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Apple Touchscreen Netbook to Launch in October at $800?

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!
 
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.
 
Too Expensive, Unless...

$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.
 
hashholly said:
Not at 720p and not on hulu.com it doesn't....which is why i ditched both hackintosh netbooks i've owned.
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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.
 
No keyboard on the NetPad

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.
 
Missing the point!

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.
 
hashholly said:
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.
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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
 
FoxyKaye said:
$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.
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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.
 
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.
 
hashholly said:
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.
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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.
 
iMacmatician said:
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:
Click to expand...

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
 
qbricc said:
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.
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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.
 
isaaclimdc said:
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?
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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

Eidorian said:
I draw the line at 10.1". You really need a 92% keyboard at the very least.
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For a physical keyboard, I agree. A virtual one is another matter altogether. :eek:

Cassie said:
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.
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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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
I'm making a wild guess ...

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

bossxii said:
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.
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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.
 
Shake 'n' Bake said:
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.
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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.
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Can I ask what is better than a Core 2 Duo? Are you requiring an i7 in your netbook?
 
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