standard-sized keyboards. If Apple wants to introduce a netbook I was hoping for something with an 11" or 12" display and a standard sized keyboard (or one that is very close to standard size). Sure, they could use a small screen and have a big bezel surrounding it, but that would just be stupid (IMO).

I think that the current full sized keyboard would fit in a 9" clamshell notebook but there wouldn't be too much room for anything else

[iMacmatician]

A 9.7 inch screen suggests a SMALL keyboard. I know they mention touchscreen, but one of the biggest complaints I've read on netbooks is their small, non-standard-sized keyboards. If Apple wants to introduce a netbook I was hoping for something with an 11" or 12" display and a standard sized keyboard (or one that is very close to standard size). Sure, they could use a small screen and have a big bezel surrounding it, but that would just be stupid (IMO).Agreed completely.

besides that goofy flowchart that was floating around...Can I see that flowchart?

Perhaps this will be a bold attempt by Apple to make a notebook without a keyboard? Similar to a phone without buttons (iPhone)?Mini-tablet? Doesn't look like it anymore… I wonder how they'll combine touchscreen with Mac OS X.

I translated the article via google translate it's note a netbook

It even says it's not going to compete with the netbook market but rather it's direct competition will be the sony vaio p

So for the last time it's not a netbook. When they said they do not do netbooks they meant it.Here's the Google translation for anyone interested:

"Highlights of the report" Jobs for the comeback! Apple launched in October small electricity, Hon Hai help

Times - Although the report highlights the new iPhone debut in the last month, but Apple CEO Steve Jobs's return but will not face any new products can be amazing to let the market. Taiwan's high-tech supply chain companies said Apple will be small electric debut in October, is back after Steve Jobs the most important new products, ready to attack the Christmas season, the supply chain in Taiwan, on behalf of Hon Hai Factory (2317), touch Wintek panel factory (2384), 10,000 plant components-uk (6134), Shunda orders have been news.

Several times over the last Apple laptop was the introduction of a small plan, but has not disappeared late, but this year, Apple formally finalized orders for small amounts of electricity to run Apple's past practice, in mid-October each year, there will be presentations of new products , published in the Christmas season in key products, such as last year, a new aluminum case on the MacBook.

New small laptop Apple is also expected in 10 months for the first time the publication will be coming out, Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs after receiving liver transplant operation, also announced that Apple's comeback continues to hailun, small laptop have the opportunity to become al - Perth back to the market after the gift.

Apple Computer as a result of small amounts of electricity has its unique planning, in the past also reported the news of a number of design changes, so time to market changes frequently, but some suppliers this year, pointed out that Apple's plans to small no change is expected in September, will begin in October officially shipped.

It is learned that the mainstream and is now the main power small 10.1-inch or 10.2-inch, Apple will set up an alternative specification, used bookstores and the Amazon Kindle e-book very popular 9.7-inch screen and touch functionality into Taiwan touch surface Wintek factory will become the main suppliers.

In addition, foreign legal persons pointed out that although the MacBook in the mainstream part of Hon Hai orders Quanta recover. However, because of Apple's design similar to small electric products such as iPhone, before the development together with the Hon Hai is expected to or is expected to become Apple Computer on behalf of small power plants.

Function as a result of mining design touch, Apple's small market is expected not to take low-cost electricity routes, avoiding double-A and Acer (2353), ASUS (2357) the most intense fighting of the 500 U.S. dollars below the market price may be 800 U.S. dollars around this level with main rival is Sony Computer P series of small electric products. (News source: Business Times reporter ─黄智铭/ Taipei)

[Abstract]

A 9.7 inch screen suggests a SMALL keyboard. I know they mention touchscreen, but one of the biggest complaints I've read on netbooks is their small, non-standard-sized keyboards. If Apple wants to introduce a netbook I was hoping for something with an 11" or 12" display and a standard sized keyboard (or one that is very close to standard size). Sure, they could use a small screen and have a big bezel surrounding it, but that would just be stupid (IMO).


The article said 9.7" wide. I don't know if that was referring to the diagonal of the screen. If it's referring to the length of the screen, then the diagonal would be 11.4" (9.7"/cos(32º)).

[Divine Comedy]

The article said 9.7" wide. I don't know if that was referring to the diagonal of the screen. If it's referring to the length of the screen, then the diagonal would be 11.4" (9.7"/cos(32º)).

Sorry. The article is referring to the diagonal of the screen. I apologize for my misinterpretation of the original article.

[djellison]

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

You've never used one.

And Apple don't know how to make a Netbook. Here's why.

A netbook has to be CHEAP. Very very CHEAP. £300 is expensive for a netbook.

Apple will be charging 50%+ over the top

[talkingfuture]

I hope this 'Netbook' is really the tablet idea. I still think that a larger format of touchscreen device like a 9" iPhone is the best way to do a netbook.

[joelypolly]

Here's to hoping that it has an app store coz thats where all the action will be at. Small and portable tablet with a bunch of useful apps that are designed around a 9.7" screen is much better than desktop apps shoehorned into a netbook with a 7~11" screen.

I think an on screen keyboard wouldn't be too far fetch for most input requirements i.e. username/passwords, short emails, urls. Writing essays might require a bluetooth/usb keyboard though.

Hopefully this will be an intel platform so we get the full MacOS experience. Just think if you could hook this up to a digital camera and control all its functions and get live view directly on the tablet. So many wonderful possibilities.

[sikkinixx]

Why not just make a netbook with atom etc. but make OS X work perfectly on it, maybe throw in some fancy Apple stuff? And ya know... only charge $500. Anyone with a Dell 9/Acer/MSi Wind can rig up a "Mac" with 90% of the features and it runs just peachy.

[sushi]

If memory serves, there was a rumor of a large purchase of either 10.1 or 10.4 inch screens. So 9.7 inch doesn't sound right.

Some have suggested a smaller MBA. Concept wise that might work.

Also, I don't understand comments regarding being able to use the NetBook for tasks such as rendering a movie via iMovie. IMHO, that's not what a NetBook is for.

My guess is that it will be some sort of tablet oriented device. Rumor wise, it will be a long time until October.

[Kid Red]

The MBA is so Apple can say "We made a notebook that fits in a Manila envelope, how about that Dell!" Oh, but Dell also made a thin notebook.

If Apple is planning on releasing a netbook the prices should be similar to the Mac Mini like $599/$799. Or atleast $699/$899 because it comes with a screen, keyboard, etc.

The mac mini does not have a monitor. Then add touchscreen to it, and that gets you around the $800 area. If true.

[Dagless]

Interesting! I hope they come out with such a device, I'd love a real OSX based netbook. Though I'm not sold on the touchscreen side of things, wouldn't it... topple over?

[Sky Blue]

Good, people with Netbooks always look ridiculous.

[levitynyc]

This has come down to the point that I'll believe it when I see it.

Almost all netbooks out today are a piece of garbage. I dont understand why Apple is interested in this market. People buying netbooks think they actually run well.

[djinn]

Haven't we already been through this before?

[Bevz]

Bring it on!! ;)

If it runs OSX i'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[charlituna]

A netbook would be too crappy for apple

not necessarily. remember even Jobs didn't discount the notion. IF they could design one that fit within Apple's design game

and a tablet that is somewhere between an ipod and an open faced air, with built in 3g and wifi, designed just for the core 'Net' activities (ie, not things like photoshop, final cut etc), perhaps even running an modified version of OS X or even the iPhone OS (with its own app store providing new and modified versions of iphone apps) could fit that bill.

certainly this rumor hit a believable price and time of release. which makes it sound more possible than previous rumors. and who knows, next we might see rumors of being able to get a carrier subsidy on the 'tablet' if you sign up for a data line on ATT etc

given that there are a number of folks out there that are only interested in a computer for email, web browser, perhaps ichat/aim stuff, a netbook is perfect for them.

[maestrocasa]

It'll be cool to see what this is... but I don't imagine it's anything I want. Between the MBP and the iPT, I can pretty well handle all my light and heavy computing needs.

Apple is pretty good at surprising us with cool new products though, so who knows it could be pretty awesome... whatever it is. :)

[ob81]

$799 would be a good start. I wouldn't pay that for a netbook though.

Apple technically already makes a netbook. It is just too big and expensive. Plus the idea of netbook is smaller footprint, not thickness.

[Tallest Skil]

You've never used one.

How the heck are YOU supposed to know that?

A netbook has to be CHEAP.

Obviously not.

Apple will be charging 50%+ over the top

Oh, and here's the best part: People. Will. Pay. It.

[olternaut]

my guess is that this will take over the macbook name. i dont know what will happen to the current white macbook. all im hoping for is a touchscreen and a physical keyboard. maybe even an adjustable screen that fold over the keyboard and become a tablet.

Keep dreaming about the physical keyboard. Nobody seems to be paying attention to what Apple has been saying and planning for a good while now. :rolleyes:

[olternaut]

$799 would be a good start. I wouldn't pay that for a netbook though.

Apple technically already makes a netbook. It is just too big and expensive. Plus the idea of netbook is smaller footprint, not thickness.

Well of course you wouldn't pay that for a netbook.
It's a good thing then that Apple's product won't be a netbook!
It will be a product category unto itself. *sigh* Please try to keep up people. It has only been proclaimed for YEARS now that Apple's product won't be a netbook or a "tablet" in the traditional sense but because we have no other words to describe what Apple is doing we have to use "netbook" or "tablet" to refer to Apple's new product.

[diabolic]

I am betting on a touchscreen/wifi/3G device with an optional bluetooth keyboard. At least that's what I would buy.

[Schizoid]

Just out of interest, if a 9.7" screen does appear in any product, what maximum resolution are we talking about here?

[JayMan8081]

I'm going to say that this is waaayyyy overpriced if true. And how useful would a touchscreen netbook be at only 9.7"? Apple needs to stick with high-end machines and not try to go in-between low-end mass market machines and high-end. It leaves their offerings in no-man's land. Unless this thing ends up being incredibly lightweight why wouldn't someone just buy the white macbook?

[hashholly]

Keep dreaming about the physical keyboard. Nobody seems to be paying attention to what Apple has been saying and planning for a good while now. :rolleyes:

Exactly. This sin't going to be a "netbook" but rather a tablet. No keyboard, more than likely the same ports as the MBA, bluetooth/wifi/GPS/and possibly a built in 3g option.

[maclancer]

Man, with a 9.7 inch screen it will be probably like an iphone user interface, bunch of icons but much more powerful.

[Thex1138]

All I want for Christmas :D

If true it could only be a touch screen tablet. AKA no keyboard...

Think of it being about as big as that mouse pad you may be using right now...

I think Macbook Air is already the Apple Netbook.

[hashholly]

I'm going to say that this is waaayyyy overpriced if true. And how useful would a touchscreen netbook be at only 9.7"? Apple needs to stick with high-end machines and not try to go in-between low-end mass market machines and high-end. It leaves their offerings in no-man's land. Unless this thing ends up being incredibly lightweight why wouldn't someone just buy the white macbook?

I have a better question, why do so many people buy netbooks and eventually hackintosh them? There is a market for a smaller, lighter, less powerful macbook.

And for the overpriced bit, people still buy the Sony Vaio P, Considering that youll have to pay 500+ for a touchscreen netbook/notebook, i don't see $800.00 considering its coming with OSX and will more than likely have some iPhone attributes.

[SkippyThorson]

I'm all for a netbook as long as it has a full size keyboard and doesn't perform like crap, i.e. it'll run intensive iMovie renderings in a reasonable time.

Apple won't make anything without a full size keyboard (except the iPhone). It's been a selling point of Apple notebooks for years.

I won't buy it if it has a single core Atom or a dual core Atom. I want a Core 2 Duo or better.

And I don't want to pay a premium for it. These days Apple uses the same parts as everyone else so I don't see why It can't be ~$400. But someone, can't remember who, said Apple doesn't know how to make a sub-$500 computer that isn't a piece of crap.

I don't want I don't want... You obviously don't want a netbook. You are NOT the market that netbooks cater to. If you want all that, buy a MacBook Pro.

I for one don't want this at all. I want a full blown tablet. Touch screen, OSX, the end. One solid device. No physical keyboard. Now that, I'd shell out the bucks for.

[Vulpinemac]

A 9.7 inch screen suggests a SMALL keyboard. I know they mention touchscreen, but one of the biggest complaints I've read on netbooks is their small, non-standard-sized keyboards. If Apple wants to introduce a netbook I was hoping for something with an 11" or 12" display and a standard sized keyboard (or one that is very close to standard size). Sure, they could use a small screen and have a big bezel surrounding it, but that would just be stupid (IMO).

I can almost guarantee that Apple's device (I refuse to call it a 'Netbook') will not have a conventional keyboard. In fact, I expect it won't have any keyboard at all; not a physical one, anyway. A virtual keyboard similar to that in the iPhone/iPod Touch is most likely, perhaps with a couple of USB connectors to permit use of an external keyboard/mouse combination. The fact that it has been reported many times that the device will use a touch screen pretty much guarantees no physical keyboard.

If this thing opens like a clamshell at all, I expect it will open like a book, not like your conventional laptop form factor. I also expect the cover will be exactly that and nothing more--a simple cover to protect the glass and maybe help provide a stand for hands-free viewing.

Anybody remember the old Star Trek "Padd"? This may be the closest thing to that concept since the original Newton.

[MrCrowbar]

Well, that sounds kinda promising. I doubt Apple would bother with a keyboard though. If you're on a laptop (notebook) computer right now, go ahead and draw imaginary smileys on the display for 20 seconds. See what I mean? a slanted touch screen with no palm support is an ergonomic nightmare. And netbook keyboards are usually too small and don't have enough action (distance to travel inward) to be used to type comfortably.

I'd put my money on a dedicated couch computing device. Something that's not too heavy to lift casually with one hand from the couch table, very thin (d'uh, it's Apple) and just enough horsepower to surf the web. Think iPod touch for the living room. Put it in its dock on the living room table and use it as an iChat phone with the built-in camera and mic. Use it as a high quality digital picture frame, universal TV remote, play chess on it. Just a fun toy.

[rye9]

I don't see an $800 netbook selling too well.

I agree it seems crazy, however I can already see macrumors.com having threads about launch meetups for this thing.

People, especially on these board, love anything Apple.

[Wilches]

I belive apple netbook will be using a hybrid iphone macbook design

the 9,2 screen can fit a fully functional touch-keybord like the one on the iphone.

If u want a cheap mac netbook it will have a standart atom processor and don't get a lot of hope for a nvidia graphic card.


I dont know if the touch keybord is a good idea but I know the all netbook keybords sucks... so at least is diferente..

And i belive that with the new battery tecnology apple could be creating a netbook with 8 or 9h of wi-fi use.


What to u want more from a netbook.




PS- if they don't put a 3g card on it they will be very very stupid!



edit... I remember I saw a pic like this one on the macrumors page sometime ago....
http://www.macazin.de/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/apple-netbook-studie.jpg
my 2 cents

[BG-Mac]

I am soooooo going to buy this!!!!!!!

[Tallest Skil]

PS- if they don't put a 3g card on it they will be very very stupid!

Because tying your customers to a telecom is the most intelligent thing you can do. :rolleyes:

Keep the 3G card off, please, Apple.

[bbotte]

This will be a 10 inch iPod Touch with a 3G data card.

[bretm]

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

Also, I don't believe this. Apple touts a full-size keyboard, and you can't HAVE THAT on a computer this small.

And more powerful than that mac laptop we were editing video on a few years ago. I love peoples definition of useless. They aren't THAT underpowered. I mean if we're playing games and processing soca and images on our phones how bad can they be? More often, they are lacking ports and optical drive. They are basically what the air should have been- underpowered cheap and small. Not underpowered , expensivesive and light. The air isn't that small IMO. Just thin.

[dave94703]

i don't see $800.00 considering its coming with OSX and will more than likely have some iPhone attributes.

$800 for osx with an optional physical keyboard would compete with mba. They have established the itouch platform so rapidly, I can't see them using osx (much as I'd like them to; I'd buy one immediately, one more if it really ran all my osx stuff productively).

[macduke]

My wife is going to need a new computer soon because her Dell is falling apart. This would be a perfect fit because she doesn't need a large amount of processing power. Although this would also be convenient to take notes on in class...especially if I can use it like a notepad.

I bet it will have an app store.

I'd pay $1500 for one with a good processor / gpgpu, video output, and a pressure sensitive display, similar to a Cintiq.

[Tallest Skil]

And more powerful than that mac laptop we were editing video on a few years ago. I love peoples definition of useless.

And strangely enough, software has changed in the last few years, so the definition of useless is CONSTANTLY changing. Meaning that what you have said holds absolutely no merit.

Today's most powerful computer is five years' hence nigh-on-useless computer.

[JohnMC]

This thing is going to have to have a keyboard and just a touchscreen one. If Apple decides to make a flat 10" device running a larger version of the iPhone OS there is not going to be any go way to hold it and type. Plus $800??? I can't justify that price when a new MacBook Pro 13" can be had for ~$1100.

[zeasar]

It seems like all of you have forgotten the patent that apple filed not so long ago, about slotting a small flat device into a bigger "screen" like device.

Well, my guess is this tablet is a bigger version of iphone, with a slot on the side to slide in your iphone, with tethering, you can access FULL SCREEN internet on the go. With headphone jack on the side you can make/receive calls while the iphone is slotted in.

And maybe a built in isight, video conference on the iphone/itablet combo.

think outside the box people.

[Wilches]

Because tying your customers to a telecom is the most intelligent thing you can do. :rolleyes:

Keep the 3G card off, please, Apple.


that is another question....

Yes I belive is a smart move to include 3g data cards...

Yes some will be atached to a telecom to become cheaper

I hope that most of them will be carrier free... just insert a sim card and surf!

[zedsdead]

Sounds more like a Touch-Tablet than a Netbook, especially given Apple's anti-netbook stance. I don't expect them to release something with a small garbage keyboard.

Wasn't there a rumor a while back about a someone saying Apple is going to define a new category?

[TheMechanic]

Well of course you wouldn't pay that for a netbook.
It's a good thing then that Apple's product won't be a netbook!
It will be a product category unto itself. *sigh* Please try to keep up people. It has only been proclaimed for YEARS now that Apple's product won't be a netbook or a "tablet" in the traditional sense but because we have no other words to describe what Apple is doing we have to use "netbook" or "tablet" to refer to Apple's new product.

QFT
Finally somebody who gets it!

[cmfilms]

Sign me up. I have a 17" MBP and an iMac. I'd love for something bigger than an iPhone to take with me on weekends away from the office. I'd have this the weekend they come out.

[Vulpinemac]

And I don't want to pay a premium for it. These days Apple uses the same parts as everyone else so I don't see why It can't be ~$400. But someone, can't remember who, said Apple doesn't know how to make a sub-$500 computer that isn't a piece of crap.


You just showed how little you really know about Apple. Maybe you should check out iSuppli's reviews of their teardowns of Apple computers and other devices. To quote their Mac Mini teardown, "Apple Inc.’s latest Mac Mini desktop computer demonstrates once again that Apple knows how to make computers better, smaller, and more attractive. Such an achievement, however, comes at a premium and bears higher component costs..." In other words, even a 3rd party business recognizes that Apple's products are worth the added cost. They don't buy just any components, they specify the quality they expect from those components. My own experience with one of their suppliers demonstrates that as we had an entire shipment of product returned because a random sampling fell outside of their specifications; forcing us to do a 100% QA test of the product before they would accept another shipment. Components so sensitive, by the way, that the fluorescent lamps overhead in the testing room affected the readings.

In other words, they don't just "... uses the same parts as everyone else...," they go far beyond that.

[patricksan]

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

Also, I don't believe this. Apple touts a full-size keyboard, and you can't HAVE THAT on a computer this small.

Great definition!!!

[rosenkrieger]

Its coming.

Think of it real simple.

A 9.7" iPod Touch or iPhone :apple:

1. Same OS as iPhone/Touch
2. Basically all the stuff a current iPod Touch has ( plus a nice iSight! )
3. 64+ RAM
4. CPU/graphics from their own yard ( forgot the name but Apple bought a manufacturer a few montsh back AFAIR )
5. No Keyboard ( of course not )

6. Maybe 3G or equivalent if "based" on iPhone

For "bedsurfing" / on the go it would awesome - more screen estate - more power

[crackermac]

Who is calling this a netbook? The author of the article? This may be the mac tablet that has long been rumored. This may not compete with the netbook market. Hell, with rumors pointing to a touch-screen, it's already not in the same category as a netbook. Do others contain a touch screen? And this I'm sure will have multi-touch. I don't see Apple taking a step back with that technology. I would guess at more of an over-sized iPhone/touch. And for those of you wishing for core 2 duos so you can process video/high-end graphics, you're asking for way too much. Come back to reality. The majority of the population checks webmail, surfs the web, and light word processing. That's what this will be geared towards and will satisfy the majority. People get too hopped up on specs. Up until two weeks ago I was running a 1.25Ghz G4 Powerbook as my main computer. Only until I started doing video conversions and streaming HD content did I finally say, "OK, I need a new computer." As soon as there is a better word app and someone makes a foldable keyboard to connect to the iPhone, I will never have to take my laptop with me on trips.

[hashholly]

3. i don't see $800.00 considering its coming with OSX and will more than likely have some iPhone attributes.

$800 for osx with an optional physical keyboard would compete with mba. They have established the itouch platform so rapidly, I can't see them using osx (much as I'd like them to; I'd buy one immediately, one more if it really ran all my osx stuff productively).[/QUOTE]

You could also say the 13 MBP/MB competes with the MBA at that rate, it all depends on your needs. With the "Tablet" you'll lose at least 3" screen real estate, a physical integrated backlit keyboard, and frankly not everyone wants a touch screen, the two would be two different beasts as much as a MBP and an MBA are.

I almost think we're going to get a hybrid OS, especially considering SL is supposed to have touch screen enhancements in the OS...I almost think of the "Dashboard" consisting of the MobileOSX portion, while you still have the true OSX UI outside of that, albeit with enough enhancements so that it is usable with just a finger.

[tgc]

800 dollars for a netbook is retarded. not surprising at all

Yes ... especially compared to a Windows System you could buy for that, but inline if they're asking $599 for an out of contract iPhone 3G!!!

Typically overpriced. Can you imagine if they charged $499 for the device.

Listen to me speculating on paying for something I've never seen or know the specs on! Can you tell I'd buy one!! ;-)

I've had an iPhone for ~2 years now and would LOVE a slightly larger item that I would no doubt leave on the couch for surfing, take with me on trips, slip into my briefcase for meetings, etc., etc.

[patricksan]

Well of course you wouldn't pay that for a netbook.
It's a good thing then that Apple's product won't be a netbook!
It will be a product category unto itself. *sigh* Please try to keep up people. It has only been proclaimed for YEARS now that Apple's product won't be a netbook or a "tablet" in the traditional sense but because we have no other words to describe what Apple is doing we have to use "netbook" or "tablet" to refer to Apple's new product.

Absolute right!

I also don't understand why a lot of people complains about the price. If you are not satisfied, just buy a netbook eeepc, for example.

[rwilliams]

Sorry, but $800 for that machine would be completely stupid on Apple's part. For $200 more, you can get a full-fledged MacBook. People that can already afford to spend $800 on an underpowered machine like a netbook can likely afford another $200 for a real machine.

[gianly1985]

Netbook = ATOM or ION + gma950 if not gma500 = CRAP

Apple thing = CORE 2 DUO + 9400M = Not a Netbook = Not Crap

OR

Apple thing = GIANT iPhone = Not a Netbook anyway


What's SURE: Apple thing =! 900$ Vaio P nor 199$ EEE Pc, both crap.

[maccompaq]

My first Hackintosh was built using the single core Atom 1.6 running Leopard. I am amazed at how much it will do. It does very well with Photoshop CS, yes the non-native version. With CS4, it would operate much faster. It does fine with MS Office 2008, Aperture and iWork 2008. Does good on the Internet. Plays streaming TV shows over the Internet at full screen without stuttering. It burns CDs and DVDs without problems. So far, it has done everything I have asked it to do.

I do not do video rendering, so not a problem. If this was my only computer, it would be OK. However, I do have several other computers much more powerful than this one.

One thing I cannot grasp; why do so many want a touch screen? It just seems awkward to use a touch screen for input.

[Digitalclips]

A 9.7 inch screen suggests a SMALL keyboard. I know they mention touchscreen, but one of the biggest complaints I've read on netbooks is their small, non-standard-sized keyboards. If Apple wants to introduce a netbook I was hoping for something with an 11" or 12" display and a standard sized keyboard (or one that is very close to standard size). Sure, they could use a small screen and have a big bezel surrounding it, but that would just be stupid (IMO).

I have one of those ... my trusty iBook G4 ;)

[taio84]

And more powerful than that mac laptop we were editing video on a few years ago. I love peoples definition of useless. They aren't THAT underpowered. I mean if we're playing games and processing soca and images on our phones how bad can they be? More often, they are lacking ports and optical drive. They are basically what the air should have been- underpowered cheap and small. Not underpowered , expensivesive and light. The air isn't that small IMO. Just thin.

Actually the netbooks i've tried (had to work on one for a week) Asus and Acer second generation, running XP were way much slower than any mac I ever possessed, speed isn't only the Mhz or "rendering time" in various programs, it's also how you perceive the system you're using, and if I have to wait 20-30 seconds to go from a browser window to control pannel that's not fast and not even tolerable.
I was planning on buying one of those netbooks, I was assuming what you said, "if i could have worked on an old ibook, I surely can on this" but when i tried working on one of them, the only thing that saved the netbook from a 40 meters fall from my window was the fact that it was'nt mine..... I really got nervous, and after 1 hour of using it, i had accomplished the same that in 10 minutes with my iphone... Netbooks as they are now, are terrible, probably it's all due to Atom processors, don't know, simply the experience they gave me is much worst then the one of the eMate apple made in the 90's (wonderfull product).
If Apple is going to make one, they surely are going to keep this into mind, and would never provide such a thing as actual netbooks, even me, "super fanboy" would toss it out of the window (if mine...).


Ps. sorry for the english...

[Tallest Skil]

Sorry, but $800 for that machine would be completely stupid on Apple's part. For $200 more, you can get a full-fledged MacBook. People that can already afford to spend $800 on an underpowered machine like a netbook can likely afford another $200 for a real machine.

A MacBook doesn't have a touchscreen.

Also, THIS IS NOT A NETBOOK.

[qbricc]

There are many people who use limited functions of what a computer can do. My wife uses an ipod touch for light internet surfing, emails, watching Youtube videos and looking at wedding photos on flickr. She would love a scaled up version of the touch. Ok this new product won't suit everyone but not all of us use a computer for video editing. This type of device will be the future of computing - small user interfaces which link to a hub (mobileMe, Apple TV Time Cap etc). Apple will be thinking large ipod touch and not small Macbook. IMO

[hashholly]

It seems like all of you have forgotten the patent that apple filed not so long ago, about slotting a small flat device into a bigger "screen" like device.

Well, my guess is this tablet is a bigger version of iphone, with a slot on the side to slide in your iphone, with tethering, you can access FULL SCREEN internet on the go. With headphone jack on the side you can make/receive calls while the iphone is slotted in.

And maybe a built in isight, video conference on the iphone/itablet combo.

think outside the box people.

Honestly, I don't think so. Personally that patent looked more like a tablet you throw into the side of an iMac housing, and at this rate its the equivalent of a 24" ACD; you have your usb hub, charging port, and external screen, coupled with a usb bluetooth keyboard/mouse your set.

Frankly, pair it with a good VNC client, and make it as powerful as the mac mini and im sold in a heartbeat.

[villageindian]

I agree with your description except for the USB part. Apple already has a keyboard that works over BT. So I suspect that it will contain connectors like the new monitor (forgot the model!) that had the extra cables on the side to connect other devices.

I can almost guarantee that Apple's device (I refuse to call it a 'Netbook') will not have a conventional keyboard. In fact, I expect it won't have any keyboard at all; not a physical one, anyway. A virtual keyboard similar to that in the iPhone/iPod Touch is most likely, perhaps with a couple of USB connectors to permit use of an external keyboard/mouse combination. The fact that it has been reported many times that the device will use a touch screen pretty much guarantees no physical keyboard.

If this thing opens like a clamshell at all, I expect it will open like a book, not like your conventional laptop form factor. I also expect the cover will be exactly that and nothing more--a simple cover to protect the glass and maybe help provide a stand for hands-free viewing.

Anybody remember the old Star Trek "Padd"? This may be the closest thing to that concept since the original Newton.

[Michael73]

The device sounds interesting but I already own an iPhone 3GS, 15.4" MBP and a MP rigged to a 27.5".

Where does this product fit?

This rumored device won't replace my iphone (too big), it can't replace my MBP and MP for more reasons than I can count. As a guy, I'm not carrying a purse and if I'm carrying a briefcase or messenger bag, why would I carry a tablet-like device that has only 25% of the horsepower of my MBP when that same bag could carry my MBP?

I guess to put it another way, while touch screen technology is cool, I can't see people carrying around an iTablet AND a MB or MBP and it seems like a stretch that people would have both and carry one sometimes and then carry another at different times.

[hashholly]

My first Hackintosh was built using the single core Atom 1.6 running Leopard. I am amazed at how much it will do. It does very well with Photoshop CS, yes the non-native version. With CS4, it would operate much faster. It does fine with MS Office 2008, Aperture and iWork 2008. Does good on the Internet. Plays streaming TV shows over the Internet at full screen without stuttering. It burns CDs and DVDs without problems. So far, it has done everything I have asked it to do.

I do not do video rendering, so not a problem. If this was my only computer, it would be OK. However, I do have several other computers much more powerful than this one.

One thing I cannot grasp; why do so many want a touch screen? It just seems awkward to use a touch screen for input.

Not at 720p and not on hulu.com it doesn't....which is why i ditched both hackintosh netbooks i've owned.

[blackmondo]

There's a few puzzling things about a device like this for me:

1. May have already mentioned that a MacBook is fine for heavier computing needs, and the iPhone is superb for quick access to mail/web/twitter, etc. Why would one need a device like this?

2. If it's a touch screen, What OS would it run? Ideally you'd like to be able to tap in to the wonderful work done by 3rd party developers on the iPhone OS, but then the screen wouldn't really fit those apps. And running Mac OS X might be a bit awkward without a keyboard...

3. If it's an "in-between" OS, I don't think Apple would want to fragment the App Store with ANOTHER platform, and I don't think they'd want Mac OS X Developers to have to consider a "touch-exclusive" interface in their apps either.

Based on all that, for me this product doesn't seem like it fills a real NEED to me. Before the iPhone, many of us were clamoring for SOMEONE to build a phone that truly felt next-generation, and the iPhone obviously fit that bill extremely well.

The only one emerging market that I can think of where a bit of Apple-spit-and-polish might fill a need is a fantastic eReader. A Kindle-like device in full-color, with an even higher resolution screen than the iPhone would be very nice indeed for reading electronic books / magazines / newspapers. Apple could certainly change the game in that market!

[TheSpaz]

I love it! I want a cheap netbook that runs OS X. Yes, $800 is cheap.... just don't lock it to AT&T only or some crap like that.

[FoxyKaye]

$800 for a netbook, even with a touchscreen, strikes me as way too much. Unless it has some new, advanced, or otherwise unavailable features that netbooks in the market currently lack, I'd be more inclined just to purchase a MacBook for only a little more.

I can't understand Apple's unwillingness to compete in this market - the Dell Mini 9 I hacked with OS X at work to use as an everyday non-power-user portable works great - and that's just a 1.6GHz Intel Atom. If folks are making these kinds of mods to otherwise inferior Dell equipment, there's a pent-up demand for an ultra-portable *and* affordable netbook that runs OS X.

Unless there's some absolutely *wow* feature about Apple's offering, I'll be content to keep my Dell Mini 9 when Apple's product (someday) hits the market.

[J&JPolangin]

...this is very interesting, I can't wait to see what :apple: makes...

[maccompaq]

Not at 720p and not on hulu.com it doesn't....which is why i ditched both hackintosh netbooks i've owned.

When I run TV shows, they are run in Standard Definition full screen. Personally, I really cannot tell any difference in SD compared to HD TV shows on my fast computers.

[Lepton]

Look for a lack of a hardware keyboard. This will be a pad, not a book. There would be a software keyboard, plus support for a Bluetooth keyboard. This makes it more portable, lighter, yet able to use a hardware keyboard. I expect the pad to be about as thick as an iPhone.

I could see Apple selling a special Bluetooth keyboard that could clip on to the pad itself, making the package look like a closed netbook, protecting the screen and the keys. Possibly there could be a removable hinge arrangement, for those who insist on a netbook type of form factor. Best of both worlds, very Apple.

I also expect support for a Bluetooth mouse, and a stylus that, along with a finger, can take advantage of Ink technology. More predictions are on my blog.

[qbricc]

If you have a MBP and iPhone then this type of netbook is not aimed at you. Many people lust after apple products but can't afford a iphone/contract or justify a Macbook. If you can't see the point of a product then maybe its not being aimed at you. As a man I have little need for lipstick but it doesn't mean there is no market for it.

[olternaut]

Exactly. This sin't going to be a "netbook" but rather a tablet. No keyboard, more than likely the same ports as the MBA, bluetooth/wifi/GPS/and possibly a built in 3g option.

Yup. It's bascically going to be one of those super smart slate type of devices they used to use on Star Trek: The Next Generation......but better! :D

Oh.......y'all remember the slate/tablet computer Gweneth Paltrow used in the Iron Man movie? I'm hoping it will be something like that......but bettter. :D

[bruinsrme]

$800 for a netbook, even with a touchscreen, strikes me as way too much. Unless it has some new, advanced, or otherwise unavailable features that netbooks in the market currently lack, I'd be more inclined just to purchase a MacBook for only a little more.

I can't understand Apple's unwillingness to compete in this market - the Dell Mini 9 I hacked with OS X at work to use as an everyday non-power-user portable works great - and that's just a 1.6GHz Intel Atom. If folks are making these kinds of mods to otherwise inferior Dell equipment, there's a pent-up demand for an ultra-portable *and* affordable netbook that runs OS X.

Unless there's some absolutely *wow* feature about Apple's offering, I'll be content to keep my Dell Mini 9 when Apple's product (someday) hits the market.

Why apple is reluctant to enhance their line with a netbook is a question of many.

Perhaps the 13 MB did and the 13 MBP is doing so well at a significant profit margin apple doesn't want to risk losing that niche in their lineup.

[NinjaHERO]

Again, virtual keyboard technology isn't quite there yet. Assuming that is the way apple goes, I look forward to trying it. The iphone keyboard leaves much to be desired. Hopefully a bigger faster computer makes it work.

[zeasar]

Honestly, I don't think so. Personally that patent looked more like a tablet you throw into the side of an iMac housing, and at this rate its the equivalent of a 24" ACD; you have your usb hub, charging port, and external screen, coupled with a usb bluetooth keyboard/mouse your set.

Frankly, pair it with a good VNC client, and make it as powerful as the mac mini and im sold in a heartbeat.

Apple never show what their product exactly looks like in their patents. Its just the concepts that shows.

So i will say its a tablet with usb port(s), magsafe, bluetooth, wifi, isight, iphone slot and an optional stand for desktop use.

[imwoblin]

Agreed completely.

Can I see that flowchart?

Mini-tablet? Doesn't look like it anymore… I wonder how they'll combine touchscreen with Mac OS X.

Here's the Google translation for anyone interested:

Yikes! My brain hurt's after trying to make sense of that translation :eek:
Although I can probably blame the Cuervo Gold nectar of the gods from last night! :D

[oyebto]

maybe it doesnt come with a keyboard or a trackpad. they will probably be accessories, typical of apple.:D

[hashholly]

If you have a MBP and iPhone then this type of netbook is not aimed at you. Many people lust after apple products but can't afford a iphone/contract or justify a Macbook. If you can't see the point of a product then maybe its not being aimed at you. As a man I have little need for lipstick but it doesn't mean there is no market for it.

Not true, i own a mini, MBP and an Iphone and this device would be perfect for me. As it is now my mini acts as a server, and doubles as my main connected to a 24" ACD for my graphics work. The MBP is my portable machine, and my Iphone is my Ipod/phone. Frankly i dont enjoy surfing the net on the iphone for long periods of time, so thats where the MBP comes in, with this i can hide my server away, connect my MBP to the ACD and use this one the go for my surfing.

Frankly i could see this tablet being used as a godly e-book reader in schools/universities, and im sure it has benefits for the medical industry.

[DELLsFan]

I hope to hell that Apple does not enter the netbook market, as they already said. The iPhone/iPod touch IS their netbook. Unless they come up with something crazily innovative (i.e. nothing less inventive than a collapsable computer), they will end up creating a crappy product. Is that not Apple's worst fear?

No. Their worst fear is that it WILL sell well - proving that consumers DO want something other than expensive MacPros, Unibody MBP nirvana, and iMacs. The $800 price tag could very well be an ingenious attempt to stave off enthusiasm for the niche market so they can say THEY were right - and consumers don't want netbooks. :p

I draw the line at 10.1". You really need a 92% keyboard at the very least.

For a physical keyboard, I agree. A virtual one is another matter altogether. :eek:

Everyone said I should wait for the Apple netbook that was coming "inevitably", instead of buying a Windows based netbook. I'm glad I didn't. Even if it's true, there's no way I'd pay $800 for one, much less be able to afford it.

I don't see an $800 netbook selling too well.

Neither do I - for the moment. However, I am in the mold of standard keyboard and no touch screen. If this "netbook" is actually going to be a touch tablet with virtual keyboard, etc ... it will raise the ceiling on the genre as only Apple can. The sheer genious in innovation will be enough to make the product successful. There is plenty of crow to go around. I'll enjoy passing out the napkins here. :p

[Lesser Evets]

If it is a MaxiPod affair instead of a mini-notebook, I will buy one immediately. It is the answers to almost all my mobile computing needs. If Apple makes a mini-notebook, I won't even get close to the device... might as well buy a half priced tiny thing from PC-land. And, those make me barf.

[TheSpaz]

Who says it's going to be 100% touch screen? What if it looks like a miniature unibody MacBook with a keyboard and a touch screen? I figured it was going to have a keyboard because it's not a phone, it's a computer. All of Apple's computers have hard keys. The iPhone is an exception because it is a phone. I can't imagine having to use a touch screen-only computer... that would be way too much touching to get any real work done.

[bossxii]

My bet is on, as others have stated, this new device being a tablet. Archos has attempted to get this type of tablet right for some years, and still failing to put it all together. I don't think Apple will release a netbook in the terms of small screen/small keyboard, my money is on 9.7" iPhone style media tablet. I can't say id be happy if it just is based on the iPhone software, but if it has a full OSX, ability to multitask and run full applications I can see the demand, even at $800 a pop.

[Tallest Skil]

No. Their worst fear is that it WILL sell well - proving that consumers DO want something other than expensive MacPros

Uh, no, that's MY worst fear.

They start thinking that people don't want Mac Pros, they'll stop making them. Then the pros will stop using Macs, software will stop being written, and the company will flounder.

[imwoblin]

I think this could be a very exciting new category, ie "NetPad". Use a 10" detachable, swivel screen. This allows both a keypad when attached and a touchscreen pad when disconnected. Use a scaled down hybrid version of Snow Leopard / iPhone 3.0 software. Include some of the nifty new software included with the iPhone 3GS such as touch screen video editing w/HD camera and so on. I would buy one of these in a second for about $800. Would define a new subset category. Makes a lot more sense than a $800 24" LED Cinema Display!

[Ano]

but perhaps this tablet, touchscreen device is some kind of secret collaboration project between AAPL and GOOG for the upcoming Chrome OS.

[Tallest Skil]

but perhaps this tablet, touchscreen device is some kind of secret collaboration project between AAPL and GOOG for the upcoming Chrome OS.

100% no.

Apple makes their own OS. End of story.

[andiwm2003]

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

Also, I don't believe this. Apple touts a full-size keyboard, and you can't HAVE THAT on a computer this small.

if i could tether it to my iphone i would love to have that piece of crap.

i can only use IE6 at work, mobileme refuses to work with IE6 and I would love to have something better for email and web than the iPhone.

also having it run all iphone apps, having my mac keychain and kindle would be great.

i can see a market for it if it's well made like the iphone.

My bet is on, as others have stated, this new device being a tablet. Archos has attempted to get this type of tablet right for some years, and still failing to put it all together. I don't think Apple will release a netbook in the terms of small screen/small keyboard, my money is on 9.7" iPhone style media tablet. I can't say id be happy if it just is based on the iPhone software, but if it has a full OSX, ability to multitask and run full applications I can see the demand, even at $800 a pop.

if it tales a AT&T simcard for G3 internet access and if I can plug in a external keyboard it would be great.

it certainly won't be a notebook replacement in any way.

[polaris20]

I'm all for a netbook as long as it has a full size keyboard and doesn't perform like crap, i.e. it'll run intensive iMovie renderings in a reasonable time.

Apple won't make anything without a full size keyboard (except the iPhone). It's been a selling point of Apple notebooks for years.

I won't buy it if it has a single core Atom or a dual core Atom. I want a Core 2 Duo or better.

And I don't want to pay a premium for it. These days Apple uses the same parts as everyone else so I don't see why It can't be ~$400. But someone, can't remember who, said Apple doesn't know how to make a sub-$500 computer that isn't a piece of crap.

Then it's not longer a netbook. Show me a current Windows or Linux based netbook for $400 that does all that you request, and doesn't use an Atom.

Hint: it doesn't exist. So why would Apple do it?


I won't buy it if it has a single core Atom or a dual core Atom. I want a Core 2 Duo or better.

Can I ask what is better than a Core 2 Duo? Are you requiring an i7 in your netbook?

[skinnylegs]

but perhaps this tablet, touchscreen device is some kind of secret collaboration project between AAPL and GOOG for the upcoming Chrome OS.Not likely.

I'm seeing more of an OS X / iPhone OS 3.0 hybrid.

[macFanDave]

Yesterday my daughter and I went to the Apple Store to see how she likes the 13" MacBook Pro. It is only $1199 ($1099 at the online education store) and still carries the Pro moniker.

There is only one MacBook left, the $999 white one. It seems to me that Apple is going to need to create some more models that they can call MacBook and they don't have much room, in terms of price, to create more expensive models.

My prediction, therefore, is that Apple will create MacBooks that are cheaper than the existing one. I doubt it will be a me-too netbook type computer. Remember, this is Apple we are talking about -- if they jump in an area, it will ceratinly be with a product that is different and superior.

[baleensavage]

I agree with the other posters that said that it won't be a netbook, it will be in a class of it's own. Just look at what Apple did with the "smartphone" market when they released the iPhone.

Also, as a Netbook owner myself, IMHO the people that say that Netbooks suck are totally missing the point. The majority of what most people use computers for is simple, internet browsing and word processing with a little photo editing thrown in for good measure. And none of those require 1/10th of the computer that most modern laptops or desktops have. I use my Mac for anything that requires serious computing. But for those times when I want to kick back and just look at Facebook or write my novel, the netbook is perfect. It's small, lightweight and does exactly what I need it to without all the bells and whistles that just get in the way.

As for the $800 price point? If Apple is making a netbook they might as well not bother. I paid $400 for my HP netbook with a printer. I wouldn't pay more than that for anything with an Atom processor, even if it was from Apple. But I think Apple's "netbook" will be something completely different. Heck, even if it was an iPod touch that was twice the size of the current model and twice as fast, it might be worth $500 IMHO. But if it's gonna cost $800, I'll just pay an extra $200 and buy a Macbook.

[Michael CM1]

my guess is that this will take over the macbook name. i dont know what will happen to the current white macbook. all im hoping for is a touchscreen and a physical keyboard. maybe even an adjustable screen that fold over the keyboard and become a tablet.

That's what I was thinking as well. With the MBP taking up everything but the one low-ball model, Apple seems to be hinting like crazy that there will be more models coming at cheaper prices. Now I don't expect Apple to get something under $500, but somewhere in the $700-800 isn't crazy. I honestly don't see the advantage of a touchscreen in a netbook (vs. a tablet), but maybe Apple knows something I don't.

[Eric S.]

$800? Using what processor? Like all Apple tablet rumors, I'll believe it when I see it.

[MacRumorUser]

Just when you got sick of waiting and bought a macbook pro instead...

:rolleyes::)

Oh and I'd expect it to be more expensive than the cheapest Macbook at least. €950

[LagunaSol]

I really don't see why Apple is so resistant to the idea of making a netbook.

Razor-thin margins that are eaten up by support costs for an underpowered device that ultimately hurts your brand image with consumers?

Apple has no reason to compete with vendors who are cutting each others' throats over nickels and dimes.

[ob81]

Well of course you wouldn't pay that for a netbook.
It's a good thing then that Apple's product won't be a netbook!
It will be a product category unto itself. *sigh* Please try to keep up people. It has only been proclaimed for YEARS now that Apple's product won't be a netbook or a "tablet" in the traditional sense but because we have no other words to describe what Apple is doing we have to use "netbook" or "tablet" to refer to Apple's new product.


I can agree with this... if we knew what Apple was building, or if we knew that they were building anything at all. At this point, it is all speculation. You have one side that thinks they know exactly what is going on, and they don't. You have the other side that is going on what they already know. Both sides have no clue what apple is doing. What we do know is that Apple, if they are working on something smaller than their current lineup,
will be dancing very close to that netbook area.

One would hope that it will be awesome. One would hope that it will be something that we all couldn't have guessed.

I do know that we will find out together, because we don't know.

[Airforcekid]

Has anyone considered it to be the new ipod touch? Maybe to replace the iPod classic and put a 160GB+ hard drive inside? Making a touch pro while keeping the smaller version flash?:apple:

[wizard]

You know there is a difference between a chipset and a motherboard, right? If you meant motherboard, then sure, I'm sure it would fit; it's the size of a mouse. Literally.

Anybody that has looked at a tear down knows that is BS. It does make me wonder though if people think Apple has magicians working for them. For a given technology level there is only so much that can be stuffed into a case.


Oh, an I forgot to mention that I will not buy anything that runs the iPhone OS other than the iPhone and iPT. I'll also be the first to complain here about it if it is true.
To bad for you!!!! Oh and frankly I don't want to hear your whining especially if you are building up to an unwelcomed public display of ignorance.

There are a number of things to consider but number one is that any OS used on the device is likely to be a hybrid of user space libraries. Where those libraries come from is an open question but at least some of them could come from iPhone and be used to good effect.

In any event the OS will likely be tied to the underlying hardware. If the device is an ARM based tablet then certainly an iPhone OS derived system is the way to go. If it is an i86 based clam shell then Mac OS is where we should derive the OS. It is all about target audience and frankly I see about equal demand for an ARM device and an i86 device.

It all depends upon how Apple wishes to market the device. They just need to realize that many of us are looking for an ARM based device with very long battery lifetimes. The tech simply isn't there yet to do a i86 tablet that can perform equivalently. Especially considering intels ignorant marketing of Atom and thier reluctance to release dual core Atoms to this market. Of course this may be Apples work around with the slightly smaller screen. That is to get dual core Atom in under Intels size restrictions.

Atom is nice and all but I still believe Apple could do a much better machine with ARM. Further such products tie in better with the ARM & PA Semi rumors. It all comes around again to the idea if you have ARM you might as well use an OS derived from the iPhone. Combine the iPhone OS with something like SL dock and you end up with a powerful platform for executing programs on a small screen.


Dave

[olternaut]

Who says it's going to be 100% touch screen? What if it looks like a miniature unibody MacBook with a keyboard and a touch screen? I figured it was going to have a keyboard because it's not a phone, it's a computer. All of Apple's computers have hard keys. The iPhone is an exception because it is a phone. I can't imagine having to use a touch screen-only computer... that would be way too much touching to get any real work done.

It's going to be 100% touchscreen. Again, all of you need to pay more attention to what Apple is doing.
And again, Steve Jobs will have to introduce to the market something the market was too dimwitted to realize it needed.

[3247]

my guess is that this will take over the macbook name. i dont know what will happen to the current white macbook. all im hoping for is a touchscreen and a physical keyboard. maybe even an adjustable screen that fold over the keyboard and become a tablet.

I expect a whole product line that's Atom-based and carries the MacBook name—the first models to be released along with Snow Leopard.

[Mac21ND]

Here's my guess (I haven't read the past 6 pages of comments)

It'll be called the MacBook Touch, part of a new lower cost MacBook line along with a sole MacBook notebook. When Apple renamed the 13 MacBook the "MacBook Pro" they tipped their hand at some type of lower level MacBook line expansion.

[Tallest Skil]

It's going to be 100% touchscreen. Again, all of you need to pay more attention to what Apple is doing.
And again, Steve Jobs will have to introduce to the market something the market was too dimwitted to realize it needed.

Unfortunately, the device will be somewhat crippled in no less than two and no more than four ways, and within two years, there will be four competitors, two of which from the other major PC manufacturers, but it won't matter, as Apple will have had a year's advantage (minimum) and people will want their device over the thoroughly uglier PC counterparts.

[mac jones]

Just goes to show you

The Taiwanese are dreamers too ;)

[ToeCutter]

Razor-thin margins that are eaten up by support costs for an underpowered device that ultimately hurts your brand image with consumers?

Apple has no reason to compete with vendors who are cutting each others' throats over nickels and dimes.

Care to take a crack at explaining AppleTV then?

[kingtj]

I could easily see this device being similar in shape and design to the Kindle readers. Perhaps they'll even put a mini-keyboard at the bottom of it, like the Kindle has -- but make the touch-screen the primary method of interaction?

It won't just be a "me too" Kindle clone device, because the Kindle is positioned as a single-purpose device, not a full-blown computer (even though it could have been a lot more).


It's going to be 100% touchscreen. Again, all of you need to pay more attention to what Apple is doing.
And again, Steve Jobs will have to introduce to the market something the market was too dimwitted to realize it needed.

[iMacmatician]

If memory serves, there was a rumor of a large purchase of either 10.1 or 10.4 inch screens. So 9.7 inch doesn't sound right.

Well of course you wouldn't pay that for a netbook.
It's a good thing then that Apple's product won't be a netbook!
It will be a product category unto itself. *sigh* Please try to keep up people. It has only been proclaimed for YEARS now that Apple's product won't be a netbook or a "tablet" in the traditional sense but because we have no other words to describe what Apple is doing we have to use "netbook" or "tablet" to refer to Apple's new product.I use "mini-tablet" for the rumored iPhone OS-based larger-than-iPod touch with possible additional features device, is that close enough? :D

Man, with a 9.7 inch screen it will be probably like an iphone user interface, bunch of icons but much more powerful.I can see that happening but 9.7" almost seems too big for the iPhone OS. It does seem a bit cramped for Mac OS X unless they go high-dpi. The price is too high for iPhone OS too.

T2. If it's a touch screen, What OS would it run? Ideally you'd like to be able to tap in to the wonderful work done by 3rd party developers on the iPhone OS, but then the screen wouldn't really fit those apps. And running Mac OS X might be a bit awkward without a keyboard...I've always said iPhone OS with additional features/apps. Not really a hybrid OS but something more than what is on the iPhone / iPod touch. I'm thinking of a few ways out of the display size problem.

Apps could zoom to fill the display, so each GUI element increases 9.7/3.5 times in length and width
Apps could extend to fill the display, this works like resizing Mac OS X windows
Apps could work in a windowed or split-screen environment (a mini-tablet "additional feature") for multiple-app viewing. Not all visible apps have to be the same size either. For example, one app could be extended to fill half the display while two others could fill 1/4 the display (closer to iPhone size).

T3. If it's an "in-between" OS, I don't think Apple would want to fragment the App Store with ANOTHER platform, and I don't think they'd want Mac OS X Developers to have to consider a "touch-exclusive" interface in their apps either. That was my first thought when I heard that rumor. Plus, if the hybrid OS is a stripped-down Mac OS X, it would have to lose something, and then applications that require that "something" to run won't work.

It is all about target audience and frankly I see about equal demand for an ARM device and an i86 device. That's true, and is there any reason why Apple couldn't release two devices? Or do they want to just release one for simplicity?

[frjonah]

Well, just to throw my 2 cents in, I think the new tablet thingy that Apple is making will have a giant click wheel only on the base part of the device like the one featured in this informative and innovative news article:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BnLbv6QYcA

...hope those of you that haven't seen that enjoyed it :D

I don't know what it'll really have, but the following would be pretty cool:

1. Touchscreen keyboard (that can become anything else) on the "base" of the device... top can fold and swivel to turn the touchscreen into a giant iPod touch. The display is non-touch, only the "base part" is touch, and maybe it'll have that tactile feedback technology that was recently described in an Apple patent.
2. BT/USB keyboard may come with the device...
3. Apple launches a new store (or "department" of the app store) to provide kindle-like book downloads... Built in "free" cell connection a-la-kindle
4. Full OSX/SL to provide touchscreen support (w/ Core 2 duo, at least 1gb RAM, Decent SSD, SD Slot, etc)
5. A $300 iTunes gift card to prevent fruit-rage
6. A big, fat, glowing, pulsating apple logo on it to force us kool-aid drinkers to shell out the dough

Here's to waiting and seeing :)

[droz]

I'm getting exhausted by all these journalists that can't figure out that a tablet is not a netbook. Apple clearly won't go down the netbook road. The netbook market is already starting to show weakness. A recent report found that 60% or more of respondants said that they were unpleasantly surprised by the lack of power, screen real estate, and OS functionality in their netbooks. Apple isn't going to follow suit. If they are developing anything it will be a tablet, and it won't have a physical keyboard at all.

Stop using netbook and tablet interchangeably. They are not the same thing. Apple is not developing a netbook.

[LagunaSol]

Care to take a crack at explaining AppleTV then?

Razors and razor blades.

[optophobia]

I wonder if it will be called an Applet.....

[kingtj]

Umm, AppleTV is just a tool to entice more people to purchase iTunes store offerings. It's kind of difficult to sell a lot of people on digital movie purchases if you're going to say "The only devices you can watch them on are your computer screens and iPods or iPhones." AppleTV gives a "no brainer" way to allow the media to view on a standard TV set.


Care to take a crack at explaining AppleTV then?

[olternaut]

Unfortunately, the device will be somewhat crippled in no less than two and no more than four ways, and within two years, there will be four competitors, two of which from the other major PC manufacturers, but it won't matter, as Apple will have had a year's advantage (minimum) and people will want their device over the thoroughly uglier PC counterparts.

*sigh* Yes, I see that happening as well. I'm sure Apple will build in some cripplizations (is that a word? LOL) which will be addressed in future revisions. No cut N paste from the get go perhaps? haha
But yeah, it wouldn't matter cause once Apple lays the foundation the ENTIRE market will wait a whole friggin year to get their act together but by then it will be too late.

[Compile 'em all]

The name will be Macbook Touch.

remember folks, you read it here first :D

[gibbz]

I'm getting exhausted by all these journalists that can't figure out that a tablet is not a netbook. Apple clearly won't go down the netbook road. The netbook market is already starting to show weakness. A recent report found that 60% or more of respondants said that they were unpleasantly surprised by the lack of power, screen real estate, and OS functionality in their netbooks. Apple isn't going to follow suit. If they are developing anything it will be a tablet, and it won't have a physical keyboard at all.

Stop using netbook and tablet interchangeably. They are not the same thing. Apple is not developing a netbook.

+1 Apple will never release anything with the monicker of netbook. Hell, M$ doesn't even want the term netbook to be used anymore. The word netbook infers a low-powered piece of junk machine.

Apple will do what Apple does best. They will move into an area that competitors have dabbled in but not committed to, then completely redefine the market. Competitors will be forced to up their game but will remain hopelessly behind.

[Tallest Skil]

I could easily see this device being similar in shape and design to the Kindle readers. Perhaps they'll even put a mini-keyboard at the bottom of it, like the Kindle has -- but make the touch-screen the primary method of interaction?

No. Not at all possible.

I wonder if it will be called an Applet.....

MacTablet. Apple does NOT put the company name in the name of their products. They want the word "Mac" in there. Steve said so himself in August 2006.

[Marx55]

Great, as long as it has the following features:

- As light (400 g or less) and small (pocketable) as possible. The MacBook Air is too heavy and too large for us!
- Runs Mac OS X to open NATIVE Apple Keynote (.key) and Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) files for full blown presentations (transitions, animations, etc). Editing such files a bonus. Likewise, opens QuickTime (.mov) movies.
- Video-out port for videopresentations on videoprojector.
- At least two USB ports for wireless remote control and pendrive storage compatibility.
- Firewire for Target Disk Mode Repairs.
- Ethernet port for wired Internet. Wi-Fi a bonus. Bluetooth a bonus.
- True GPS a bonus.

See the first picture at:
Next Apple moves will be Books and Games…
http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/next-apple-moves-will-be-books-and-games

An order of thousands for our University is just waiting for it!

[michael.lauden]

The name will be Macbook Touch.

remember folks, you read it here first :D

wow really creative, how would you guess that

[Compile 'em all]

Unfortunately, the device will be somewhat crippled in no less than two and no more than four ways, and within two years, there will be four competitors, two of which from the other major PC manufacturers, but it won't matter, as Apple will have had a year's advantage (minimum) and people will want their device over the thoroughly uglier PC counterparts.

Do you understand the concept of Patents? And Operating Systems?

Just like not everyone makes an operating system to run on PCs and tablets, not everyone will be able to do so on this new touch device.

In fact, I am guessing Apple will go with a full fledged OS X on the Macbook Touch. Other manufactures can't simply "copy" an OS. On the iPhone things are different.

[yiyopr]

I really think were looking at an eBook reader here, apple revolutionized mp3 players with the market. The amazon kindle is good but its not "quite there yet". I really think apple making an eBook reader and starting an eBook store inside iTunes is the way to go. This touchscreen actually fits that profile.

[hashholly]

Great, as long as it has the following features:

- As light (400 g or less) and small (pocketable) as possible. The MacBook Air is too heavy and too large for us!
- Runs Mac OS X to open NATIVE Apple Keynote (.key) and Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) files for full blown presentations (transitions, animations, etc). Editing such files a bonus. Likewise, opens QuickTime (.mov) movies.
- Video-out port for videopresentations on videoprojector.
- At least two USB ports for wireless remote control and pendrive storage compatibility.
- Firewire for Target Disk Mode Repairs.
- Ethernet port for wired Internet. Wi-Fi a bonus. Bluetooth a bonus.
- True GPS a bonus.

See the first picture at:
Next Apple moves will be Books and Games…
http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/next-apple-moves-will-be-books-and-games

An order of thousands for our University is just waiting for it!

Close, but do not expect the ports to be any different than MBA, so expect one usb port, external ethernet adapter, no firewire, and mini-display-port

[baleensavage]

I really think were looking at an eBook reader here, apple revolutionized mp3 players with the market.

But according to Steve Jobs, "people don't read books any more." ;) As much as I'd love to see a decent competitor to the Kindle, I don't see Apple doing it. It's really too much of a niche market at this point.

[puffnstuff]

To those who say it's far fetched because there is no market...

Once a notebook/netbook is so small it becomes a pain to type and use the scroll pad. Much easier to just tap things.

The market wasn't ready for a tablet before but they are ready for it now and clamoring for it because there is a huge increase for those that want something small.

And finally Apple is going to make this. There were mp3s before the iPod, touch screen phones before the iPhone but once Apple makes their version everyone wants one and wants to compete making something similar.

[Tallest Skil]

Other manufactures can't simply "copy" an OS. On the iPhone things are different.

No, it's exactly the same. All post-iPhone touchscreen phones have interfaces that look as though they were stolen directly from the iPhone with just enough changes to be called a new patent.

A MacTablet would run full OS X, sure, but so every post-MacTablet PC tablet would run Windows 7 with specialized touchscreen drivers.

[MikeDTyke]

Because tying your customers to a telecom is the most intelligent thing you can do. :rolleyes:

Keep the 3G card off, please, Apple.

The smart thing would be to include the 3G radio but make using it completely optional. ie. buy it at $800 retail, no sim or buy it at $300 from a phone company with a service plan and sim. As this thing will not carry the name iPhone, sell it to whoever wants to stock it. The 3G radio costs round $12 in volume, that's chip, antennae assembly and licensing of software radio. They've done the integration work for OS X already on the iPhone.

Just include it in the BOM and suddenly those fools that think $800 is way to high for a netbook suddenly have a second if foolish option.

M.

[thejakill]

It will be a tablet, with a touchscreen, like a bigger iPod touch. It will use iPhone software. It won't cost $800, because you will have it subsidized by AT&T with their monthly data plan.

[munkees]

so is a netbook, more like a over grown iPod touch or a shrunk down MacBook?

[puffnstuff]

was there a report a while back stating that Snow Leopard has some features pertaining to touch?

I think it was on CNET but don't quote me on that

[thejadedmonkey]

What if the Macbook line is just the first line to have a touch screen? After all, it looks like SL is being optimized for a touch screen.

So ignore the touchscreen...

We have an $800 netbook. What would make it worth $800? The internet, of course.

Imagine:
Blazing fast OS X on a 1.6 dual core atom CPU, 9400m, 64gb SSD, and free 3G internet for a year. How's that sound?

[fun173]

there are 17" PCs that fit that definition ;)

hey lets leave dell out of this hahaha

[bhop123]

My guess is it will be a Kindle type tablet (not netbook - got to read between the lines when they said they are not interested in a netbook - they didn't say they weren't interested in a tablet concept) with virtual keyboard running OSX.

All the pieces are already in play. Uni-body shell in MB's, finger 'smudgeless' (or whatever you call it) glass on iPhone, plus basic technology for virtual keyboard and OS. I mean you can almost imagine it now. This to me is a no brainer. Not sure about the price point, but that would all be determined by how much horsepower they build into it. I think it would sell and it would do what Apple has always done - introduce a new innovative concept that changes how a particular market segment operates (from mp3 players to cell phones to laptops).

[wesleyh]

Give it a pixel qi screen and an ebook reader app and I'll buy it day 1. Otherwise, no.

[QCassidy352]

And strangely enough, software has changed in the last few years, so the definition of useless is CONSTANTLY changing. Meaning that what you have said holds absolutely no merit.

Today's most powerful computer is five years' hence nigh-on-useless computer.

You're right; I can't think of a single use for a mid-2004 dual G5. :rolleyes:

[Mattie Num Nums]

I still have mixed feelings towards this "netbook". My fear being that Apple will drive up the price of this market.

[puffnstuff]

Applenet like Kindle's whishpernet allowing you free access to the iTunes store via AT&Ts 3G network. Couple that with a iTunes subscription and a better movie library.

[BTW]

Apple would be seen as losing their touch if they ignore this market. It is not a niche but a major segment of the computer industry. I saw one gentleman with one at the local Red Robin browsing the internet (kinda weird in a restaurant - oh well).

Many mobile carriers are greatly subsidizing the devices and even giving a number of them away for free.

The iPhone is not a substitute and if Apple keeps playing that card then they'll keep losing market share.

[DianeL19]

My first Hackintosh was built using the single core Atom 1.6 running Leopard. I am amazed at how much it will do. It does very well with Photoshop CS, yes the non-native version. With CS4, it would operate much faster. It does fine with MS Office 2008, Aperture and iWork 2008. Does good on the Internet. Plays streaming TV shows over the Internet at full screen without stuttering. It burns CDs and DVDs without problems. So far, it has done everything I have asked it to do.

I do not do video rendering, so not a problem. If this was my only computer, it would be OK. However, I do have several other computers much more powerful than this one.

One thing I cannot grasp; why do so many want a touch screen? It just seems awkward to use a touch screen for input.
That is pretty impressive for an Atom processor. Substitute a dual core Atom to get even more power, still at a very low price. It amazing how little people know about the power of the Atom.

[olternaut]

+1 Apple will never release anything with the monicker of netbook. Hell, M$ doesn't even want the term netbook to be used anymore. The word netbook infers a low-powered piece of junk machine.

Apple will do what Apple does best. They will move into an area that competitors have dabbled in but not committed to, then completely redefine the market. Competitors will be forced to up their game but will remain hopelessly behind.

*sigh* Yup. Hopelessly behind. But perhaps the knockoffs will be open enough to where they might be attractive alternatives.

[Tallest Skil]

You're right; I can't think of a single use for a mid-2004 dual G5. :rolleyes:

Hence the "nigh-on-" part. ;)

It's a good iTunes server.

[macdim]

I'm thinking touchscreen, but only because they've figured out a way to keep fingerprints manageable. The oleophobic coating on the new iPhone could be a precursor to the screen on this thing. I'm sure they've had this technology for a while, but this may be some foreshadowing for what's to come. Supply a small cloth and fingerprints will wipe off the screen easily without the need for liquid.

Maybe not, lol.

Whatever.

[Lone Deranger]

Neither... no wait, both!! no wait... :p

so is a netbook, more like a over grown iPod touch or a shrunk down MacBook?

[DianeL19]

I'm thinking touchscreen, but only because they've figured out a way to keep fingerprints manageable. The oleophobic coating on the new iPhone could be a precursor to the screen on this thing. I'm sure they've had this technology for a while, but this may be some foreshadowing for what's to come. Supply a small cloth and fingerprints will wipe off the screen easily without the need for liquid.Maybe not, lol.Whatever.

How can you be productive using a touchscreen?

[iJeep]

back in may, I posted a prediction. it would just fit in what we might have learned from today's rumors:

apple's next new product will be spectacular, it will define a new category of products and - most importantly - it will cannibalize neither the iPhone business, nor the MacBook sales. it will be the next, the fourth pillar of Apple's success.

it will be a MacTouch.

- a 10 " tablet, nine times the screen size and resolution of the iPhone, resembling the iPhone from the looks an being roughly as thick
- thus immediately working with every existing iPhone app
- combining everything from the iPhone (3G, WiFI, Bluetooth, AppStore, iTunes synching) with everything from the mac (iLife and iWork will work with new preinstalled specialized versions for touch control) - OS X Snow Leopard is the key - that's why they focus on performance.
- it will be touch controlled with a large visual/virtual keyboard, but of course the existing sleek Apple wireless Keyboard will work immediately using Bluetooth
- it will have 1 or 2 (micro)USB-ports making it the ideal device for storing, presenting and basic editing of photos and videos while on holiday, for watching videos with the family (for eventually it will be possible to import our DVDs in iTunes just like our CDs ...)
- it will have a front camera and microphone for video-conferencing or for putting your face into games or for making fun photos with photo booth
- it will be THE new gaming device for groups, playing all the famous board games on a screen large enough lying in front of you and sitting on every side of it (like chess with touch control and animation)
- it will be THE new book reader (though i have some doubts concerning readability in sunlight and battery life when compared to e-ink devices like the kindle), especially making it possible to produce "books" with integrated video and sound content
- it will have a stand to work as a notebook screen when typing with the keyboard or to use as small display to watch videos or digital tv or for presentations (maybe a protective cover doubles as a stand when flipped over ..)
- it will have a bluetooth remote control, reasonably good speakers and - hopefully - a SD-card reader built in
- it will be gorgeous, lightweight and affordable without being cheap and crappy like the windows netbooks
- it will be priced between the iPhone/ iPod touch and the MacBook - let me guess: somewhere between $ 499 with 8 GB and without iWork and $ 799 with 32 or even 64 GB and including iWork
- it will be THE product to present your creative work on the go, to watch video and photos in a group, to work on documents with basic editing while sitting in the bus or on the plane, to check and write emails and much more
- we will be allowed to use our existing apple software on this product without an extra fee
- it will work and synchronise with iTunes on a PC, thus being the entrance to the real mac world for old time PC-customers (they simply will want to buy an OS X-system next time a new notebook or desktop will be needed)
- it can be used like the iPhone, but it can't replace it (because of size), it can be used like a MacBook but it can't replace it (because of lack of keyboard, processing speed, lack of large storing space, limited display resolution, limited connectivity)
- it is simply the perfect companion in between.

- it will be revolutionary
- it will be presented in a special event this summer by Steve Jobs, celebrating his return to the public
- it will be available in time for the holiday season


what do you think?

[wizard]

I use "mini-tablet" for the rumored iPhone OS-based larger-than-iPod touch with possible additional features device, is that close enough? :D

Well not bad, I use Newton2 for a devices with a screen smaller than about 7". I guess that a mini-Tablet could be anything larger that is also smaller than a sheet of paper.


I can see that happening but 9.7" almost seems too big for the iPhone OS. It does seem a bit cramped for Mac OS X unless they go high-dpi. The price is too high for iPhone OS too.

The price really isn't an issue, remember what an unlocked iPhone costs. On the other hand I agree that the size is awkward. As to iPhone IS that can be easily modified to leverage the screen. Just think of the Dock in SL, it makes multi tasking on small screens easy.


I've always said iPhone OS with additional features/apps. Not really a hybrid OS but something more than what is on the iPhone / iPod touch. I'm thinking of a few ways out of the display size problem.

I'm not sure why people knock iPhone OS as it is the basis for an excellent OS offering for small battery powered devices.


Apps could zoom to fill the display, so each GUI element increases 9.7/3.5 times in length and width

Already supported! Apple advises developers to make sure thier apps are not resolution dependant. Though zoom might not be the right phrase here.

Apps could extend to fill the display, this works like resizing Mac OS X windows

This is also certainly possible and many of the canned interface elements do this already. Scroll lists are an example here.

Apps could work in a windowed or split-screen environment (a mini-tablet "additional feature") for multiple-app viewing. Not all visible apps have to be the same size either. For example, one app could be extended to fill half the display while two others could fill 1/4 the display (closer to iPhone size).

This would require the addition of a higher level Windows manager. Not at all impossible but there are alternatives.


That was my first thought when I heard that rumor. Plus, if the hybrid OS is a stripped-down Mac OS X, it would have to lose something, and then applications that require that "something" to run won't work.

Yeah all sorts of issues pop up if a legacy OS is used. You end up making all the mistakes made in the past all over again. Mac OS on a tablet or small clam shell is a big mistake in my mind.


That's true, and is there any reason why Apple couldn't release two devices? Or do they want to just release one for simplicity?

I would suspect that two devices of the same size would be a big no no. On the other hand I see no problem with a smaller ARM based machine and a larger tablet for the Mac OS crowd. I just can't see Apple being real successful with a Mac OS based tablet. It would end up in histories scrap heap. An ARM based device simply has the capability to offer up more in a small box while at the same time offering good battery life. This especially the case if Apple tailors an ARM based SoC to the product. Atom takes up to much space and to much juice. Of course Apple could be waiting fir a next generation device from Intel or it's Atom partners which would throw all of the above out the window.


Dave




Dave

[daihard]

Why not just make a netbook with atom etc. but make OS X work perfectly on it, maybe throw in some fancy Apple stuff? And ya know... only charge $500. Anyone with a Dell 9/Acer/MSi Wind can rig up a "Mac" with 90% of the features and it runs just peachy.

If I were to buy an expensive (i.e. $500) Apple netbook, it would have to be because of the touchscreen feature. Otherwise I'd simply buy a $300 Acer and install Ubuntu on it.

[hawk eyes]

If it looks anything like the slick CrunchPad prototype, but with a custom OS X operating system then I'm sold.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/03/crunchpad-the-launch-prototype/

[taio84]

How can you be productive using a touchscreen?

Actually i'm really hoping this device could double as an input device for your mac, immagine a touch screen device, that when close to your computer becomes a very evolved trackpad with screen and multitouch (i'd love to be able to have some of finalcut or photoshop tools on it), then when far from "real" computer it's a cool internet device with some working capabilities.

[Tallest Skil]

- a 10 " tablet, nine times the screen size and resolution of the iPhone

Contradiction.

- thus immediately working with every existing iPhone app

Okay, go ahead and put an ARM processor in there if you want. No one would buy it.

- it will be touch controlled with a large visual/virtual keyboard, but of course the existing sleek Apple wireless Keyboard will work immediately using Bluetooth

Immediately? Dreams.

- it will have 1 or 2 (micro)USB-ports

Nope. Apple doesn't use Micro USB. It would have one USB-A, if anything.

- it will have a front camera and microphone for video-conferencing

So an iSight.

or for putting your face into games

Uh, no.

or for making fun photos with photo booth

So an iSight.

- it will be THE new gaming device for groups, playing all the famous board games on a screen large enough lying in front of you and sitting on every side of it (like chess with touch control and animation)

Except OS X doesn't suit itself to games.

reasonably good speakers

Made my day.

a SD-card reader built in

Three months ago I'd have laughed. Now this seems possible.

affordable

Definition, please?

somewhere between $ 499 with 8 GB and without iWork and $ 799 with 32 or even 64 GB and including iWork

Thank you. You just made my day AGAIN.

- we will be allowed to use our existing apple software on this product without an extra fee

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. YEAH! RIGHT! :eek:

- it will be presented in a special event this summer by Steve Jobs, celebrating his return to the public

Is September summer? Because that's the soonest it would happen.

And the screen would be an oval. Like this!

[iNelson]

An apple employee told a friend of mine that the white Macbook was being phased out. Perhaps this is its replacement.

[daihard]

If it looks anything like the slick CrunchPad prototype, but with a custom OS X operating system then I'm sold.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/03/crunchpad-the-launch-prototype/

Looks very nice, except it seems a bit too big for me. If the screen size is less than 10" (diagonal), then I'm sold too.

[hayesk]

It will be a tablet, with a touchscreen, like a bigger iPod touch. It will use iPhone software. It won't cost $800, because you will have it subsidized by AT&T with their monthly data plan.

I agree with most of this. I also think they will announce a version of iWork (or online version on MobileMe) to run on it.

I'm not sure on the keyboard though. Part of me thinks it will have a physical keyboard. The iPhone virtual keyboard was designed to type with your thumbs while holding both sides of the device. That wouldn't work on a larger tablet. I expect some Apple magic in the keyboard department which will cause the Apple-haters to scoff, and the Apple-lovers to say Wow!, and the rest of the public to say "what? there's a big iPhone?"

[Krafty]

An apple employee told a friend of mine that the white Macbook was being phased out. Perhaps this is its replacement.

Really? Cause an Apple employee told a friend of mines that the iPod Touch was being phased out. :eek:

[iAlexG]

I would never buy this. There is no need to spend $800 on something that is going to be underpowered and way to small for general use.

[Superdelphinus]

this whole thread (well up until about page 4) has made me hate rumour websites

[Carniphage]

The problem is the screen size.

A 9" screen is too small for conventional desktop Mac OSX. Single apps might work fine, but the general purpose windowing system ends up being cramped. A 9" Apple device will not be running conventional Mac OS X.

At the same time, a 9" screen is much too large for the iPhone OS. All the current apps are designed around a single display format and resolution. A 9" Apple device will not run iPhone OS.

The 9" format is neither pocketable, or good for desktop apps. The worst of all worlds.

So if Apple *are* making such a device, it is targeted at an entirely new role.

It could be textbooks and e-reading. Perhaps aimed at the education market.
But the current generation of readers have awesome battery life thanks to e-ink displays. E-ink means losing color and interactivity. But we know that it's a touch screen device. It is not going to sport an e-ink display.

So none of this makes sense. There is something missing from the picture.

Apple might well be making some kind of touch screen device. But whatever it is, it has to be something entirely new. It will have to offer best-in-class functionality at something or other. It has to have a compelling unique selling point.

And for the life of me, I can't imagine what that might be. And no one has posted anything that sounds vaguely credible.... yet.

C.

[olternaut]

back in may, I posted a prediction. it would just fit in what we might have learned from today's rumors:

apple's next new product will be spectacular, it will define a new category of products and - most importantly - it will cannibalize neither the iPhone business, nor the MacBook sales. it will be the next, the fourth pillar of Apple's success.

it will be a MacTouch.

- a 10 " tablet, nine times the screen size and resolution of the iPhone, resembling the iPhone from the looks an being roughly as thick
- thus immediately working with every existing iPhone app
- combining everything from the iPhone (3G, WiFI, Bluetooth, AppStore, iTunes synching) with everything from the mac (iLife and iWork will work with new preinstalled specialized versions for touch control) - OS X Snow Leopard is the key - that's why they focus on performance.
- it will be touch controlled with a large visual/virtual keyboard, but of course the existing sleek Apple wireless Keyboard will work immediately using Bluetooth
- it will have 1 or 2 (micro)USB-ports making it the ideal device for storing, presenting and basic editing of photos and videos while on holiday, for watching videos with the family (for eventually it will be possible to import our DVDs in iTunes just like our CDs ...)
- it will have a front camera and microphone for video-conferencing or for putting your face into games or for making fun photos with photo booth
- it will be THE new gaming device for groups, playing all the famous board games on a screen large enough lying in front of you and sitting on every side of it (like chess with touch control and animation)
- it will be THE new book reader (though i have some doubts concerning readability in sunlight and battery life when compared to e-ink devices like the kindle), especially making it possible to produce "books" with integrated video and sound content
- it will have a stand to work as a notebook screen when typing with the keyboard or to use as small display to watch videos or digital tv or for presentations (maybe a protective cover doubles as a stand when flipped over ..)
- it will have a bluetooth remote control, reasonably good speakers and - hopefully - a SD-card reader built in
- it will be gorgeous, lightweight and affordable without being cheap and crappy like the windows netbooks
- it will be priced between the iPhone/ iPod touch and the MacBook - let me guess: somewhere between $ 499 with 8 GB and without iWork and $ 799 with 32 or even 64 GB and including iWork
- it will be THE product to present your creative work on the go, to watch video and photos in a group, to work on documents with basic editing while sitting in the bus or on the plane, to check and write emails and much more
- we will be allowed to use our existing apple software on this product without an extra fee
- it will work and synchronise with iTunes on a PC, thus being the entrance to the real mac world for old time PC-customers (they simply will want to buy an OS X-system next time a new notebook or desktop will be needed)
- it can be used like the iPhone, but it can't replace it (because of size), it can be used like a MacBook but it can't replace it (because of lack of keyboard, processing speed, lack of large storing space, limited display resolution, limited connectivity)
- it is simply the perfect companion in between.

- it will be revolutionary
- it will be presented in a special event this summer by Steve Jobs, celebrating his return to the public
- it will be available in time for the holiday season


what do you think?

Well, it won't exactly be like that I suppose. But I'm sure the product will be very close and perhaps even better.

[louden]

Given that the latest Snow Leopard build has a virtual keyboard on the toolbar - I'm thinking that gives more credence to the rumor.

I hope they run the full OS and can easily be driven by a BT keyboard when you're at a desk, or using a touch gesture while you're walking around...

[iMacmatician]

back in may, I posted a prediction.

<snip prediction>That's basically what I've been thinking too. Especially iLife, iWork, and the eBook reading capabilities, which I consider to be very important to this device.

The price really isn't an issue, remember what an unlocked iPhone costs.I was thinking about iPod touch prices but yes you do have a point with the unlocked iPhone.

Though zoom might not be the right phrase here.I was trying to think of a better word but it didn't come to me.

An ARM based device simply has the capability to offer up more in a small box while at the same time offering good battery life.iPhone OS also has lower hardware requirements than Mac OS X, which means less specs are needed for it to run just as well. Those two combined mean a device that's thin, cheap(er), and with good battery life.

[BRLawyer]

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

Also, I don't believe this. Apple touts a full-size keyboard, and you can't HAVE THAT on a computer this small.

You can if you use a virtual keyboard. Apple has the technology and the expertise to provide users with a completely satisfactory solution, just like they do with the iPhone now. I would immediately buy anything like this, provided input capabilities are good enough; it's time to replace my ol' iBook G3 with something newer...

Last but not least, this device will automatically DOMINATE the market that currently exists for ALL those ridiculous netbooks offered by other crappy PC makers...just like the iPhone did for cell phones, Apple is gonna reinvent demand and absorb 80% of it. GO APPLE!

[iMacmatician]

Given that the latest Snow Leopard build has a virtual keyboard on the toolbar - I'm thinking that gives more credence to the rumor.Can I see a picture?

[AngryApple]

I was hoping it would be $300-$400. I wish Apple would make something for its not-bathing-in-money fans. I want to prove to my grandfather that Macs are not sucky. :cool:

[olternaut]

Given that the latest Snow Leopard build has a virtual keyboard on the toolbar - I'm thinking that gives more credence to the rumor.

I hope they run the full OS and can easily be driven by a BT keyboard when you're at a desk, or using a touch gesture while you're walking around...

I don't get it. What the hell would be the point of a bluetooth keyboard on such a device? Apple is not going to allow this. If you want one then get the 13 inch macbook pro.
Don't bother with the white macbook though. More than likely it is being phased out.

[DianeL19]

I was hoping it would be $300-$400. I wish Apple would make something for its not-bathing-in-money fans. I want to prove to my grandfather that Macs are not sucky. :cool:

At that price, the margins would be zilch, profits would drop, and the stock would tank.

[Tallest Skil]

I was hoping it would be $300-$400. I wish Apple would make something for its not-bathing-in-money fans.

Please forgive Apple for wanting to make money, have profit, and keep the stockholders happy.

I want to prove to my grandfather that Macs are not sucky. :cool:

He has problems if the cost of an item denotes "suckiness".

[dicklacara]

that is another question....

Yes I belive is a smart move to include 3g data cards...

Yes some will be atached to a telecom to become cheaper

I hope that most of them will be carrier free... just insert a sim card and surf!

How about this?

Build a tablet device with:

--all the major cell radios
--WiFi
--universal SIM card and supporting firmware


This device could be sold by:

--Apple
--Any/all carriers
--retail stores from botiques to big-box
--vending machines

And have various price models:

--subsidized, tied to a specific carrier
--un-subsidized not tied to any carrier
--bulk purchases

The subsidized, single-carrier user would purchase, activate and use as he does today with the iPhone.

The un-subsized, universal user would:

--purchase anywhere, anytime
--activate online through app store
--activate with multiple carriers if desired to get lower rates
--pay-per-use for actual use (at higher rate) on best carrier signal currently available

The universal firmware could be set to automatically find, set and switch carriers based on signal quality, speed, cost-per-minute, minimum usage minutes remaining, location, time-of-day, etc.

World travelers could avoid switchings SIMS and/or roaming charges.

Dick

[m1stake]

Not for $800, LOL.

[imwoblin]

From the Wall Street Journal....

UPDATE: Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster just weighed on these rumors in a research note. His thoughts, below:

On 7/13 Asian media reports suggested Apple is planning a tablet/netbook in Oct-09. Last week we spoke with a Taiwanese component supplier and continue to believe that Apple will launch a tablet, not a netbook, by early CY10. … We expect [it] to be a touchscreen device in the $500-$700 range (between the iPod Touch and MacBook).

[appledude222]

Are you guys talking about lengthwise or diagonal:confused:. And also is there going to be variations of the device.:D

[olternaut]

I just want Apple to debut the product so I can get to say "MacTouch FTW suckasssss!!!" to all the forum posters out there who said it wasn't going to happen.
It will be a good day. :D

[Tallest Skil]

Are you guys talking about lengthwise or diagonal:confused:. And also is there going to be variations of the device.:D

Diagonal, like everyone always says.

[Peace]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=7791570&postcount=11

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=3737904&postcount=159

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=7650946&postcount=11


*cough* *cough*

[inkswamp]

I hope Apple comes up with a better name than "netbook." I hate that term.

[puffnstuff]

My prediction:

This thing is going to be super thin. It's main purpose will be for internet browsing, some light word processing, listening to music and watching movies. Don't expect more than one usb, headphone jack and sd card. ATOM? No MBA processor? No. It will run snow leopard.

[derek1984]

For portability, I am happy with my iPhone. Personally, I would have no use for such a thing as this.

[DAMNiatx]

Good, people with Netbooks always look ridiculous.

Good, people with Windows Notebooks always look ridiculous.

[frjonah]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=7791570&postcount=11

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=3737904&postcount=159

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=7650946&postcount=11


*cough* *cough*

Nice predictions, Peace... any further ideas about what the new "Macbook Touch" will have?

Btw... I was really hoping for *some* reaction to this amazing and informative news report that shows what the new Macbook Touch input device will look like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BnLbv6QYcA

[normwood]

My prediction:

This thing is going to be super thin. It's main purpose will be for internet browsing, some light word processing, listening to music and watching movies. Don't expect more than one usb, headphone jack and sd card. ATOM? No MBA processor? No. It will run snow leopard.

This would be sweet if it would have the ability / capacity to download photos from a DLSR camera or it's SD card.

I've gotten so I only take my Macbook when we travel if I'm going to take a ton of photos. My iPhone does everything I typically use my Macbook for except for let me download my camera.

<$800, tablet form running OSX and I would be all over it.

Steve

[chrono1081]

For portability, I am happy with my iPhone. Personally, I would have no use for such a thing as this.

I think tablets are pretty limited use. Writing or typing with a pen would be too slow. I really hope apple has a real style netbook. Id buy it in a heartbeat.

[feflower]

I have a Mac Pro at home...I don't like doing a lot of work on the subway, cafes, park, even at the library. But there are times I wish I had something when inspiration strikes, or when I want to take notes from a library book I don't/can't take out. When working at the library I usually type it in at the library computers and then send an email to myself. Other times I go old-school and write it on a piece of paper with a pen (imagine that!).

I see a lot of students these days with netbooks because it is easy to carry around with the 4 or 5 large textbooks, library books they have to carry.

I think there is a large market of students out there who want basically a compact glorified typewriter, a glorified notetaking machine. Maybe listen to music while typing and maybe look for some facts on the internet. But mainly do some writing when away from their main computer (if they should have one).

In short:
1) Notetaking from books, lectures, thoughts while on the move or away from main computer.
2) Check email, internet.
3) Listen to some music while typing/inputting
4) Maybe, maybe some presentations in class via powerpoint or keynote...(but at my school the majority of students just read their papers and play some burned CD (I'm majoring in musicology))

With smartphones, and library computers being able to keep you connected and fulfill some of these roles, a netbook would be great as personal notetaking advice.

Now if only Mac/Apple can come up with a great dictation programme (ok there is MacSpeech; but still has to be perfected) that can work with an internal microphone one can get around the cramped keyboards. With a touch screen more space can be dedicated to the main keys.

Now I'm very tempted to buy a netbook any netbook simply to take notes at school because my main need is notetaking. I'm tired of transferring from my written notes or I simply end up not doing it. I'd rather go apple, but will be buying something else if apple doesn't respond soon.

I'm an older person who has returned to school so tell me if I'm out of touch or if my list of students' needs are way off...

If Apple can hook in university students this way, then they will have a lifetime clients....

[Tallest Skil]

I think tablets are pretty limited use. Writing or typing with a pen would be too slow.

"Oh, a stylus! So we'll use a stylus, right? No. You have to get 'em and you put 'em away, and you lose 'em, YUCK. NOBODY WANTS A STYLUS, SO LET'S NOT USE A STYLUS."

-Steve Jobs

You don't get it. No MacTablet would have a stylus. You'd use your fingers.

[Sehnsucht]

$800 sounds about right, but I was expecting even $899. ;)

This could be interesting.

"Oh, a stylus! So we'll use a stylus, right? No. You have to get 'em and you put 'em away, and you lose 'em, YUCK. NOBODY WANTS A STYLUS, SO LET'S NOT USE A STYLUS."

-Steve Jobs

You don't get it. No MacTablet would have a stylus. You'd use your fingers.

http://www.last.fm/music/Bloodhound+Gang/Use+Your+Fingers :D :D

[Peace]

Why do you guys think Apple made all the new unibody Macbooks Macbook Pro's ?

There is now only one Macbook and it's a white plastic one. This will be gone come Sept. all new "Macbooks" will be "Macbook Touch's".

Various HD capacities and memory configurations..

Not sure on this one but Apple "may" be using their own processors along with the NVidia 9400M or greater.

I really don't think there will be one price point. Perhaps something along the lines of $599 to $799.

[olternaut]

My prediction:

This thing is going to be super thin. It's main purpose will be for internet browsing, some light word processing, listening to music and watching movies. Don't expect more than one usb, headphone jack and sd card. ATOM? No MBA processor? No. It will run snow leopard.

It's going to be more than the sum of it's parts. I believe they will add more sensors in the device than an accelerometer and a capacitive touchscreen. This will open up the device to native apps that will go beyond what any standard notebook computer....or iphone can do.
This I think will be the differentiator of the device from the competition.

[Eidorian]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=7791570&postcount=11

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=3737904&postcount=159

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=7650946&postcount=11


*cough* *cough*Looks like a product not worth buying it it's a glorified internet device.

[Dwalls90]

They're going to call it an iBook .. that's the name I'm placing my money on.

[Full of Win]

Please God make this happen.

[8CoreWhore]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: It's designed to house your iPhone or iPod Touch inside.

EDIT: Plus it'll have a battery in it.

If they're going to make it the same power as a Touch and 3GS, I would rather have both devices that work together, than simply the "netbook" that doesn't break down to something smaller.

If they intend to make it MORE powerful than the 3GS - my theory is out the window. But I think the 3GS is powerful enough for these purposes PLUS all your apps still work! CRITICAL!

[MrCrowbar]

Why do you guys think Apple made all the new unibody Macbooks Macbook Pro's ?

There is now only one Macbook and it's a white plastic one. This will be gone come Sept. all new "Macbooks" will be "Macbook Touch's".

Various HD capacities and memory configurations..

Not sure on this one but Apple "may" be using their own processors along with the NVidia 9400M or greater.

I really don't think there will be one price point. Perhaps something along the lines of $599 to $799.

Soo... keyboards will be considered a pro feature, just like firewire is right now? Could actually happen. With top sites in Safari, you (in theory) don't need to type URLs much, and actually writing would only be on forums or word processing. I Imagine a Macbook Air with the keyboard replaced by the touchscreen and no lid to close. Similar 1.8" hard drive and all. Battery life needs to be good on that tpe of thing, so the Core 2 Duo might actually not be used.

[redkamel]

The Air, IMO, was not a netbook. I've used netbooks and I've used the Air. The Air was much nicer, much faster, and could actually work as your main computer if you didnt have a lot of music/pictures. The netbooks were a bigger pain to use. They may be similiar, but the Air was definitely a step up (now for the dollar value of that step, thats a different thread).

I think an 800 dollar Apple Netbook would do great. Anyone looking for a 300 dollar netbook is not looking for an Apple netbook, to be honest. But people looking to spend 5 or even 600 on a netbook that is really, really good, will probably be enticeable for another 200 for an Apple. Especially if they have a Mac at home. Using the same OS with the same software you already own is nice.

And in terms of a keyboard, while I prefer a real keyboard for real work, a netbook could easily get away with a large touchscreen keyboard and a USB port or BT to use a full size. From what I have seen, most netbooks are used for internet, email and editing, not composing long texts.

[andrew upstairs]

They're going to call it an iBook .. that's the name I'm placing my money on.Not with Jobs' decree that all their computers have the word Mac in it.

[iphones4evry1]

800 dollars for a netbook is retarded. not surprising at all
It's not a netbook. It doesn't cost $300 and run WinXP or Linux. It's not a netbook. It's an iTablet. Think of it as a MacBook Air, stuffed into a 9.7 inch iPod Touch.

[Peace]

Macbook. That's the name. The Windows world can have their "Netbook". Apple still thinks differently and the "Macbook" will be the one to copy once again.

[Brien]

Soo... keyboards will be considered a pro feature, just like firewire is right now? Could actually happen. With top sites in Safari, you (in theory) don't need to type URLs much, and actually writing would only be on forums or word processing. I Imagine a Macbook Air with the keyboard replaced by the touchscreen and no lid to close. Similar 1.8" hard drive and all. Battery life needs to be good on that tpe of thing, so the Core 2 Duo might actually not be used.

If you look at what Apple is doing in 10.6 it's pretty obvious they're prepping OS X for touch interaction. Considering most of Apple's product line already has glass screens, I think we're going to see a gradual phase-in of touch screens on the MB/MBP/iMac lines... followed, inevitably, by a phase-out of physical keyboards.

Whatever this Apple tablet/netbook is will only be the start.

[dalvin200]

I think Apple is being pressured into releasing something like this..

Personally, I can't see myself owning one... the iPhone is great in emergency situations and while travelling..

the tablet which would essentially be a large iPod touch but with OS X on it, would also need the capability for always on internet - so probably a data plan from a mobile provider.

Gaming on the device/App Store would be pretty well suited..

My main concern is the virtual keyboard. Sure.. i love it on the iPhone, but this is a larger device and would be harder to hold and touch type on...

It would have to have the facility to pair with a bluetooth keyboard as well...

I mean... all these rumours etc... we'll find out sooner or later

[SnowLeopard2008]

$800? Price of 2 32GB iPod touches. Or around 3 32GB iphone 3GS. The screen is going to be really small, and if Apple makes it thin, there won't be much room for hardware, unless Apple uses the NVIDIA ION platform. If Apple priced it maybe at $400-$500, they would dominate the netbook market. Or they could use some glorified ARM processor.

[xhambonex]

This sounds like a giant ipod touch/iphone. I'm sure it will be cool and fun to play with and all that good stuff.

But when am I going to get a high end wacom level tablet?

[*LTD*]

Until you've got one in your hands or see one on the shelf, this is all just RUMOUR.

[Carniphage]

Not with Jobs' decree that all their computers have the word Mac in it.

The term Mac (Macintosh) is for computers running the Mac OS. The name is used for desktop and laptop computers.

I don't think Apple will launch a 9" screen running the Mac OS X.
Nor will it run the iPhone OS.

A device too big to fit in the pocket, and too small to comfortably run desktop apps is the worst of all possible worlds.

The only possibility is an entirely new device intended for reading, browsing and note-taking (and stuff we have not thought of yet).

Such a device will not be a Mac - it won't be a Pod, a TV or a Phone. It would have to be something new.

C.

[RumorHasIt....]

I get a kick out of all of these posts that say netbooks are crap. First off, they are very useful devices. Not only are they great for surfing, but they are great for office apps, and videos. Also, they are extremely portable and much less expensive than a MBA.

My Samsung NC10 has a keyboard over 92% of a full-sized one. It weighs less than 3lbs. And, the battery lasts over 5 hours.

Are netbooks less powerful than regular notebooks? Yes, but if you always need to have a high-powered computer, I feel sorry for you; you really need to get outside more.

[lookoverthere]

My heart has been breaking for years waiting for these rumors of an Apple Tablet to come true. Here's hoping that this one sticks!

In the mean time take a look at my Apple Tablet Concept:
http://macslate.blogspot.com/

Enjoy :apple:

[Pooshka]

They're going to call it an iBook .. that's the name I'm placing my money on.
Have you ever wondered why the word MacBook has been vacated? :rolleyes:

[ddTaylor]

800 dollars for a netbook is retarded. not surprising at all

But it is not a netbook in the sense of a true netbook. It will be a touchbook or larger iPod touch device. If true I would like very much to own one IF the price is UNDER $800 (and NOT $799) but maybe closer to $699. I think that is the sweet-spot for a touch-based device provided it runs OS X or SL and NOT the iPhone OS as that would be SILLY for $800.

D

[gunraidan]

My heart has been breaking for years waiting for these rumors of an Apple Tablet to come true. Here's hoping that this one sticks!

In the mean time take a look at my Apple Tablet Concept:
http://macslate.blogspot.com/

Enjoy :apple:

Looks awesome. Very much of what I've imagined.

[iMacmatician]

But it is not a netbook in the sense of a true netbook. It will be a touchbook or larger iPod touch device. If true I would like very much to own one IF the price is UNDER $800 (and NOT $799) but maybe closer to $699. I think that is the sweet-spot for a touch-based device provided it runs OS X or SL and NOT the iPhone OS as that would be SILLY for $800.$800 could be the price of the high-end version.

[JohnnyLemonhead]

Just make a damn netbook, Steve. Cut the crap. I don't want an $800 touchscreen tablet. I want a $600 Apple netbook with a 1.6GHz C2D and 2GB of ram and an $800 option with 1.83GHz and 4GB ram. I don't want anything cute. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Listen to what the public wants. I don't want a 10" iPod Touch. Just make the damn netbook.

[WLS]

800 dollars for a netbook is retarded. not surprising at all

That's why Apple says it WON"T BE A NETBOOK!

[dicklacara]

$800? Price of 2 32GB iPod touches. Or around 3 32GB iphone 3GS. The screen is going to be really small, and if Apple makes it thin, there won't be much room for hardware, unless Apple uses the NVIDIA ION platform. If Apple priced it maybe at $400-$500, they would dominate the netbook market. Or they could use some glorified ARM processor.

You need to compare apples to apples--

-- subsidized price of iPhone vs subsidized price of new device.
-- un-subsidized price of iPhone vs un-subsidized price of new device.

[MikeDTyke]

Personally i don't think it will have the word Mac in it's title at all. I do however think it will have Touch somewhere in the name.

iPod is too synonymous with music.

I therefore predict: iBook Touch :D

Well it's more likely than all the other bull that's come before on this thread.

Think about it:
i (cos it's every handheld gadget from Apple has an i in front)
Book (It's hardback book sized (width x height)
Touch (It's primary feature is it's multitouch capability, due to the fact it'll be big enough for multihand & greater than 2 finger gestures)

Look at all the other names in the product list either side of were this thing will sit:
iPhone (obviously a phone before anything else)
iPod Touch (A melding of the now infamous mp3 alternative with multitouch)
MacBook (A Macintosh that's notebook sized)
MacBook Pro (A Better Macintosh that's notebook sized)

I've considered all the alternatives:
iPad (Sounds like a ladies sanitary product)
iTablet (Ugly, and i suspect Apple wants zero connection to tablet PC's)
MaxiPod (Never in a month of Tuesdays, and again sounds sanitary)
iPod HD (I do kinda like this, maybe keep it in second place if the display can do 720p)
MacTouch (It's never going to be a mac, so you netbook fantacists can quit whining.)
Macbook nano (Again, nothing with the word Mac in it.)

Anyway that's my prediction, staking my claim right here! :D

[mac 2005]

I hope to hell that Apple does not enter the netbook market, as they already said. The iPhone/iPod touch IS their netbook. Unless they come up with something crazily innovative (i.e. nothing less inventive than a collapsable computer), they will end up creating a crappy product. Is that not Apple's worst fear?

Speaking for myself, I will not consider the iPhone to be a "netbook" until it can run Flash applications.

[ddTaylor]

Piece of crap worthless for everything except the Internet.

Also, I don't believe this. Apple touts a full-size keyboard, and you can't HAVE THAT on a computer this small.

Have you USED a netbook? Do you OWN one? I have one that dual-boots both OS X and Windows 7 and they BOTH run extremely well on my Acer Atom n271 processor, 1.5GB RAM and 160GB HD with 6-cell battery. What are you talking about - it only works for internet work? Unless you have ACTUALLY spent time with a netbook I would refrain from commenting as it is pointless.

I run CS3 on Windows and CS2 on OS X with great results. Is it fast like a MacBook or MBA? Not at all - is it silly slow to the point of un-usability? Not at all. It is a fine notebook for the price and compared to my 17" PowerBook G4 1.33GHz with 1GB RAM and 100GB HD - it is similar in performance. Why knock it when you must not have tried it...Office and Photo Shop do well on a netbook and would most likely work well on the new TouchBook - provided it runs a version of OS X or SL other than the iPhone OS 3.x or the version that is available at the time of release.

If you have used a netbook it was not a current generation netbook as the new(er) netbooks with Atom CPU and at least a gigabyte of memory run very well. Compared to the Asus EeePC the new netbooks run circles around them - as you would expect. I say the new netbook line runs just as well as a 4-5-year old iBook or PB G4 of 1GHz or even slightly faster with like RAM and HD specifications.

Why spout-off about your dislike for netbooks and spew completely false and ignorant comments about the current status of netbooks? Does it make you feel better? Were you somehow 'wronged' by netbooks and vowed to get back at them at all cost? Please refrain from commenting with totally false and uninformed postings as it does not further the discourse but simply shows how arrogant many Apple users are and perpetuates the air that Mac users are stuck in the clouds with the noses so high it misses the rain!

No offense intended - of course...

D

[WLS]

A 9.7 inch screen suggests a SMALL keyboard. I know they mention touchscreen, but one of the biggest complaints I've read on netbooks is their small, non-standard-sized keyboards. If Apple wants to introduce a netbook I was hoping for something with an 11" or 12" display and a standard sized keyboard (or one that is very close to standard size). Sure, they could use a small screen and have a big bezel surrounding it, but that would just be stupid (IMO).

You don't get it. It will be a 9.7 inch touch screen device and NOT a netbook. That means no mechanical key board in the device It will have an onscreen keyboard like the touch and Iphone but bigger - it is possible that a BT keyboard will be an option.. Is this good or bad? Only time will tell. I would expect it to use the restricted OS in the touch and iphone and run on a cortex ARM device but I don't know for sure so we will just have to wait for more news...

[Peace]

If one desires to use an actual keyboard all one has to do is pair an Apple wireless keyboard to it. The keyboard will have a multi-touch pad with the same functionality as the remote app on the iPhone.

[dicklacara]

Personally i don't think it will have the word Mac in it's title at all. I do however think it will have Touch somewhere in the name.

iPod is too synonymous with music.

I therefore predict: iBook Touch :D

Well it's more likely than all the other bull that's come before on this thread.

Think about it:
i (cos it's every handheld gadget from Apple has an i in front)
Book (It's hardback book sized (width x height)
Touch (It's primary feature is it's multitouch capability, due to the fact it'll be big enough for multihand & greater than 2 finger gestures)

Look at all the other names in the product list either side of were this thing will sit:
iPhone (obviously a phone before anything else)
iPod Touch (A melding of the now infamous mp3 alternative with multitouch)
MacBook (A Macintosh that's notebook sized)
MacBook Pro (A Better Macintosh that's notebook sized)

I've considered all the alternatives:
iPad (Sounds like a ladies sanitary product)
iTablet (Ugly, and i suspect Apple wants zero connection to tablet PC's)
MaxiPod (Never in a month of Tuesdays, and again sounds sanitary)
iPod HD (I do kinda like this, maybe keep it in second place if the display can do 720p)
MacTouch (It's never going to be a mac, so you netbook fantacists can quit whining.)
Macbook nano (Again, nothing with the word Mac in it.)

Anyway that's my prediction, staking my claim right here! :D

iBook Touch implies that it has a cover and opens like a book.

Why not just iTouch or inTouch?

[mac 2005]

Good, people with Netbooks always look ridiculous.

More ridiculous than people with Bluetooth headsets?

[chaosconan]

I believe its going to be a tablet branded under macbook tablet

macmini
macbook
macbook tablet (new)
macbook air
macbook pro

It will be a flat touch screen with no physical keyboard, and no removable battery and no firewire.
It will have a mini DVI, 2 USB ports, built-in wifi, bluetooth, compass, accelerometer.
It will use either SSD or 1.8" hard drive.

They'll be introducing a new operating system called Tablet OS that is a hybrid of Mac OS X and iPhone OS where new applications written for the tablet OS will feature better functionality with the touchscreen. They're be expanding on the user interface introduced in iphone OS for more complex applications that will run on this Tablet OS.

And its backwards compatible with iPhone OS applications meaning that all those games and applications that came out for iphone OS will work with the tablet OS. For applications the rows and columns are longer and for games the graphics is just bigger on the tablet OS.

I just don't see them making a netbook and loading Snow Leopard on it and have people use a virtual keyboard or a physical keyboard with existing Mac OS X applications.

That's the approach they did with netbooks on the PC side.

It think they're going to create the next generation of API's for tablet OS interface that will revolutionize your experience. Just like how they did it with iPhone OS.

That's my guess!!!