Apple touch-screen netbook in Q3?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted March 9th 2009 7:17AM
posted March 9th 2009 7:17AM
[Image courtesy of Frunny]
posted March 9th 2009 7:17AM
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Here is a way to think about it:
- iPod Touch - $400; iPhone - $700; MacBook - $1000
- netbooks: $300 to $1000 (incl. Vaio P)
In recent months:
- all new manufacturing process, starting with MBA (a "show-off" piece of kit) and extending down the portables line (MacBook Pro), and the desktop line (iMac and Mini)
- millions in profits from the App Store
- discussions with ATT re: low-cost tethering of the iPhone through iTunes
- increasing size of trackpad
- shoring up of multitouch IP
Here is the basic question: If you were Apple, what kind of portable computer device could you make to sell for $700 - $1000 that doesn't also have to be a phone?
- it would have a multitouch, capacitative screen and no trackpad
- it would have a variant of OSX that would
(a) - incorporate extensive UI optimizations
(b) - require specially optimized applications
(c) - be difficult to port to existing netbooks
- it would run iTunes and allow locked down tethering to the iPhone
- it would have an App Store
- it would have a battery life of about 5 hours
I think these aspects are less clear:
- will it have a hardware keyboard? a convertible tablet design?
- will it have stylus support and handwriting recognition?
- will it be plastic or aluminum?
- HDD or SDD? 1.8" or 2.5"?
- how does the cost of capacitative touchscreen tech scale with screen size?
If Apple made a netbook of some kind, and every iPhone 3G owner bought one, would it be a success or a failure?
When i first saw the tile i was like "NIIIICE" when i notice the "netbook" i notice that has a form like Sony P i was like " oh crap" which as you can understand is "NOT" a netbook but a UMPC. And if i recall correct Apple said that netbooks are a bag of hurt (along with Blu-ray), so i guess this "UMPC" is going to be expensive.
But as they say, hope dies last. Who knows perhaps someone in Apple will be kidnapped by aliens and after all the probing and the brainwashing will release him and will be a new man, understanding that their products can be defective and that are expensive. To bad, because that man will be the window cleaner.
:)
You wish.....
Even if they did put one out, I doubt it would sell for any less than $1500, otherwise it would cannibalize their macbook sales.
Students buy a lot of macbooks. Students will stop buying macbooks and buy this tablet if it releases for cheaper.
Microsoft has been doing tablets for a lot longer, not to mention they have a lot more tablet compliant software (Onenote anybody?). At the risk of pulling a Balmer iphone blunder, I'd say it's very unlikely.
When i first saw the tile i was like "NIIIICE" when i notice the "netbook" i notice that has a form like Sony P which as you can understand is "NOT" a netbook but a UMPC. And if i recall correct Apple said that netbooks are a bag of hurt, so i guess this "UMPC" is and going to be more expensive, simply because is a tradition for Apple :)
But as they say, hope dies last. Who knows perhaps someone in Apple will be kidnapped by aliens and after all the probing and the brainwashing will release him and will be a new man, understanding that their products can be defective and that are expensive. To bad, because that man will be the window cleaner.
:)
sorry for double post. Engadget needs new comment system.
If Apple make their own tablet, what happens to the ModBook team? They hire the guys or sue them?
If I can buy a Dell mini 9 ($200) and load leopard ($120) why do I need an expensive Apple Netbook?
First, the mini 9 is $250 base, but you're looking at $300+ if you want it to run osx. Beyond that, applecare support, no risk of breaking it w/ software updates, specialized hardware like multitouch trackpads and magsafe power, server-grade components, better looking aluminum case.
I guess there is also the prestige of owning a mac, but I think far less people buy for this reason than the mac haters would like to admit.
WOW that track pad looks ready for some serious left to right scrolling.
If Apple can do this right, it might be an interesting product. To my eye, well-designed netbooks are painfully scarce, and yes, I'm vain enough that aesthetics matter to me. Not the brand name, so much, I just have a hard time seriously using something that looks or feels janky and cheap, like the majority of netbooks do. I think I just need an excuse to pull the trigger on an HP mini 1000.
I think that instead of being a mac net-touch-book thing, we're going to see them upgrade the panels on the unibody macbook/pros. Think about it. The screen is covered with glass (like the iphone.) They've been adding multitouch to the OS for a bit now... I'm picturing macbooks exactly as they are now, but with capacitive touch screens that take advantage of the glass.
"BLAH BLAH BLAH SMUDGES" yeah, I dont care. I take care of my electronics and clean them frequently anyhow. I'd be more than willing to have to clean smudges off if I could drag things across my laptop screen like I can on the iPhone. It would be a HUGE boost for Apple to take people interested in the multitouch features in W7, but actually make them wicked useful.
I would love to scroll webpages on a macbook screen with my finger on the screen. Oh, one can dream...
It definitely wont be under $500. If it is spec'd like other netbooks, $800 is about right. If they go all out and make a performance netbook (or ion) it will be priced like the Air. I probably would have bought it regardless of price if it came out last fall, but by Q3 I'll have a Mini 9.
IF Apple enters the netbook market it won't be touchscreen. Ain't gonna happen. No Apple netbook would cost less than $899 and a maxed out version would cost at least $1199. Mark my words. And they'd drop the white MacBook if they did.
I am so pissed! Just great! This news comes the day after I purchase a HP mini netbook. Don’t want to backpack through South America with my new MBP so I figured a $300 netbook would be great for my globetrekking. No big deal. If Apple does come out with this, I guess I’ll just sell the HP and buy the Apple.
Sorry to break up your little party folks - BIG GAME CHANGING COMING LATER THIS WEEK in the how other OEM's have no answer to the the Apple Juicer - watch for new product releases in Japan!
awholeian
First of all you can pick up Dell mini 9 for $185 and even less with EPP.
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1214201&highlight=ssd
Secondly with all the issues Apples been having with MBA hinges, MB Pro screen problems etc and Apple having one of the worst repair history why would I throw in my $$$ for Apple Netbook.
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Squaretrade-888128.html
Thirdly your point about prestige of owning a mac which is hilarious. You must have some psychological issues if it makes you proud of owing some piece of hardware. Apple thrives on suckers like you.
1) I didn't know about the EPP, thanks for the tip! However, not everyone is eligible, so that's about the same as saying it is cheaper with a student discount as many people are not students.
2) I'll concede that Apple has problems with faulty hardware, but their customer service is generally high for products under warranty. The MBA hinge issue will probably fall under warranty once there are enough cases to recognize it as a design problem. This is similar to the hinge problem in the titanium powerbook. Their turnaround and attitude is usually very admirable.
3) If you thought I was serious I suggest you re-read what I said.
@gtaylor99
Well maybe not *snappier*
More like *touchier*
Bloody comment system.... Grrrrrrrr
Obviously this thing is phoney as hell, but if Apple were to create a "netbook", they would definitely position it differently than the EEE PC and consorts. I would imagine it to be more like the ASUS EEE Touch line, only then with an iPhone like flavour of Mac OS X and a more robust feel to it.
If they were to make such a device, they would place it between their MacBook Air and iPhone/iPod Touch, which is actually a pretty tight niche. I wouldn't count on that happening any time soon :)
Apple netbook won't be under $500, they have to keep the iPhone attractive still. Apple should basically give the netbook the same specs as the entry model Mac Mini and put it out for $699 ($100 more than the entry model Mac Mini).
Anything over $699 and they are going to be too expensive for the netbook market. $699 is already really high for that market but its an Apple product so I believe people would be willing to shell out an extra $200 or so for the status of an Apple laptop and a decent OS. If Apple can put out the Netbook for $599, it would sell like crazy, but it would totally cannibalize the mac minis, unless those ended up plunging in price - I really have no idea how well those have been selling, but I feel they are over priced.
I think if Apple can put out a good product for that key price point of $500 - $700 they will see a great end in 2009. Apple needs to realize that it needs to put out a more economic friendly product or 2 otherwise it is going to see a really lame year. This also means that Apple will have to actually keep it reasonably priced, unlike everything else it puts out.
Here's my idea of how it could unfold, if it's even possible...
Since Apple these days usually launches these kinds of 'revolutionary' devices along with first release of some new hardware platform, I call Apple doing a netbook being the first to release on the Intel Moorestown platform. Much better performance than any existing Menlow netbook in every way - speed, battery life and cost (much higher integration than Menlow/Atom). Intel gets a tier1 partner for first release that is easy to control (locked OS + tightly controlled hardware platform), so its a worthwhile effort for them.
If that was the plan, I'd buy one. If it was just another Menlow-based (Atom cpu) netbook, it would hardly be worth the effort.
I believe I heard from somewhere that Windows won't run on Moorestown anyway... maybe I'm wrong?
Apple netbook been out since 07, it's called air. $1800 get over it.!!!it's like asking lamborghini to make a commuter car $12000!!ok I silenced all !!!!!
meh. considering Jobs has repeatedly said he think netbooks are dumb, I'll weight this toward the "false rumor" side.
the thing is, no one knows the size of the displays being ordered.
for all we know its the next generation of iphone/ipod screens
Sheesh - they should just make a 6x9" iTouch.
One thing very interesting about all this from reading other articles on the matter is that they didn't mention the size of the screens. How can you know what it's going to be used for?
They could well be producing a screen for a the new iPhone that will be coming out and everyone decided to speculate about a netbook because it's a hot word that gets a lot of attention or because Apple recently refreshed it's computer line without a netbook like some people anticipated.
This scenario seems more plausible to me than the Apple Netbook.
Think about that...
Wow, now THAT is some pretty amazing stuff dude!
RT
www.privacy.at.tc
...keyboard is still qwerty; ugly.
damn. if that mockup came out or something similar i'd buy it.
A larger form factor ipod/iphone touch is far more likely than an Apple netbook. The app store eco-system is a huge factor. I would buy a large screen 3G data/wifi enabled ipod touch in a heartbeat - I do not need a netbook.
In fact I would see the app store being the driving force for another product refresh - e.g. Apple TV - Apple TV as is - with an App Store for downloading games - add a controller --- boom - instant casual gaming market in the living room.
I think Apples biggest problem right now is how to drive the quality and profitability of app store content upwards.
i'm with ya Hugh, but, must have two USB3 ports, 128GB, 12hr battery, full OSX 10.6 and iPod style syncing.
Boys and girls,
Don't get your panties in a bunch. Here are the facts:
1. There will be no such thing as an Apple netbook, ever, as Psion will have the name netbook trademark back into their domain and noone will be able to pronounce the word without giving Psion $300 canadian.
2. A form factor smaller than the current Macbook will cost $700-800 at base price.
3. It'll look like a giant ipod touch and I'm going to be disappointed at the lack of a real keyboard, and the search will continue for a good looking subnotebook non-netbook.
this will only beeeeeeeeeeee 5500$ and nothing included but for a low 200 dollars you can get a charger
China is always wrong when it comes to Apple rumors. We should never listen to them, as they know very little about Apple.
My prediction:
- 10" Touchscreen utilizing the new Pixel Qi screens which should be out by then
- Will run a modified version of the iPhone OS. OS X simply isn't made for touch.
- Will probably use a Power Architecture processor from Apple's acquisition of PA Semi
- Non-removable battery
- Multitouch with some form of haptic feedback
- Apple will call into use their recent handwriting acquisitions as the primary means of input for this device with an alternative OSKB
- Priced around 700-900 USD to compete with Sony's "netbook." This adds a nice price point between the iPhone and a macbook.
Apple won't call it a netbook but will introduce it as a supplement to one of it's already existing product lines.
The sad thing is that I was thinking about building a very similar device myself but I clearly don't have Apple's resources. =(
first off, apple has been around for years making computers, so to say that they're "a 'me too' 'copycat' clone that's 'late to the party'" is wrong by far. Apple's OS has had many features that have slowly creeped into windows over the coming years. They made a touch screen phone, and now everyones trying to copy them. so maybe you should rethink who the real copycats are. Granted they are late to the tablet/ touch scene, but how well does your tablet work with windows? and how many versions? and the number of applications you need to run to get it to work? The only reason they're late to the scene is that they're making sure that the technology works first, i.e the iPhone v. its competitors.
Second, need i remind you of the many, many, many versions of Windows OS. Apple making a new laptop with newer features is a rip off, but M$ building 6 versions of the same OS is just marketing strategy. And then fixing it, adding a feature and renaming is even better.
The difference between Apple and M$, is that Apple has learned to make money without screwing the end-user with endless updates, security fixes, and the ever so popular Service Packs. They've learned that if you put something on the market, and it works, people will buy more.
Some people should really rethink their perspective on technology.
Looking at that "photo"/drawing of the presumed Apple netbook, I noticed that it doesn't seem to have a hinge.
Does anyone think that it is actually going to look like the picture depicts?
AIR 2 ?? dual LCD ?
One is touch screen for software keyboard and else.
One is normal 13' screen for display....
If apple follows other company for netbook, this is not so-called apple, I think.
Maybe new idea for new device...
these are apparently the specs for this new netbook:
http://www.derekunderwood.com/general-computer/details-regarding-new-apple-touch-netbook/
no offence to those who did the mockup, but what is the point of having a touch screen if you are going to put a keyboard on the thing as well. apple is not going to duplicate major functionality on a device - it serves no purpose, especially with the success of the iphones touch interface. if the device has a touch screen, you can be almost certain it will not have a physical keyboard.
I hope it has a stylus.
NIce Ph0t0$h0p of my BT Keyboard, LMAO!!!
Of course the tendencies move toward a touchscreen, but... isn't the laptop a bit too thin even for SSD's and the other components needet to work? An the battery? 3 AA like my keyboard does? LMAO!!!
Just some food for thought:
1) Apple will not enter the "low end" Netbook market, because they would have to spend quite a bit of money on R&D and then end up only making a small profit on each one sold. It would not be financially viable for them to do that.
2) For a Mac fan to get an acceptable OSX Netbook, they can simply do a bit of Googling, get an existing Netbook (Dell Mini 9 or other such), and with a little bit of tweaking, install a copy of OSX. For Apple, this means that they still make a profit that could be associated with selling an Apple Netbook, but without the cost of R&D. Of course software piracy cuts into those profits, but there are still going to be plenty of people that are willing to bend the EULA, but will still buy a valid retail copy of OSX. This is basically free money for Apple.
3) I think that the most likely next "Apple toy" will be a new generation of the MacBook Air line. They will probably have an optional touch screen, as well as 10- or 12-inch models that will be able to be put out at a price point that is under where the current MacBook line sits, but still above the lower-end Netbooks. This would not take as much R&D, and it builds on an already existing product line. People will buy this "Netbook" for several reasons: because it will have features that put this device a step above the "lower end" Netbook models that are currently out there; and of course because there are people that will buy it because of the fruit on the cover.
Of course this is all just speculaton... Until I'm proven right...
Here is my take on the apple netbook:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1551804/apple_jumping_into_the_netbook_market.html?cat=15
If they make netbook type product they will charge more than current netbooks, like Sony are. Apple always commands a premium for its products.
Since netbooks came out, I haven't sold a single MB Air. They basically do the same(or offer the same advantage over a laptop) and are 25% of the price of a MBA. IMO the MBA is dead.(waits for flames lol)
I use a netbook, and love it, they are just useful. I have other computers for more hardcore tasks, but for net stuff, its V handy. If and when apple make a netbook type device, I have no doubt it will be a winner, and unlike the air, not mostly a fashion statement.
If they release a product in the $500 or less range, this might be a good opportunity for Apple to get new users accustomed to their OS.