Touch Panels for Apple Netbook Ordered?

[Peace]

snip

Tablets on the other hand are about as useless as can be. Designed for one handed use but, when you factor in a usable battery, heavier than a ream of paper so you gain nothing. The tablet form factor has been tried and tried and it never catches on because it's useless, except for very specific, usually very fixed installations

That is exactly why we will see an Apple tablet. Because that's what Apple does. They take a concept that seemingly doesn't fit into the norm and produces a device everybody wants.

 

[askthedust]

still using my apple netbook

called the 12" powerbook

 

[GQB]

Reaching up to a touch screen is not a natural movement. Try it for an extended period of time.

Thank you.
Touch interface will take the form of variations on the glass trackpad, possibly in the 9-key numeric spot, or as a mouse replacement.
People who think we'll interact with a vertical screen via touch (other than at standing kiosks) have been watching too many Tom Cruise movies.

 

[gkarris]

3. The glimmer and shine of Apple's stuff is wearing off. Two years ago, students walking into university were all about grabbing an Apple computer. Now I'm seeing more and more students saying "no way I can afford that". I'm seeing people involved in audio work getting pissed off because the MacBook (which was all they needed at one point) no longer has firewire. I'm seeing graphic designers who hate glossy screens saying "I can't get a 17 incher, it's too expensive and it's not nearly portable enough"...

.... It'll be interesting to see how they handle the "netbook" market.

Apple's development, I don't think, included the massive downturn in the world economy, and because of that, $249 Netbooks are a more attractive solution.

Heck, $599 and $799 for a Mini, though a good value for a Mac OS X machine, pales in this economy to a Windows machine, especially when Windows 7 (a solution to the Vista debacle, and using Windows 7, is very good) is about to be released.

Apple, as Steve Jobs stated, doesn't know how to make "cheap" computers.

A "NetPad" larger than an iPhone/iPod Touch, slightly more costly than a nicer NetBook, IMHO, will be Apple's answer.

 

[Master Chief]

Something is definitely going on at Apple Inc. - look at Snow Leopard (the size) but keep in mind that new iPhone version numbers have been spotted.

A touch tablet with Snow Leopard would be cool, and I would like to have one, but Apple is also working on improving our video experience - QTX might actually be part of a next Apple product... so will iTunes

 

[gkarris]

Something is definitely going on at Apple Inc. - look at Snow Leopard (the size) but keep in mind that new iPhone version numbers have been spotted.

A touch tablet with Snow Leopard would be cool, and I would like to have one, but Apple is also working on improving our video experience - QTX might actually be part of a next Apple product... so will iTunes

I don't think it'll have SL - but instead, OS X iPhone. Apple will be using flash instead. A true "Pad".

Who knows, they may surprise us and have two version, one with flash and iPhone OS X, and another with a hard drive and Snow Leopard.

 

[trip1ex]

Netbooks do and will continue to cater to a LOT of people. It wouldn't surprise me if the netbook marketshare on its own surpassed the ENTIRE Mac market share in a few years.

I'm not saying Apple can't compete in this market, but I can't see how an Apple NetBook would "change the playing field". Perhaps Apple will surprise me. The reason why the iPod succeeded is because (in order): They put Firewire (compared to USB 1.1) on the thing and made it easy to sync with iTunes rather than drag & drop, they brought iTunes out on Windows, they released the iPod Mini (in effect, they created a cheaper product).

They also dumped Firewire for USB 2.0 because the customer base (Windows users) mostly had USB 2.0.

I would also say that the netbook market right now is probably as big as the Mac market in terms of unit sales. But in terms of profits Apple is way ahead.

 

[j5045096]

Netbooks are the fastest growing category of computers. Nothing else is even close.

Don't like'm. Don't get one. But Apple can't ignore this market segment.

Yes, they can.

First of all your little stat about netbooks being the fastest growing category is a) made up based on your opinion and b) irrelevant anyway. Fads slow eventually and what you are left with is the business you wanna be in.

The thing is this: netbooks are designed to be ultraportable. But so are Blackberrys and iPhones. I can't grab my keys, my wallet and my netbook though - if it's going to be something I can really use I have to be able to take it everywhere and even in their small sizes, netbooks are not that. Take a look around in airports, Starbucks, out and about--people use smartphones and smartphones are getting better and better and better. ...oh yeah AND you can talk on them. And then there's brand image/quality/preservation...

(Now, I drive a Toyota a Nissan but...) Do you see Mercedes making little Korean-esque clown cars just because they'll sell? No. They're protecting their brand image and that's exactly what Apple is going to do. That's why I think any offering that is close to a netbook is going to be a next-gen MacBook Air that will be slightly smaller yet still on par (or better than) with the current power and Apple will find some kind of innovative feature (i.e. the non-replaceable battery setup like on the 17" MBPro or some kind of wireless capabilities via 3g) or some new feature that will hook people on the next Air and get them to spend the $1500+ it will cost.

And I cannot fault Apple for that - they do a brilliant job of marketing and selling the things they release.

 

[joemama]

Trying scaling UP, not DOWN, people....

I think many of you are looking at this the wrong way.

Apple has ALREADY created a netbook. It's called the iPhone. So what if Apple simple made a larger version of it - say a 7-9" screen that also had a better processor and the new OS? Isn't the point of Snow Leopard to be a "lighter" OSX?

If so, then there's your so-called "netbook." An iPhone with Flash and copy/paste. It will not be a powerhouse like many of you want, but it's not intended to be. Most people DO NOT need anything more than email and web.

I think the bigger questions are:

1.) If it is a larger iPhone/Touch - what do you do with the phone part? People won't buy an iPhone AND a Netbook. So does Apple keep the phone part in the netbook and require a headset and speakerphone as a backup? The problem is, if its too big, it can't be a "regular" phone. To me, this is the most difficult design part.

2.) It's all about subsidized data plans. The device is useless without an internet connection, so why not sell it for cheaper if you partner with a cellular provider (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc). You could still sell a more expensive version for those who don't want a contract and only use a wifi connection. This could get your cost down to $400-$500.

3.) Think education. School budgets are shrinking. A portable lab full of inexpensive netbooks would be fantastic, and imagine if textbooks and interactive workbooks could be installed right onto them at a fraction of a cost of the real thing. Heck, Kindle already has an iApp for this.

While many people are thinking about how practical a netbook would be for THEM, I ask you think about institutions as a whole - education, local governments, medical, corporate.

This could be the next wave of computing.

 

[yorkshire]

And so The Cycle begins again... Infinite Loop indeed.

An obscure component manufacturer somewhere in the Pacific Rim announces a major order for some bleeding-edge piece of technology that could conceivably become part of an expensive, digital-lifestyle-enhancing nerd toy.

So true.

 

[striatedglutes]

Apple has ALREADY created a netbook. It's called the iPhone.

I stopped reading after this line, because 10 other people have already said it. $#@%

It's almost as bad as when the entire internet embraced "you sir, are an idiot."

 

[hypermark]

Unless and until the iPhone/iPod touch UI gets materially better as a serious text input device, I still think the logical applications for this type of device are around entertainment and communication hybrids (where text input is tail, not dog).

To me, this makes it the perfect living room companion device, and also larger screen top opens up to more immersive entertainment apps (where device can overlay/compliment what's on TV, be a Wii-like controller, be a communications dashboard, connect back to home office Mac, be the wedge to Apple TV viewing form factor, support Second Life/VR types of apps, etc.).

Blogged on this one at:

Apple, TV and the Smart Connected Living Room
http://bit.ly/FBEk

There is also a link at bottom of that post to analysis of Boxee/media center space.

Check it out if interested.

Mark

 

[8CoreWhore]

It will be what we have come to know as a "netbook" not a tablet. It will have the same processor as the next iPhone. It will run all the same apps the iPhone runs. It will be a "true" netbook in that it will have 3G connectivity. It will have the same scaled down OS X as the iPhone. It will be able to use the GPU for processing just as the rest of the Mac line with Snow Leopard guts. Essentially it will have a lot in common with the next iPhone, but no phone calls and it won't fit in your pocket. If you have a iPhone plan, 3G connectivity will be discounted. It will be low profit or no profit, but will generate revenue through 3G kickbacks and iTunes/App Store sales.

 

[JGowan]

This thing is sure to be over priced.

Apple HAS to be higher priced. Their gear is simply better. Folks that complain about price never seem to take into account the Quality of the Materials and the Perfection of the Build. Why? Because then they wouldn't have something to b!tch about. There are also quite a few PC Trolls here that want to create negative on Apple at every chance they get.

Apple has the best OS, in the best-looking and excellently crafted machines around. I happily pay more because it's simply WORTH IT.

I seriously hope Apple doesn't release a netbook...EVER.

Easy answer ... don't buy one.

Just because other companies haven't solved all the problems you mentioned, doesn't mean that Apple can't. Cell phones used to be hard to use and way too complicated and now the iPhone has shown the world how great a cell phone can be. This could be true too for netbooks if Apple actually puts it out. I'll certainly consider it.

Crawl. Walk. Run. Let 'em at least try.

 

[8CoreWhore]

delete

 

[joemama]

It's almost as bad as when the entire internet embraced "you sir, are an idiot."

Are you kidding me, "Mr. I joined this website in 2009"??? Go back to where ever you came from. No one needs your negative opinions.

So you expect people to never have the same idea and post about them?

Go back to class and we'll see you at high school graduation. We'll be watching you from the stands (finally) receive your diploma.

 

[j5045096]

3. The glimmer and shine of Apple's stuff is wearing off. Two years ago, students walking into university were all about grabbing an Apple computer. Now I'm seeing more and more students saying "no way I can afford that". I'm seeing people involved in audio work getting pissed off because the MacBook (which was all they needed at one point) no longer has firewire. I'm seeing graphic designers who hate glossy screens saying "I can't get a 17 incher, it's too expensive and it's not nearly portable enough"...

and yet Apples market share keeps growing--they found somebody else to sell to other than the college film student student. Oh and this raises an interesting point: you described a fad from 2 years ago-now it's cooled off. Last July whatever I stood in like starting at 4am at an AT&T store to get an iPhone. Now you can walk right in without any wait. It doesn't mean there's no demand, it just means demand is being met. Are all of those kids who bought an Apple 2 years ago in the market for a new computer? Hopefully not! They made a good quality purchase 2 years ago that should still have plenty of life in it!

 

[j5045096]

It will be what we have come to know as a "netbook" not a tablet. It will have the same processor as the next iPhone. It will run all the same apps the iPhone runs. It will be a "true" netbook in that it will have 3G connectivity. It will have the same scaled down OS X as the iPhone. It will be able to use the GPU for processing just as the rest of the Mac line with Snow Leopard guts. Essentially it will have a lot in common with the next iPhone, but no phone calls and it won't fit in your pocket. If you have a iPhone plan, 3G connectivity will be discounted. It will be low profit or no profit, but will generate revenue through 3G kickbacks and iTunes/App Store sales.

It will be...in your dreams. I'm not even trying to be rude but it's a pipe dream. It isn't what Apple does and nothing has given us any reason to believe it's what they're going to do. We knew the phone was coming - there is no reason to believe this is on it's way.

 

[nemacman]

Apple HAS to be higher priced. Their gear is simply better. Folks that complain about price never seem to take into account the Quality of the Materials and the Perfection of the Build. Why? Because then they wouldn't have something to b!tch about. There are also quite a few PC Trolls here that want to create negative on Apple at every chance they get.

Apple has the best OS, in the best-looking and excellently crafted machines around. I happily pay more because it's simply WORTH IT.

Don't buy one.

Quality of the Materials and the Perfection of the Build? How many people have had problems with macbooks or iphones cracking again?

 

[j5045096]

Don't buy one.

That's irrelevant. There won't ever be one.

 

[TheSlush]

Mac Tablet?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Tallest Skil]

You must be joking or on crack!

The X-Mac is the mythical $1599-$1999 low-cost Mac mini-tower that will never happen as long as Steve Jobs runs Apple.

And you must be joking or on crack to think that Apple will ever give you that. The quad-core Mac Pro is as close as you will get.

Nope, doesn't qualify as Apple are still not using desktop-class processors, anyway this is way off topic so I'll button it

The quad-core Mac Pro uses the 3500 Xeon. The 3500 Xeon IS Bloomfield, just with ECC turned on.

 

[Ping Guo]

Now, I drive a Toyota a Nissan but...) Do you see Mercedes making little Korean-esque clown cars just because they'll sell? No. They're protecting their brand image and that's exactly what Apple is going to do.

Smart (Swatch Mercedes ART) made by Mercedes. I'm just sayin...

 

[Bubba Satori]

Yes, they can.

First of all your little stat about netbooks being the fastest growing category is a) made up based on your opinion and b) irrelevant anyway. Fads slow eventually and what you are left with is the business you wanna be in.

No it's not, therefore I ignored the rest of your dubious post. You need to try harder as an Apple apologist. You're failing massively.

"Research firm IDC has confirmed that ultra small, ultra cheap laptops are outpacing the rest of the PC industry in the EMEA market and the momentum is unlikely to decline in 2009.

In Q4 2008, 3.6 million units were sold which represents 20 percent of total laptop sales and 30 percent of consumer laptops sold during that period. In other words, the netbook market is worth nearly two third of the business laptop market in terms of units sold.

Netbooks (or as IDC calls them mini notebooks) have been one of the most sought-after items in Christmas season last year and represented more than four fifths of the sales volumes in Western Europe."

http://www.itproportal.com/portal/n...igures-reveal-massive-netbook-growth-q4-2008/

 

[Peace]

No it's not, therefore I ignored the rest of your dubious post. You need to try harder as an Apple apologist. You're failing massively.

"Research firm IDC has confirmed that ultra small, ultra cheap laptops are outpacing the rest of the PC industry in the EMEA market and the momentum is unlikely to decline in 2009.

In Q4 2008, 3.6 million units were sold which represents 20 percent of total laptop sales and 30 percent of consumer laptops sold during that period. In other words, the netbook market is worth nearly two third of the business laptop market in terms of units sold.

Netbooks (or as IDC calls them mini notebooks) have been one of the most sought-after items in Christmas season last year and represented more than four fifths of the sales volumes in Western Europe."

I will back up your post by pointing out Amazon's best sellers :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/pc/ref=sv_pc_1