11.6-Inch 'MacBook' Headed to Manufacturing?

[MacRumors]

In a brief tidbit posted today, DigiTimes claims that Apple manufacturing partner Quanta is scheduled to ship 400,000-500,000 "MacBooks" carrying an 11.6-inch screen size before the end of this year, suggesting that a release may be near.

Meanwhile, Quanta has reportedly landed orders for 11.6-inch MacBooks from Apple. Shipments of 11.6-inch MacBooks are expected to top 400,000-500,000 units in 2010.

It is unclear, however, whether the story is referring to the actual MacBook product, as the site had previously claimed that Apple was preparing to launch an 11.6-inch MacBook Air. Apple's MacBook is not necessarily considered due for an update, having just received a spec bump in May. A MacBook Air refresh, however, is long overdue, having last seen a change in June 2009.

Apple has established a pattern of updating its notebook models in the October-November timeframe, with the MacBook specifically seeing refreshed models debut in November 2006, November 2007, October 2008, and October 2009. Consequently, it seems reasonable that we may see at least some new notebook models make an appearance before the end of the year, and while we have claims that there will be at least one model in a smaller 11.6-inch size, uncertainty remains over which product line will gain the new form factor.

Article Link: 11.6-Inch 'MacBook' Headed to Manufacturing?

 

[zap2]

I'd consider it...I have a MBP, but a powerful(thats key) 11.6'' laptop would be something I'd consider.

But none of this C2D stuff

 

[Theclamshell]

This would be an awesome product. I would definitely consider buying this if Apple were to go through with it.

 

[alent1234]

how much is this going to cost compared to a similar spec'd netbook?

 

[fifthworld]

how much is this going to cost compared to a similar spec'd netbook?

Irrelevant. I will definitely considering an 11.6" MBA.

 

[paeza]

anything would be good and also please bring the price down a bit

 

[ditosou]

yeaaaahhhhh

I want one. No doubts about that....

 

[adztaylor]

It could be a big success if apple were to introduce this. But the big questions are spec and price. They need to get it right.

 

[fxtech]

More shrinking. Why not just go down to 9.7" and remove the keyboard?

 

[tomravenscroft]

Should provide a good bit of competition to Dell's netbooks and hopefully will be cheaper than the MBA!

 

[iPhysicist]

Steve we do not pay you to minimize everything to unusability! Melt the MBA with the MBP but don't shrink it.

But - second my thoughts - if its true maybe we will see a whole new lineup. We will see

I do not believe this new product will be called Air. Press would have noticed it already. MB13 and MBP13 are spec-wise pretty close to each other. Maybe this one is a redesign of the original MB to make it smaller and maybe cheaper.

 

[johnnymg]

Apple, PLEASE release this before the EOY!!!

GO AAPL ~~~~~~~~~~~
JohnG

 

[Lutris]

If the original MBA had been this size, I'd own one. I don't especially care how thick it is, I just want a laptop that's small.

 

[kcmac]

The 12 inch MBP was my favorite Apple laptop of all time. Still irritated that they discontinued it and finally I had to buy the 13 inch. Wish this news item happened a year or two ago.....

 

[VicMacs]

this has been in the works for some time now, its a smaller macbok air with a touchscreen and mac os x

 

[koobcamuk]

The 12 inch MBP was my favorite Apple laptop of all time. Still irritated that they discontinued it and finally I had to buy the 13 inch. Wish this news item happened a year or two ago.....

I think you mean the 12" PowerBook as they never made what you're talking about so nostalgically!

 

[bytodaystandrds]

The 12" iBook is back!!
(or at least an equivalent)

 

[ModestForumName]

Definitely going to be the new air. Smaller form factor. Longer battery life? Maybe another damn USB. either way. It HAS to be the new airs.

 

[dscuber9000]

More shrinking. Why not just go down to 9.7" and remove the keyboard?

BRILLIANT!

 

[b11051973]

If it isn't priced ridiculously like the current MBA, I'd trade my 13" MB for an 11" MBA in a second.

 

[bagelche]

More shrinking. Why not just go down to 9.7" and remove the keyboard?

nah... it'll never sell.

(Have you tried my chowder?)

 

[Thex1138]

lessons learn

From building iPads, iPhones... I wonder if it will have touch screen...

 

[TraceyS/FL]

My daughter still uses my 12" iBook, but it has some issues.

I really like the 12" laptop form factor and would consider getting one to replace my 17" mbp, but i'm apt to just keep using the iPad and add a desktop to the mix. I just can't see my laptop needs going beyond the iPad.

 

[tigres]

Gave  my CC number for this product, but they said no

 

[ghall]

If this is cheaper than the current MacBook then I will be very interested. I'm looking into getting a new computer soon and this may be exactly what I need.