When will "we are watching this space very closely" turn into "here's our super thin touch-based NetBook"? Digitimes says that Quanta computer will be making a netbook product for Apple and shipping it in Q3, this year. It goes on to say that these Netbooks will have touch panels.
Taiwan-based Wintek will supply touch panels for Apple's new netbook, and shipments will start in the third quarter this year, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report. Wintek revealed that it is currently working with Apple to develop some new products, but it said it does not know what applications the new products are for. Wintek added that no shipment schedule has been worked out yet, but shipments are likely to begin in the second half of the year. Quanta Computer will be the maker of Apple's new netbook, the Commerical Times report said.
We've said in the past that we think that these products won't be based on Intel chips but rather on ARM Cortex-based processors.
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If this ever happens, get
If this ever happens, get ready for an $800 netbook.
As far as it is a piece of
As far as it is a piece of cool gadget, price is not an issue.
it will probable be more like
it will probable be more like $1,800
Don't think it will happen
I can't see this being true. People keep talking about Apple needs a netbook, Apple needs a tablet. They don't realize that Apple already has one. It's called the iPhone. It fits into your pocket and does virtually everything a Netbook does.
One day the lines between laptop/netbook will blur as the only reason people like netbooks is because they are portable and cheap. They are really made to do e-mail, surf the web, throw a couple pictures and music on it and maybe some basic word processing. iphone does that all really well, except for maybe the word processing.
If you have a computer at home weather it be a laptop or desktop, and you own an iPhone, what need is there for a "Netbook"
It does not do "copy and
It does not do "copy and paste", it could not send or receive MMS.
I'm with you on the
I'm with you on the copy/paste, but what on earth does MMS have to do with it?
It does not do "copy and
It does not do "copy and paste", it could not send or receive MMS.
The iphone is NOT a netbook
The iphone is NOT a netbook replacement! as long as it is attached to the phone plan & contract, it is NOT a viable replacement. Nor is it ANYwhere near comparable to a 7"/8" display of REAL netbooks...including the keyboard. Even if the netbook keyboards are a bit cramped, it is MUCH easier to type with than on a thumb-only touch screen of the iphone.
I dig the iphone & all, but I don't agree with this statement at all.
if so, then not remotely like this mockup
This mockup has some strange features:
- no Apple logo or text underneath the screen (you know, like "MacBook" or something)
- what is that touchstrip thing? A horizontal scrollbar?
it's not a real 'mockup'
this is merely the screen of a macbook with the short keyboard (maybe the bluetooth model) of the iMacs...it's not a serious mockup, it is obviously a quickly-thrown-together image..
You've been touting this Arm
You've been touting this Arm based tablet for a while, looks like the pieces are starting to fall into place.
I doubt Apple would let this
I doubt Apple would let this slip out so obviously.
A Mac Netbook, or a bigger,
A Mac Netbook, or a bigger, more capable iPod Touch? Or are they one and the same? Hardware-wise, this Qanta/Wintek development supports either possibility.
Personally, I think they're more likely to focus on growing the iPhone/iPod Touch platform after putting so much work into it, then to introduce a netbook just because everyone else is. I also think a bigger, more capable iPod Touch, if executed properly, has the potential to fill the Netbook niche on the Mac side.
:D
well, they said that Apple had ordered touch screens right? maybe either a tablet or even a netbook without a trackpad (more room for keyboard speakers etc). maybe a touch screen with capabilities of an iPhone or iPod touch? Apple also reduced the size of their keyboards (maybe not laptop keyboards, but still) maybe Apple might just be looking into this after all. but even with the possibility, do you think that Apple will create something that will undermine the MacBook Air? maybe they might just remodel it (because of the hindge problems and all) and call their new (possible?) netbook the next MacBook Air?
all just possibilities and theories, but it's interesting to watch. guess we'll just have to wait like always eh Stevo?
Mac User
"Once you go Mac, you'll never go back"
MacBook Pro (early 2008)
2.4ghz, 4g RAM, Leopard 10.5.6
I think the closest that
I think the closest that Apple will come to a netbook is the Macbook Air form factor. Sure it warranted a high price for the first two years because of all the engineering work and the expense of the small form factor hardware, but I think the third revision of the MBA should be able to drop a lot of that expense.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/08/intels-upcoming-mobile-chips-to-squee...
I think Apple's 'netbook' will be an $899 Macbook Air.
As for a tablet, that would probably be a premium product at first, just like the MBA was.
I think some people keep
I think some people keep missing the point. The iPhone/iTouch are NOT the same as a netbook. Can you install Photoshop or BBEdit on an iPhone? I don't think so. Even worse... can you copy/paste on the iPhone? NO! See... some of us want the capability of a REAL laptop but in a smaller form factor. Trust me, I have an iPod Touch and it aint no laptop. Not even close.
Can you install Photoshop on
Can you install Photoshop on a netbook?
Yes
I installed Photoshop on my Acer One OSX NetBook and it runs well with 1.5GB RAM - so to answer your (hopefully rhetorical question) YES. It is a bit slow but then again you are not going to do any serious editing on a NetBook anyway.
D
I'm impressed. Adobe must
I'm impressed. Adobe must have really slimmed down recently. :D
Sorry, but iPhone is not even
Sorry, but iPhone is not even close to a netbook. Without copy and paste and with such a tiny screen, it is unusable for the sorts of tasks most people use netbooks for. Even the most basic usable word processor is bordering on impossible to develop for it. And having no physical keyboard is a show-stopper for the netbook crowd....
The MacBook air is also not even close to a netbook. With its MacBook-sized footprint, it doesn't have nearly the portability desired.
If/when Apple builds a netbook, I hope it isn't ARM-based. As much as I love ARM as an architecture, an ARM-based device would probably not run Rosetta, which would make it significantly less useful as an additional device for existing Mac users, IMHO.
Why would you want to buy
Why would you want to buy such an tweener product like a net book. Big enough that it is still a pain in the but to take with you, and not powerful enough to run big programs like photoshop well.
The iPhone fills the gap enough for most people have to whip out their laptop.
Seriously?
Have you USED a netbook? I HATE typing e-mails (even short e-mails) on the iPhone. It SUCKS with a capitol SUCK for all but basic typing. It has a GREAT browser and I LOVE surfing the web on it while mobile but thanks to PDAnet I always switch to my Acer One netbook as it is much easier to type on and it DOES run PhotoShop well enough for basic editing as I have it installed on my Acer. It is not designed as a notebook replacement but, as you so elliquently called it, a 'tweener product for when the iPhone is just to small and limited yet a 13" or my 15" MBP is just a bit large. I bring the Acer OSX netbook when on vacation because I would be upset if the MBP was stolen or broken while traveling but I would not feel that bad if a $300 netbook was broken.
I also have younger children where the new MB or MBP are out of the question to use and the G4 eMac is not prtable for homework while at the coffee shop so the netbook is a GREAT option. I am not sure why people get so upset about the idea of a netbook. If it is not your cup of tea then pass it over. I would like to own an actual Apple netbook with touch screen (provided it is at LEAST 9" and hopefully 10" scren) versus my hacked Acer netbook.
With the new Ion platform and faster N280 Atom chip this would make for a very capable platform. If it goes the way of ARM (which I seriously doubt as it is not capable enough) I might give it a second thought.
D
Do you really think that
Do you really think that there will be a physical key board?
ugh
no i know for a fact the macbook touch will be in 3 models 13.4 inch and 15 and 17 inch and will have no keyboard jus the screen and it will bout and inch thick wit 4 usb 2 fire wire and a slot load drive and multi card reader and hdmi port and will come in black gloss with the same tempered glass they use now for the screen or a glossy white
I don't want an Apple Netbook - I want a small MBP!
May I rain on this parade? Bottom line, what Mac fans really want is not an Apple version of a small, underpowered notebook. They want a small MacBook Pro - and Apple can easily produce one. It appears they just won't.
I'm not looking to skimp on price, I would not hesitate paying $2K for a fully functional 10.1" MBP. So there; Apple doesn't have to "compromise" on quality.
Mockup picture
The picture you posted looks pretty cool, would immediatley buy one ;-))
Expect it to cost about 700 bucks.
ahhh, maybe
there is a chance that apple will make a net book but that's not apple's style. apple is known for making revolutionary new products no-ones ever thought about before, that's why there great. if they were to make a net book they would have to give it something extraordinary that just makes it great. that would be apple!