Rumor: Apple Preparing a Netbook ?

[malware]

According to both DigiTimes and the Chinese Commercial Times, Taiwan-based Wintek will supply touch panels for a new Apple portable device, which brings forward again the question if Apple is really going to introduce a netbook any time soon? Although company chief Steve Jobs commented that Apple couldn't successfully build a suitable netbook for under the $1,000 price range, reports say exactly the opposite.

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.

, DigiTimes says. I personally can't see Apple selling a netbook somewhere near the $500 price tag, a price that's high but acceptable for a netbook now a days. Apple's badge has been a symbol for people with deep pockets for ages, all Apple PCs are overpriced we must admit and a single netbook (if true) will change nothing.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[BazookaJoe]

I see nothing unbelievable about this.

Apple know whatever they make they can charge whatever they like, and their hordes of seemingly brainwashed fans will pay whatever they charge simply BECAUSE it is an apple product.

Anyone with this kind of customer base would be foolish NOT to produce another overpriced gimmick just to pocket a few more million.

Honestly, I'm jealous - I WISH I could create such a .. "Milk - able" market... Hats off to Uncle Steve.

I personally cant wait for Apple to develop their clothing line further - I cant WAIT foir those HOT new iBoots - they are $600 plastic shiny shoes that have a lil' LCD display on the top, and you can download custom "iLaces" and display them on your feet for $25 / month.

 

[Celebriton]

The most expensive netbook may be, but the features inside. May be it's more like big screen iPhone + Laptop. Since Apple always makes revolution in their product, I think this netbook is not ordinary netbook. Worth to wait.

 

[Darknova]

The most expensive netbook may be, but the features inside. May be it's more like big screen iPhone + Laptop. Since Apple always makes revolution in their product, I think this netbook is not ordinary netbook. Worth to wait.

Big Screen iPhone? You mean it has most of the features of standard netbooks, but is missing some rather important features and costs far more than it ever should?

If Apple can't make a netbook for under $1,000 then maybe they need to look at their manufacturing processes, have you seen the Macbook Air? they could reduce the costs on that thing by 60% if they really tried.

Apple make some fantastic looking products, but they're ridiculously expensive and don't offer much over other similar products.

 

[Triprift]

I think they could reduce there cost on most of there systems not just the Macbook air.

Your right on the last bit great looking products tad overpriced though.

 

[lemonadesoda]

1./ Apple will not be happy about an information leak like this. I'm sure it is against the "spirit" of their NDA with OEM suppliers even if the information shared is a bit grey.

2./ Apple will be very successful with a "netbook" if they choose a format which is a size somewhere between their MacBook Air and a netbook. The Air is too big... for a machine that is supposed to be transportable... but the weight is fine. It's a ungle duckling in that sense. Very light and "cool" but too big for the executive or roadwarrior. Get that size down to a 11" format with thinner screen/keyboard bezel and they will have a winner.

3./ There is no need for apple to build a student/discount "netbook". They can just go for the "ultra-portable" format. Just like SONY and thier $3000 machines. There is a lot of scope between $500 and $3000 to find a price/solution that fits.

If they build an "Air light" 11" format with a high-res screen, e.g. 1280x1024 or better, then I am a buyer. I'm tired of these lower-spec machines with their silly 1024x600. You cant even get a proper spreadsheet on there after toolbars. And neither can you read a PDF without scrolling every 3 lines.

 

[Keiki]

Apple will do really well with a netbook, they address a huge part of the market they've been neglecting. Also, for users like me who haven't gotten into Macs, a cheap netbook would be a great gateway computer to try out their OS. I still prefer windows, but if they come out with a netbook with a full OSX that I can dual boot on, I can't say I won't be tempted to try it.

All they need to do is have the specs on par with the other netbooks and have it around the $400-$500 mark. But the price is a factor as Apple is famous for their Apple tax

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

Apple will try to get on the netbook trend, but the one prototype I have seen looks stupid. Touch screen, no actual keyboard, and a price only an Apple fan would love.

 

[Johnytxtc]

Yeah they are a rip off. I had an apple once it went rotten after a few weeks

 

[turtile]

Why does a netbook have to be cheap? Apple will have to charge $1000+.

 

[Johnytxtc]

I think the low price point was originally the idea so that pikey kids could afford them to help with their school work.

 

[mdm-adph]

Apple will try to get on the netbook trend, but the one prototype I have seen looks stupid. Touch screen, no actual keyboard, and a price only an Apple fan would love.

Get ready for it, because that's exactly what it's going to look like. Touchscreen keyboards are the way of the future, and Apple will have to have a "futuristic" netbook to maintain their image.

If Apple can't make a netbook for under $1,000 then maybe they need to look at their manufacturing processes, have you seen the Macbook Air? they could reduce the costs on that thing by 60% if they really tried.

This is the very true. Macbook Air's are vastly overpriced -- the reseller market on a Macbook Air has them going for less than $1000. This is on a laptop that originally cost $1800 in its cheapest configuration. It has the highest depreciation of any Macintosh I've ever seen.

 

[PCpraiser100]

Finally! I hope they start getting it under $2000 though, as their current family is extremely expensive for a stinking 8600GT chipset

 

[newtekie1]

The problem with this is that the OS is what makes buying an Apple computer worth the extra cost. Now, if they build a netbook, it is going to be severally under powered, probably to the point that OSX will not run on it. Meaning they will have to use a custom designed OS like the iPhones, still based on OSX, but stripped down to the basics. This eliminates everything that makes a Mac worth the extra money, so there really is no point in picking the more expensive Mac netbook over anyother more cheaper netbook, as both will probably offer the same features, but the Mac will likely cost at least double the price.

 

[btarunr]

I think the low price point was originally the idea so that pikey kids could afford them to help with their school work.

They can buy any netbook for that matter. Nothing productive in singling out pikey kids. That was borderline offensive.

 

[mdm-adph]

The problem with this is that the OS is what makes buying an Apple computer worth the extra cost. Now, if they build a netbook, it is going to be severally under powered, probably to the point that OSX will not run on it. Meaning they will have to use a custom designed OS like the iPhones, still based on OSX, but stripped down to the basics. This eliminates everything that makes a Mac worth the extra money, so there really is no point in picking the more expensive Mac netbook over anyother more cheaper netbook, as both will probably offer the same features, but the Mac will likely cost at least double the price.

You're joking, right? You honestly think most Mac users buy the computer for the OS?

Most buy for the trend -- to be part of the "club." Apple could released a polished turd with an Apple logo on it, and it would sell like hotcakes.

Stripped down OS or not, an Apple netbook is going to sell incredibly well.

 

[newtekie1]

You're joking, right? You honestly think most Mac users buy the computer for the OS?

Most buy for the trend -- to be part of the "club." Apple could released a polished turd with an Apple logo on it, and it would sell like hotcakes.

Stripped down OS or not, an Apple netbook is going to sell incredibly well.

I said nothing of most Mac users, I was speaking for myself and most enthusiasts here.

 

[mdm-adph]

I said nothing of most Mac users, I was speaking for myself and most enthusiasts here.

Well, next time make that clear.

Because I really don't think that Apple even thinks of the "enthusiast" segment for even a second when they're making a new design!

 

[timta2]

Thanks Newtekie1, you are absolutely right. Not all of us are "Kids who buy Macs to be trendy". Some of us are older adults who buy Macs because we want to use a OS that doesn't have the drawbacks that a Windows or Linux system does. Some of us spent enough time in Mac Vs. PC flamewars back in the 80's to realize that it is all so much of a waste of time. You should buy what you want because you want it and you shouldn't bash others who choose something else. I'm really not happy that there seems to be so much Apple bashing on TPU. I thought this was a place of intelligent discussion not ignorant and angry bias. I guess I was wrong. I mean look at the opinion that got injected into the news headline...

" I personally can't see Apple selling a netbook somewhere near the $500 price tag, a price that's high but acceptable for a netbook now a days. Apple's badge has been a symbol for people with deep pockets for ages, all Apple PCs are overpriced we must admit and a single netbook (if true) will change nothing."

I mean if that kind of lack of integrity is coming from the top I guess that says a lot about TPU. I don't see one other headline on the front page that has additional opinion added to it.

 

[DrPepper]

Thanks Newtekie1, you are absolutely right. Not all of us are "Kids who buy Macs to be trendy". Some of us are older adults who buy Macs because we want to use a OS that doesn't have the drawbacks that a Windows or Linux system does. Some of us spent enough time in Mac Vs. PC flamewars back in the 80's to realize that it is all so much of a waste of time. You should buy what you want because you want it and you shouldn't bash others who choose something else. I'm really not happy that there seems to be so much Apple bashing on TPU. I thought this was a place of intelligent discussion not ignorant and angry bias. I guess I was wrong. I mean look at the opinion that got injected into the news headline...

" I personally can't see Apple selling a netbook somewhere near the $500 price tag, a price that's high but acceptable for a netbook now a days. Apple's badge has been a symbol for people with deep pockets for ages, all Apple PCs are overpriced we must admit and a single netbook (if true) will change nothing."

I mean if that kind of lack of integrity is coming from the top I guess that says a lot about TPU. I don't see one other headline on the front page that has additional opinion added to it.

Unfortunately though its true. Apple doesn't cater to the budget segment or enthusiast. Although I agree opinions should be left for the discussion and not in the original headline.