Apple's Sub-Notebook 'Delayed' Until 2009, iPhone Colors in 2008?

[BBCWatcher]

See, that's the problem with a stripped-down notebook. I highly doubt there'll be expandable RAM on this notebook, and I'm not even sure if there will be more than one RAM slot.

Almost all netbooks are coming to market with expandable RAM, usually just one slot (so typical max 2 GB). That's for $400+ machines. For Apple to get a slice of the market at $739 I think a 1 GB soldered/one socket/3 GB max configuration is perfect.

This notebook's losing a bunch of features, and if you can't even run anything higher than iPhoto, why not just use the iPhone OS and go full mini-tablet? You won't be using mid-to-high-end apps or do heavy multitasking either way. Plus, it'll be cheaper, and most likely run better too (less bloat).

Apple could leave those applications on the machine actually, and they'd work OK. I'm mainly suggesting it for product differentiation, and people could buy them even if they aren't preloaded.

Why not just an iPhone? Because 10+ million buyers by 2012 will be buying machines in this category, and nearly 100% of those buyers will not also buy Apple. Those $400+ machines are going to eat away at MacBook (base model) and MBA sales. A lot of netbooks are rather nice.

And I'm assuming it's easier and better to build the iPhone OS up than to strip Mac OS X down and still maintain application compatibility.

Nothing about stripping here. It's full Leopard (and later Snow Leopard). Just (maybe) a couple binary settings flipped to save a little CPU by default and an "iLife Net" preload (mainly for differentiation), that's all. Same reason for preloading iWork on the Pros (and possibly MBA), for differentiating the product segments. MBN/MB buyers can still buy iWork if they want it.

By the way, today Leopard is running on gobs of 1024x768 resolution machines. 1120x700 is wonderful and way better than its competitors, which seem to be consolidating at 1024x600. Also 1120x700 is less "squinty" than a 1280x800 (MacBook/MBA) display would be at 11 inches. Now this is going to depend on what parts Apple can get and at what price. The volumes of 10 inch 1024x600 displays are going to be huge, and that's tempting but I think inappropriate for a $739 Apple machine.

We should also keep in mind places like Asia. Apple needs a product like the MBN for Japan (which favors small and light but high quality machines; they would gravitate toward the high-end MBN and to some extent the MBA) and price sensitive countries like China and India (base MBN). Apple's marketshare in Asia is not great, and that's where there are some growth opportunities.

 

[MAcNIAC]

there seems to be some people here who dont realise how small netbooks are, and why macbook air is a very different beast.

Here's an example

http://www.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/eee-pc-900-3-290x300.jpg

 

[Wild-Bill]

Bring on the 12" MBP, Apple!!!! I'd be first in line. Nice 'n thin, dedicated video card. Option for SSD, and LED backlight.

Hopefully my 12" Powerbook will hold out until then. Best notebook Apple ever made.

 

[iMacmatician]

Almost all netbooks are coming to market with expandable RAM, usually just one slot (so typical max 2 GB). That's for $400+ machines. For Apple to get a slice of the market at $739 I think a 1 GB soldered/one socket/3 GB max configuration is perfect.

I would agree with you except that Apple would undoubtedly make the notebook 1/2 the thickness of any other netbook, which would mean less expandability (see MacBook Air).

Apple could leave those applications on the machine actually, and they'd work OK. I'm mainly suggesting it for product differentiation, and people could buy them even if they aren't preloaded.

Oh right. That makes sense. Then iPhone OS would be a little too light for such a device. I thought they actually wouldn't work on the Mac netbook.

Why not just an iPhone?

iPhone OS. Add iLife, iWork, edit features in iPod (iTunes), calendar, etc., add e-book functionality, multitasking (but each application would still be an individual), and place it on a device bigger than the iPod touch. Then you get a lot of the benefits of a small (≈7") Mac netbook without the high spec requirements.

 

[localoid]

there seems to be some people here who dont realise how small netbooks are, and why macbook air is a very different beast.

Here's an example

http://www.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/eee-pc-900-3-290x300.jpg

The term netbook was introduced by Intel in February 2008 to describe a category of small-sized, low-cost, light weight, lean function subnotebooks optimized for Internet access and core computing functions (e.g., word processing) — either from directly from applications installed on the netbook itself or indirectly, via cloud computing. [Wikipedia]

Netbooks target secondary PC users. "Netbooks are all about content consumption, while notebooks allow users [to create] content," said Uday Marty, Intel's mobility platform general manager.

MIC believes netbook shipments will exceed 8-million during 2008. More than 50 million Netbooks are expected to be in widespread circulation by 2011. However, some analysts have expressed concern that netbook sales could cut into PC makers' already thin profit margins.

Top to bottom: Nintendo DS (handheld), Asus Eee PC (subnotebook) and MacBook (laptop). [Wikipedia]

 

[MRU]

have you actually seen or used a netbook with a 9 inch screen?

Have you ever used a macbook air ? Do you think most people using them are doing any real power applications or are they mostly surfing / email / blogging and jotting up the odd bit of text.

They fufill similar purposes.

I do own a MacBookAir which is mainly used to surf the net. If apple released a high quality netbook I would have bought one of them instead of my MBA, especailly considering the huge price differential if a netbook is sub $999.

 

[CyberBob859]

The term netbook was introduced by Intel in February 2008 to describe a category of small-sized, low-cost, light weight, lean function subnotebooks optimized for Internet access and core computing functions (e.g., word processing) — either from directly from applications installed on the netbook itself or indirectly, via cloud computing. [Wikipedia]

Netbooks target secondary PC users. "Netbooks are all about content consumption, while notebooks allow users [to create] content," said Uday Marty, Intel's mobility platform general manager.

MIC believes netbook shipments will exceed 8-million during 2008. More than 50 million Netbooks are expected to be in widespread circulation by 2011. However, some analysts have expressed concern that netbook sales could cut into PC makers' already thin profit margins.

Top to bottom: Nintendo DS (handheld), Asus Eee PC (subnotebook) and MacBook (laptop). [Wikipedia]

And, from this picture, the ideal subnotebook would be between the Eee PC pictured and the Macbook. It would have a bigger keyboard and screen, and a price that also falls in-between the Eee PC (around $500) and the MacBook (starting at $1099)

When you also consider that the MacBook Air has the same size keyboard and screen as the MacBook, you can see from a marketing perspective where a subnotebook would fit. Want something small and light, but inexpensive, get the subnotebook. If you want a full-size screen and keyboard, but also light and thin, then get the Air.

And when you consider what Asus is doing, Apple just can't afford to ignore this market, IMO.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10009828-1.html?tag=cnetfd.mt

 

[MAcNIAC]

Have you ever used a macbook air ? Do you think most people using them are doing any real power applications or are they mostly surfing / email / blogging and jotting up the odd bit of text.

They fufill similar purposes.

I do own a MacBookAir which is mainly used to surf the net. If apple released a high quality netbook I would have bought one of them instead of my MBA, especailly considering the huge price differential if a netbook is sub $999.

Fullfill similar purposes - well I guess all computers do that to some extent.

The MBA will still appeal to

the image conscious
those who want portability with a big (relatively) screen
those who dont like small keyboards

but it's WAAAAYYY overpriced if you just want the net and word processing on the go.

it's footprint is also too B I G, thin is cool and all - but there is no way an MBA is as portable as an eee.

SO people with a good reason to buy a MBA will buy one.

If apple builds a netbook, a lot of people will buy them.
If they dont apple will lose a lot of customers to asus (and others)

Oh and yes I've used a MBA - my sister has one - it's beautiful, it's great to type on, & it's light enough, but it feels fragile, and it isnt as portable as an eee.

 

[iMacmatician]

If apple builds a netbook, a lot of people will buy them.
If they dont apple will lose a lot of customers to asus (and others)

Oh and yes I've used a MBA - my sister has one - it's beautiful, it's great to type on, & it's light enough, but it feels fragile, and it isnt as portable as an eee.

If Apple introduces a netbook I will have to seriously consider getting one. Of course it would be a complement to another laptop or desktop.

 

[MRU]

OK well having seen this lovely thing recently in the flesh I was so tempted to order one myself.... however I'm procrastinating.

http://dfj-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=1221
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vny9HpphNlY

If Apple decided to make one with similar features and of course OSX then I'll certainly buy

Amazing they managed to get a DVDRW inside this thing.

 

[marcg007]

The Air...

Are these people really this dumb? a new iPhone? I hope they just mean larger storage not a "new" iPhone. There is no way apple is going to have a whole new iPhone that fast. I think there wont be a whole new one till 2010, when their at&t contract is out.

As far as another sub notebook their wont be another one they have the Air.

The only place where their product line is lacking is in a consumer desktop. They need something that is not a mini, or iMac. They need a regular desktop, not with 2 quad cores but with 1 quad core, for right around that 899 - 1199 price range. I would love a regular desktop style mac, but I can't afford a Mac Pro, I think many people would love that.

Is not a sub notebook. A sub notebook typically is a lightweight laptop with a 12 inch or smaller screen. The weight of the MBA is great and while fairly severely underpowered, if something smaller than 13.2 (ie 12 inch or smaller) came out with specs not too different from the air, I suspect that I, along with many others would buy it. I and many others need something with a smaller footprint than the air.

 

[macdot]

Red iPhones would sell like hotcakes (more so than black and white already are).

 

[ArchiMark]

There is no point to sub notebooks. If there ever was, that market is dying. With power fitting into smaller and smaller spaces, who wants a notebook, the size of a MacBook air that does less than a MacBook air. Maybe it costs less? I doubt it would be worth it considering all the docking equipment you'd need to buy.

Huh??...'market is dying'???

Are you kidding me???

Have you checked recently how many eeePC's have been sold in the past year???

Have you tried to find stores that have enough MSI Wind's in stock in the past month or so???

Have you heard that Lenovo and Dell are releasing new subnotes or netbooks as everyone's calling them now???

Think you need to get out more....

 

[atvbballrob]

Huh??...'market is dying'???

Are you kidding me???

Have you checked recently how many eeePC's have been sold in the past year???

Have you tried to find stores that have enough MSI Wind's in stock in the past month or so???

Have you heard that Lenovo and Dell are releasing new subnotes or netbooks as everyone's calling them now???

Think you need to get out more....

hahaha. ya i think you got him there: obviously the sub market is doing great.

 

[consoleboi]

Sales in the sub netbook market has only just begun...Lenovo just joined the game not to mention a few cloners..

Apple would be foolish to ignore this market. I think they were a bit greedy to sell the MBA at their premium price. For people looking for something portable and light and "affordable" they are looking at the variance on eee pc markets.

People are even installing OS X on them and except for a few glitches they run relative well. These sub netbooks are not meant for heavy duty processing but they are fine for general computing.

Apple could easily introduce an eee pc clone with dual core atom and sell it for +50 premium of the asus eee pc 1000H and you have a winner here. Include touch screen and it'll sell like hotcakes.

Dual core atoms has enough processing to handle OS X with ease. Single core with XP can handle 720P video playback.
EEE PC 1000H with XP can easily last about 5 hrs. Can we say the same for MBA? Not that it's a fair comparison but who doesn't enjoy an extra few hours of computing without having to look for a power outlet.

 

[nick9191]

I wish they would stop introducing products no one cares about and get to work on their current product line.

And no for the one millionth time the Macbook Air is far from overpriced. Its cheaper and faster than most of its competitors.

 

[iMacmatician]

People are even installing OS X on them and except for a few glitches they run relative well. These sub netbooks are not meant for heavy duty processing but they are fine for general computing.

I wonder how well multitasking, iLife, and iWork work on them. I also wonder how the small display and low resolution impacts Mac OS X and apps. Somehow I can't see the user experience being so great.

I wish they would stop introducing products no one cares about and get to work on their current product line.

Just wait for the redesign next month.

 

[ArchiMark]

I wonder how well multitasking, iLife, and iWork work on them. I also wonder how the small display and low resolution impacts Mac OS X and apps. Somehow I can't see the user experience being so great.

Just wait for the redesign next month.

I just had a MSI Wind netbook and installed OSX on it, worked surpisingly well!

Very much like the way my MacBook works, had 2GB RAM installed in the Wind....made me wish even more that Apple would release a true subnote and preferably a convertible tabletPC style design like my little Fujitsu P1610 (8.9" display, roughly 9"x7" and 2.2#)....

 

[consoleboi]

I wish they would stop introducing products no one cares about and get to work on their current product line.

And no for the one millionth time the Macbook Air is far from overpriced. Its cheaper and faster than most of its competitors.

Given the specs it has actually it is rather expensive! Aside from the impressive thinness it's very under powered and don't even bother mentioning the lack of USB ports.

Most EEE type sub netbooks come with at least 2 USB ports..

 

[Eric S.]

And no for the one millionth time the Macbook Air is far from overpriced. Its cheaper and faster than most of its competitors.

I don't know who you consider "most of its competitors" to be, but it's certainly more expensive and slower than either the MB or MBP. You pay a lot for thin, swoopy design, and a h*ll of a lot for SSD, while getting an underpowered CPU, no optical drive, no firewire, and a single USB port.

 

[ArchiMark]

I don't know who you consider "most of its competitors" to be, but it's certainly more expensive and slower than either the MB or MBP. You pay a lot for thin, swoopy design, and a h*ll of a lot for SSD, while getting an underpowered CPU, no optical drive, no firewire, and a single USB port.

But other than that, it's great, right?.....

 

[Mr. Friday]

Well, still, some of the features are still going to be exceptionally cool without the ports that it should have.

It would be so cool if i can find the way to open it up and make it customized completely laden with windows, linux, and all games to go with and see whats up.

 

[Eric S.]

But other than that, it's great, right?.....

Yeah, if you like that sort of thing.

I consider it beyond ugly.

 

[powers74]

duh

Duh.

No wonder our economy is in such sad shape, if "analysts" are only figuring out basic stuff like this 20 years after the fact.

That's brilliant. well I guess I can wait for early '09 for an iPhone. anyway it'll be about 99% by then and my T-mobile contract will be up. maybe it will bring back the metal enclosure, it will be the only product in Apple's entire lineup without one. err excluding the plastic behind iMac.

 

[kiwi031]

Believing the stuff about the iphone. It had better happen. I really want it, but only on PAYG !! The current one isn't quite good enough for me. 32Gb and a better camera and i'm sold straight away and new colours could be cool!

Industry sources point to the imminent release of said 32Gb iPhone with a 5.0MP camera, on PAYG.... MacRumor forums fill up with bloggers saying they'll pick one up the day it comes out, stay out in the cold, sell the wife, etc.... Apple announces media event (GASP!).... We all tune in to MacRumoursLive.... "new iphone....iphone to be PAYG... 32GB .... 5.0MP camera.... available in all UK.... price.... £999.95 (very roughly U$D2000)!!!!!!!" hahahah.

And we all moan about how that price is ridiculous, nobody buys one... etc etc. LOL