Apple's touch-screen netbook gets another shot of rumor juice

Yesterday's Apple netbook rumor courtesy of the Commercial Times / DigiTimes combo just received a boost of credibility by sources (presumably independent) speaking to the Dow Jones Newswire. Citing "two people close to the situation," the DJ pretty much regurgitates the same info: Wintek will provide the touch-screen display which Quanta will manufacture into an Apple netbook as early as the second half of the year. The only new bit of information is the screen size said to be between 9.7 and 10-inches.

[Thanks, Sam; Image courtesy of Frunny]

[allislost @ Mar 10th 2009 5:43AM]

lame...

[ill trooper @ Mar 10th 2009 5:52AM]

I'm sorry... Did you type something? Hmm?

[Darkroom @ Mar 10th 2009 6:07AM]

he wrote "lame"... rest assured that this release will be lame... apple will try to spin it somehow, calling it "innovative", or "the thinest netbook in the world", meanwhile it'll be more expensive than the low-end macbook with only a quarter of the features and usability...

[KarlW @ Mar 10th 2009 6:35AM]

"It'll be more expensive than the low-end macbook with only a quarter of the features and usability"

Maybe they'll surprise us!

I bet you they don't, though.

[iphonerulez @ Mar 10th 2009 7:06AM]

Apple might not have invented the netbook, but they will have the best netbook after Steve gives it his blessing. Besides, it's not the hardware, it's all in the OS which will make it a brand-new user's experience. Even if it costs $600, as long as it has a glowing Apple on it, it will be THE netbook to have. Let's see, Apple shall christen it the iNetbook. Very unique name. Then the rest of the companies will declare their crappy netbooks the iNetbook killer.

[Izzy @ Mar 10th 2009 9:00AM]

Spoken like true Windoze fanboiz. You weren't going to buy it anyway so why bother saying anything negative? Its like those morons who write movie reviews for movies they haven't seen. If it ever comes out, we'll evaluate it then. One thing for sure, if it's a touch screen, it won't be $399 which seems to be the sweet spot for netbooks. Most likely it'll be $699 and price itself out of the market.


Written on my homebrew XP machine.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Mar 10th 2009 1:11PM]

Dear poster,

Thank you for your insightful comment. Your fellow engadget readers are intrigued by your thoughts and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. However, we request that you clarify your thoughts.

Did you mean:
A. Gee, this rumored product is lame because it will be overpriced
B. It is lame that Apple may be producing a netbook after Jobs himself had negative comments about the category
C. I am tired of engadget commenting on each and every Apple rumor
D. I am annoyed that engadget has posted about the same rumor two days in a row

[JohnWesleyHarding @ Mar 10th 2009 1:25PM]

You forgot the
e) all of the above

[Decoy @ Mar 10th 2009 7:45PM]

Hey guys, uh, we didn't like how you posted about the problems with our Macbook screens. We'd like you to run a rumour on, I don't know, some kind of Netbook. Keep that uglyness behind us.

Oh, and can you make up some kind of FUD about Win7 Starter being for netbooks? Ta.

[dandaman @ Mar 10th 2009 8:18PM]

@darkroom:

No, that was the macbook air. This one will also be underpowered and overpriced, in a different way - it will have the power of your average free cell phone, but will cost ~500

[[e-mail] @ Mar 15th 2009 12:17AM]

I actually have high hopes for this one. Even at $600-$700 Apple would make alot of money. People would say "A computer, from that company that makes iPods and iPhones, and its only $600", while it`s sitting next to a $1200 MacBook. Apple cultist and stupid people`s buying habits aside, I think it might actually be worth it if they can keep the price at about $600.

It would certainly have an Atom processor, but would probably run the new Ion platform. Let`s think back for a second. Apple and Nvidia, have a close relationship, Nvidia gave Apple Ion dev units before any one else, Nvidia said that Ion based netbook would probably ship spring or summer, only Ion products seen so far are nettops, and now this whole thing about Apple releasing a netbook in spring or summer. If they do I promise you it will have the ion platform.

People have hack OS X`s way onto netbooks already from what I`ve seen than results aren`t to bad, the Dell Mini seem to run it pretty well. With maybe Apple leading the way trying to hack their OS onto a netbook I think it could work.

[gareth @ Mar 10th 2009 5:46AM]

thank god its not 8 inch

[JamesR @ Mar 10th 2009 6:10AM]

Getting to the point where it's not a netbook anymore ...

[Foogooo @ Mar 10th 2009 6:56AM]

that's what she said!

[ragnarok @ Mar 10th 2009 2:46PM]

Doesn't matter what size it is. I don't think Apple could make a netbook that would keep up the industry's requirements for a netbook, namely the sub-$500 price tag. Nope, Apple would probably charge $800-900 for it.

[Rahim @ Mar 10th 2009 5:36PM]

I don't know. I am VERY skeptical about this. I wanna say that this netbook, might actually be the forthcoming of the new iphone. Like Nokia is trying to make a netbook/cell phone combo, maybe Apple is trying to beat the rest of the market in this race.

I find it highly improbable against this idea. Maybe its a tablet? Apple has NEVER been up for a Tablet or even a Netbook. They have always positioned their touch capable devices geared towards the Ipod Touch and the Iphone. Why would the companies values change so drastically. Is it because Steve Jobs does not hold the reigns of the company? Is it because the rest of the board is simply in it to make a quick buck now....if thats the case I have been hoping that Steve would feel better soon, but now I am hoping that soon comes faster than hoped.

[prnl.urdh @ Mar 16th 2009 11:30AM]

Is it because Steve Jobs does not hold the *reins* of the company?

Reigns is not the same as reins. Just saying...

[CH3BURASHKA @ Mar 10th 2009 5:47AM]

That design mock looks very ugly. Hopefully is this does come to fruition Apple doesn't copy this.

[GB @ Mar 10th 2009 5:51AM]

Really? I actually quite like the design. Looks kinda cute (and that's what netbooks are suppose to do, right?).

[paul Barton @ Mar 10th 2009 5:54AM]

Seriously, how does that look ugly. It doesn't. It totally fits Apple's aesthetic language.
And since when does Apple copy mock-ups?
jeez

[Taylor @ Mar 10th 2009 6:35AM]

For those playing at home, it's an Apple Wireless Keyboard with a Macbook screen tacked on top.

[MARC @ Mar 10th 2009 1:31PM]

looks good to me.

[Bufsabre @ Mar 10th 2009 5:51AM]

with apple its ganna be a netbook, or a touchscreen, youre not getting both

[Tohe @ Mar 10th 2009 6:02AM]

Completely agree. Besides I don't get that long trackpad.

[Faisal @ Mar 10th 2009 11:21AM]

May be netBook Pro :) have both !!

[Boards of Canada @ Mar 10th 2009 5:56AM]

Apple arrive late in the game again and all the fanboys will swear Apple invented the netbook.

I guess it will not be a standard netbook though because a touchscreen on a netbook is near useless. My bet is on some kind of umpc or tablet.

Best solution out there is Asus eee 1000HE with XP, Win7 or OS X. Just stop by os86 forums and see how its easy to install.

[ill trooper @ Mar 10th 2009 6:23AM]

'Canada: The irony of the way you're as gung-ho as the 'fanboys' you complain about is thick - you're exactly what you gripe about!

In my little life, Apple leapfrogged the netbook with the iPhone and Touch, at least they negated most desires I had to own one. I just don't want to carry anything on a daily basis other than my iphone, wallet, keys and small digital camera. Anything more, like a trip or on-site freelance job, I carry the laptop.

[Mark Anderson @ Mar 10th 2009 8:19AM]

And some of us don't even have to carry the small digital camera!

[kccboy2004 @ Mar 10th 2009 8:50AM]

@ill trooper,

I agree with your point of view; for you it would be next to impossible to hold a netbook and cut hair at the same time.

[Boards of Canada @ Mar 10th 2009 10:31AM]

Actually I wish I will be proved wrong and Apple bring us something different but I dont expect too much. Competition is already strong in this field and I dont think only OS X will make a big difference.

If Apple can make a winner for under 500$, maybe I will be tempted. (dont wanna pay more for a cheap Atom cpu.)

[Hamidxa @ Mar 10th 2009 10:51AM]

Leap frogged netbooks with an iPhone?

Do you live on the same planet as everyone else or have you been submerged 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Steve Mobs at Apple headquarters all this time?

How in the hell can a device that does not even offer copy/paste compete with a netbook?
How in the hell can a device that does not even offer a productivity suite as robust as SoftMaker Office (as on WM / PPC devices) replace a netbook?
How in the hell can a device that features a poor, lacking, and leaving much to be desired screen with a pathetic (by todays standards on Mobile phones and I need not even mention netbooks) 480x320 resolution screen at a mere 3.2 inches replace netbooks which typically offer 4 times the amount of pixels and 3 times the screen real estate?
How in the hell can a device that doesn't even have a physical keyboard which makes getting any real work done a pain in the ass compete with a netbook?
How in the hell can a device that does not even offer flash and limits your web experience in more ways than just one replace a netbook?

You are delusional but then again you are an apple fanboy, so I guess that renders this post of mine somewhat pointless as you will undoubtedly fail to comprehend the logic of it.

[Zak @ Mar 10th 2009 12:35PM]

Hamidxa, put down the haterade and start talking like a big boy instead of a heavily biased Apple-hating Microsoft ass-sniffer. You calling anybody else a fanboy is hypocrisy of the highest order, which is why it's so funny every time you say anything.

[JohnWesleyHarding @ Mar 10th 2009 1:07PM]

@Zak,

Although Hamidxa's post may have come off a bit too strong, yelling fanboy does not invalidate what was said. Although the iPhone is a pretty extraordinary device, that does not mean it is a netbook replacement. A netbook works as a (almost) fully functional computer, where users are able to do word documents and spreadsheets, along with other functionality that is not present on the iPhone (much like functions on the iPhone are not completely present on netbooks..well arguably). Therefore to say that the iPhone "leapfrogged" the netbook is not a completely correct statement, since they are different devices (the ability to check mail and internet is not a function that makes two devices equal).

Please do not just yell fanboy every time someone presents their opinion in a way that is not candy coated for your satisfaction. Although the response was abnoxious, possibly, it does not mean you have to be.

[chance @ Mar 10th 2009 1:26PM]

Who says a NETbook has to open Word documents?

The whole premise behind a NETbook is that its for browsing the web and email. That's why its called a NETbook, not a laptop. Anyone who uses it for productivity is too cheap to buy a real laptop.

[JohnWesleyHarding @ Mar 10th 2009 1:41PM]

Oh I can play the same stupid game: the iPHONE (look I emphasized phone) should only be used for PHONE calls.... because that is what PHONES were designed for.... anyone who uses it for the internet is too cheap to buy a laptop... wait that does not make sense. Why do you need to buy a "real" laptop if you do not need the power of one. The fact is, netbooks can be used for multiple low level computing functions (including programming), along with word processing, music editing, and the list goes on. In all honesty I do not know why so many people who just do word processing and listen to music pay $1,600 for a "real" laptop, when you can just get a netbook (also called a mini-notebook) for 1/5th of the price.

[kccboy2004 @ Mar 10th 2009 1:59PM]

THE iPHONE is a PHONE.

Even frickin Apple called an iPhone. Fanboys everywhere, don't argue with Apple.

"Worship no other God but me"

(Charlton Heston).

[Michael Scrip @ Mar 10th 2009 3:41PM]

> "Who says a NETbook has to open Word documents? The whole premise behind a NETbook is that its for browsing the web and email. That's why its called a NETbook, not a laptop. Anyone who uses it for productivity is too cheap to buy a real laptop."

Yes... it surfs the web. But then there's the BOOK part of the netBOOK. See? I can capitalize things too.

A netBOOK is a smaller version of a noteBOOK. You know... with a keyboard, big screen, you can plug a mouse into it, print from it, use a real OS, run programs.

Sure it's small, and inexpensive.. but it's a REAL computer... not a telephone. It runs real programs just like your desktop or notebook, not just fart apps.

I'm pretty sure the people who are buying netbooks are getting them as *additional* computers in their home.... not as their primary computer.

[mabhatter @ Mar 10th 2009 5:12PM]

The Macbook Air is Apple's "netbook" wannabe and they've updated it to Nvidia graphics because they're going for more CPU power not unreadability small screen sizes. Remember, Apple has some "sanity" to what they expect you to buy.. they've got you with a notebook and an iPhone or iPod. To have a "netbook" it would replace one of those devices in your pocket/bag. Most of Apple's sales are 13" Macbooks.. it's their #1 selling SKU.. they don't need to sell netbooks as stripped down anything.

Given the status on the new Mini they aren't going to sink their Macbook market with a "baby" Macbook Nano and make things cheaper. It's about iPod seson soon, so I'd see the iPod touch "growing up" into an MID the size of a thin book. That would let you have some iPhone apps and movies, they'd be going after Archos and iRiver with their flashy big screen players... and iPhone apps! Even if they used Atom, it would still be in the iPhone category, not the Macbook one, they have tried and true universal binary technology lying around to target multiple mobile CPUs and let iTunes push the right code to your device.

[poke @ Mar 12th 2009 8:56AM]

"Who says a NETbook has to open Word documents?"

"The whole premise behind a NETbook is that its for browsing the web and email. That's why its called a NETbook, not a laptop. Anyone who uses it for productivity is too cheap to buy a real laptop."

Most stupid comment I have read on Engadget all week. Bet you wish you didn't post that now dont you.

[b @ Mar 10th 2009 5:58AM]

"ladies and gentlemen, lo and behold, i give you the world's thinnest netbook..." says steve jobs

[lanosian @ Mar 10th 2009 6:54AM]

and behold... the thinnest CEO!

[xValentine @ Mar 10th 2009 7:13AM]

CEO-h no you didn't!

[kihaki @ Mar 10th 2009 10:11AM]

Haha sometimes engadget really is funny .. :D

[whowhatme @ Mar 10th 2009 12:48PM]

too soon, ian, too soon

[calvinki @ Mar 10th 2009 5:58AM]

I will get one.

[Dave Chappelle @ Mar 10th 2009 7:52AM]

chances of this being better than the Vaio P at a respectable price = 0. Apple tax these days is probably about the same as Sony tax.

[V Langs @ Mar 10th 2009 1:51PM]

Dave Chappelle?

who is this guy? the alter-ego of Paul Chappelle? a windows worshipping, sony loving, apple bashing, windows fanboy version of Paul Chappelle??

[eddy @ Mar 10th 2009 6:05AM]

Why would you want to pay $1,000+ for a netbook, though?

[MowDownJoe @ Mar 10th 2009 7:54AM]

Ask Sony. Except Sony doesn't want you calling it a NetBook, but rather an ultra-portable PC.

[Uzair @ Mar 10th 2009 6:05AM]

If this is actually going to be released, will we see a MacBook and MacBook Pro price drop?