Apple Netbook Touchscreen Rumors Continue to Gather Steam

MacRumors · Mar 11, 2009, 02:59 PM

Close on the heels of rumors from the Commercial Times on Monday and Dow Jones Newswires on Tuesday, Reuters reports on a source close to touchscreen manufacturer Wintek saying that the company has received orders from Apple for 10-inch touchscreens expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2009.

Quote:

Taiwan touchscreen specialist Wintek already makes small screens for Apple iPhones, and has received orders for the larger ones that are roughly the same size as those used in mini PCs, said the source close to the Taiwan firm. He asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

He added that he did not know what the final product would be, or who would make it.

It is unclear whether this is one of the same sources quoted by the Commercial Times and/or Dow Jones Newswires, but Reuters' claim that the source provided the information "on Wednesday", after the previous reports had been issued, suggests that this is either a fresh repetition of the information by a previous source or a new source entirely.

Article Link: Apple Netbook Touchscreen Rumors Continue to Gather Steam

gkarris · Mar 11, 2009, 03:00 PM

Cool, gonna get one!

iPad!

Sky Blue · Mar 11, 2009, 03:01 PM

can't wait for everyone to cry about the price when it's released.

gkarris · Mar 11, 2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky Blue

can't wait for everyone to cry about the price when it's released.

or the fact it's only $399, with a required 2 year 3G Data contract from AT&T for $35/month...

harryhood · Mar 11, 2009, 03:03 PM

YES!! NOW I CAN HAVE i EVERYTHING!!

ipod imac iphone ipad iwork ilife IAMOBSESSEDWITHAPPLE NOTHING ELSE MATERSZZ

macrockbuddy · Mar 11, 2009, 03:03 PM

FAKE!!! haha. . .

Eduardo1971 · Mar 11, 2009, 03:04 PM

Forget the Netbook...can't wait for the second generation iPhone 3G rumours to gather further fuel!

Donz0r · Mar 11, 2009, 03:04 PM

Steve jobs said after the iPhone came out that they had originally started working on a touch tablet and the iPhone spun off of that. I think this is definitely gonna happen.

Sky Blue · Mar 11, 2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkarris

or the fact it's only $399, with a required 2 year 3G Data contract from AT&T for $35/month...

I reckon $599/$699 w/ data plan.

Kilamite · Mar 11, 2009, 03:05 PM

Me wanna see a leaked photie.

gt1948 · 03:07 PM

great for all of the business types out there screaming for a netbook. Just an old retired navy type here who would like to see a major upgrade of my almost two year old iphone…

Voice recogntion, longer battery life (current battery life ok) more razzle dazzle; something earth shattering, better speaker capability and a better bluetooth headset (apples' SUCKS)

Apple freak since '84

11800506 · Mar 11, 2009, 03:09 PM

Interesting information. Either theses sources are all getting the information from the same place which would make it unlikely, or they are getting it independently which makes it much more plausible! It will be interesting to see if these rumors do actually come out to something.

robinp · Mar 11, 2009, 03:09 PM

it seems to me like a lot of Apple's recent GUI choices in Mac OS X have been geared towards the eventual introduction of a touch screen device using the full blown version of OS X. Things like the spring loaded stacks, almost completely useless if using a mouse, but I can imagine they might work quite well for a touch screen device. Also, coverflow appearing almost everywhere. Perfect for a less accurate touch based interface. There are others I've noticed but can't think of them off the top of my head right now

born4sky · Mar 11, 2009, 03:10 PM

apples' SUCKS ... I want rumors about new iPhone

plumbingandtech · Mar 11, 2009, 03:12 PM

I'll take two please.

iMacmatician · 03:20 PM

Great! It looks like a touchscreen device at least will be released later this year.

The real question is: what will it be like?

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinp

it seems to me like a lot of Apple's recent GUI choices in Mac OS X have been geared towards the eventual introduction of a touch screen device using the full blown version of OS X. Things like the spring loaded stacks, almost completely useless if using a mouse, but I can imagine they might work quite well for a touch screen device. Also, coverflow appearing almost everywhere. Perfect for a less accurate touch based interface.

There are a lot of GUI elements that have existed for quite a while and might not be best suited for a touch screen. But if Apple is heading this direction then we would see any necessary changes soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinp

There are others I've noticed but can't think of them off the top of my head right now

The off/on slider in the Time Machine System Preferences pane comes to mind.

ChrisA · Mar 11, 2009, 03:16 PM

Does anyone else here remember the keynote show where Steve Jobs showed off iWeb or Garage Band and made a joke pod-cast talking about a 10" iPod? ("It's going to be really big!") Was that in 2006 or 07? I forgot when it was.

I'd like to find a video clip of that. Seems it was true. He really may have known at the time that a 10" iPod was in the works.

moosecat · Mar 11, 2009, 03:17 PM

I don't know why this information is being packaged everywhere as a "netbook" rumor. I define a netbook as a very small notebook, with features ratcheted down so the price comes down as well.

It makes a lot more sense to me to think that these screens are not going to be used for any kind of notebook, but rather for the iPod/Phone-on-steroids that has been rumored for some time. It would be a tablet, not a netbook. That would make these two rumor threads converge nicely, instead of creating a nonsensical new one about netbooks.

I can't imagine Apple will release a product as mundane as a 9" or 10" notebook computer, even with a touchscreen.

o0samotech0o · Mar 11, 2009, 03:20 PM

I reckon it'll be purely touch based.

Maybe like a smaller version of the multi touch tables we've seen floating around.

-Sam

Lesser Evets · Mar 11, 2009, 03:20 PM

If we assume the resolution density is like the iPhone, this new device should be around 1400x900.

That would be incredibly nice resolution for a handheld device. Kick ass, in fact. It would trounce the current crop of products in the netbook range, and it would be keeping with Apple's one-up-manship.

If this is a tablet with that resolution, and it has stylus recognition, I'd buy it for $2000.... assuming it runs a full/near full OSX and can run Photoshop. Watch it be just a larger version of the iPT with some small improvements.

gkarris · Mar 11, 2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosecat

I don't know why this information is being packaged everywhere as a "netbook" rumor. I define a netbook as a very small notebook, with features ratcheted down so the price comes down as well.

It makes a lot more sense to me to think that these screens are not going to be used for any kind of notebook, but rather for the iPod/Phone-on-steroids that has been rumored for some time. It would be a tablet, not a netbook. That would make these two rumor threads converge nicely, instead of creating a nonsensical new one about netbooks.

I can't imagine Apple will release a product as mundane as a 9" or 10" notebook computer, even with a touchscreen.

Yes, Apple is all about "upscale" - I just don't see how people think that Apple could compete in the $299 NetBook space...

nagromme · Mar 11, 2009, 03:25 PM

I believe, EVENTUALLY, we will see:

* A MacBook with a smaller screen than the Air (full OS X)

* A touch device with a bigger screen than the iPhone/iPod (iPhone OS X)

But I think they'll be two SEPARATE devices. One of them (or both) might possibly be coming sooner rather than later. My random guess: the touch device comes first, while Apple "waits and sees" about netbooks.

A touchscreen ON a netbook would make a device with too many compromises at too high a price, I suspect. Low computing power on the iPhone OS platform is fine, but add a full keyboard and the "look" of a laptop, and people would expect "real" Mac software to run with real Mac performance.

But we'll see what Apple comes up with. Maybe none of the above.

8CoreWhore · Mar 11, 2009, 03:25 PM

A ten inch Touch with 3G data. A 10" touch? Let the jokes begin.

SleepyHead157 · Mar 11, 2009, 03:26 PM

this is good news. I would love an in between device. It could come in handy as an ereader too.

dernhelm · Mar 11, 2009, 03:27 PM

Atom-based - NVIDIA chip set. Ultra-high resolution display.
No optical drive (of course). SSD drive / 2 GB Ram.

Pure touch? Probably.

This would be an ultra-cool device, but will have to retail under $600 before I could even consider it.

Mar 11, 2009, 03:00 PM	#2
gkarris macrumors 601 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere In The Universe	Cool, gonna get one! iPad! __________________ "This gate's plastic." Captain Carter, Stargate SG-1, "Touchstone" Mini/MacBook/iPhone/TV Olympus E-420/E-500, Canon 20D

Mar 11, 2009, 03:01 PM	#3
Sky Blue macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2005	can't wait for everyone to cry about the price when it's released. __________________ "The case is so square that it easily stands at attention as if begging for treats."

Mar 11, 2009, 03:03 PM	#6
macrockbuddy macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2008	FAKE!!! haha. . . __________________ 1 16gb 3G, 2x 8gb iPhones, 2.4ghz/4GB/250GB MacBook Trick'd out mini for an HTPC & a MBA to replace current MB coming soon in 2009

Mar 11, 2009, 03:04 PM	#7
Eduardo1971 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lost Angeles, Ca. usa	Forget the Netbook...can't wait for the second generation iPhone 3G rumours to gather further fuel! __________________ 13" white 2Ghz Macbook, 250GB Hard drive, 2GB RAM Fight On!

Mar 11, 2009, 03:05 PM	#10
Kilamite macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland	Me wanna see a leaked photie. __________________ - MacBook Pro Unibody 15" 2.8GHz 'anti-glare' - Apple TV 1TB (work in progress) - iPhone 3G 8GB - MobileMe // OS X 10.6.2

Mar 11, 2009, 03:03 PM	#5
harryhood macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2006	YES!! NOW I CAN HAVE i EVERYTHING!! ipod imac iphone ipad iwork ilife IAMOBSESSEDWITHAPPLE NOTHING ELSE MATERSZZ

Mar 11, 2009, 03:04 PM	#8
Donz0r macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006	Steve jobs said after the iPhone came out that they had originally started working on a touch tablet and the iPhone spun off of that. I think this is definitely gonna happen.

Mar 11, 2009, 03:05 PM	#11
gt1948 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007	rather see a new iPhone great for all of the business types out there screaming for a netbook. Just an old retired navy type here who would like to see a major upgrade of my almost two year old iphone… Voice recogntion, longer battery life (current battery life ok) more razzle dazzle; something earth shattering, better speaker capability and a better bluetooth headset (apples' SUCKS) Apple freak since '84 Last edited by gt1948 : Mar 11, 2009 at 03:07 PM. Reason: edits

Mar 11, 2009, 03:09 PM	#12
11800506 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Washington D.C. Area	Interesting information. Either theses sources are all getting the information from the same place which would make it unlikely, or they are getting it independently which makes it much more plausible! It will be interesting to see if these rumors do actually come out to something. __________________ Unibody Macbook Pro / Aluminum iMac / eMac / Airport Extreme / iPod Touch

Mar 11, 2009, 03:09 PM	#13
robinp macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2008	it seems to me like a lot of Apple's recent GUI choices in Mac OS X have been geared towards the eventual introduction of a touch screen device using the full blown version of OS X. Things like the spring loaded stacks, almost completely useless if using a mouse, but I can imagine they might work quite well for a touch screen device. Also, coverflow appearing almost everywhere. Perfect for a less accurate touch based interface. There are others I've noticed but can't think of them off the top of my head right now

Mar 11, 2009, 03:10 PM	#14
born4sky macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2008	apples' SUCKS ... I want rumors about new iPhone

Mar 11, 2009, 03:12 PM	#15
plumbingandtech macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2007	I'll take two please. __________________ The Palm Pre is the new Sarah Palin.

Mar 11, 2009, 03:16 PM	#17
ChrisA macrumors 601 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Redondo Beach, California	Does anyone else here remember the keynote show where Steve Jobs showed off iWeb or Garage Band and made a joke pod-cast talking about a 10" iPod? ("It's going to be really big!") Was that in 2006 or 07? I forgot when it was. I'd like to find a video clip of that. Seems it was true. He really may have known at the time that a 10" iPod was in the works.

Mar 11, 2009, 03:17 PM	#18
moosecat macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002	Not-book I don't know why this information is being packaged everywhere as a "netbook" rumor. I define a netbook as a very small notebook, with features ratcheted down so the price comes down as well. It makes a lot more sense to me to think that these screens are not going to be used for any kind of notebook, but rather for the iPod/Phone-on-steroids that has been rumored for some time. It would be a tablet, not a netbook. That would make these two rumor threads converge nicely, instead of creating a nonsensical new one about netbooks. I can't imagine Apple will release a product as mundane as a 9" or 10" notebook computer, even with a touchscreen.

Mar 11, 2009, 03:20 PM	#19
o0samotech0o macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2008	i reckon.. I reckon it'll be purely touch based. Maybe like a smaller version of the multi touch tables we've seen floating around. -Sam

Mar 11, 2009, 03:20 PM	#20
Lesser Evets macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2006	If we assume the resolution density is like the iPhone, this new device should be around 1400x900. That would be incredibly nice resolution for a handheld device. Kick ass, in fact. It would trounce the current crop of products in the netbook range, and it would be keeping with Apple's one-up-manship. If this is a tablet with that resolution, and it has stylus recognition, I'd buy it for $2000.... assuming it runs a full/near full OSX and can run Photoshop. Watch it be just a larger version of the iPT with some small improvements. __________________ 2x2.66 Xeon, 13GB RAM, 4 1TB SATA, 30" & 20" C.Displays, X1900, OSX 10.6.2, Sound Sticks, iSight, 1 TB TimeMach, 16GB iPT 2G

Mar 11, 2009, 03:25 PM	#22
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	I believe, EVENTUALLY, we will see: * A MacBook with a smaller screen than the Air (full OS X) * A touch device with a bigger screen than the iPhone/iPod (iPhone OS X) But I think they'll be two SEPARATE devices. One of them (or both) might possibly be coming sooner rather than later. My random guess: the touch device comes first, while Apple "waits and sees" about netbooks. A touchscreen ON a netbook would make a device with too many compromises at too high a price, I suspect. Low computing power on the iPhone OS platform is fine, but add a full keyboard and the "look" of a laptop, and people would expect "real" Mac software to run with real Mac performance. But we'll see what Apple comes up with. Maybe none of the above. __________________ nagromme Don’t let democracy be replaced by corporations

Mar 11, 2009, 03:25 PM	#23
8CoreWhore macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Austin, TX	A ten inch Touch with 3G data. A 10" touch? Let the jokes begin.

Mar 11, 2009, 03:26 PM	#24
SleepyHead157 macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2008	this is good news. I would love an in between device. It could come in handy as an ereader too. __________________ 20" iMac-Macbook Air-Mac Mini

Mar 11, 2009, 03:27 PM	#25
dernhelm macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2002 Location: middle earth	Atom-based - NVIDIA chip set. Ultra-high resolution display. No optical drive (of course). SSD drive / 2 GB Ram. Pure touch? Probably. This would be an ultra-cool device, but will have to retail under $600 before I could even consider it. __________________ Five exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind. --Terry Pratchett

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