Comments on: Apple touch-screen Netbook rumors heat up

Several blogs picked up on a report by DigiTimes that cites a Chinese-language Commercial Times article saying Apple is allegedly prepping a new touch-screen Netbook for a release in Q3 of this year. And now Dow Jones News Services has further updates on

[lickmoreshoes]

It turns out that MS is the smarter company by not wasting there money on a computers with touch screen keyboards. hp made the the first touchscreen desktop computer and it even has a full separate keyboard.

[myles taylor]

I love how people are criticizing Apple for something they aren't even making.

[metalguns14]

5 Months ago, I tried to patent and idea I had for a product that would replace both mouse and keyboard. I went through all the details, came up with drawings of it and the idea was shutdown. I was explained that Apple Inc. already had my product in production. They explained that the prodcut was something like an Ipod Touch just bigger. My idea was shutdown due to the fact that Apple had a product already in production, I was not told when it would be available. Point is that Apple will release a product that will soon replace both mouse and keyboard. First product could be the Apple Netbook.

[msjonker]

I fail to see how dropping the input device into the viewing area would be more of a benefit than a hindrance for any real work. There's a reason those HP TouchSmart PCs only show people selecting music or viewing photos, because its a pain in the ass to use a screen based keyboard and/or pointing device to do anything meaningful.

For this reason, I think this is all rumor.

[big.mouth]

A steno-pad-sized tablet no keyboard would be brilliant. you'll be able to take the internet with you to the john. It would be the end of Kindle -- that's for sure. I'm frankly shocked how short-sighted some of you naysayers are. The world does not need another crappy netbook with a cramped keyboard. I'm all over this if Apple has the balls to release it.

[hutchitl]

I agree, I would love to see this be the ultimate handheld media experience aimed purely at the consumer and not those only interested in a cheap apple netbook.

[goosedude]

Welcome to 2007 apple..........

Remember when Apple was an innovator rather than a follower...........The Silver iTunes focused Apple is a pale reflection of the Rainbow APPLE.

NOw that we know the netbooks are getting super thin and the 1st netvertibles are coming......an Apple version of a netbook just elicits a big YAWN from me.....

You do have to wonder how much they will jack the stylistos for a netbook.......look at the mac Air.....no way will they charge 200-400$ for it. LOL.

[aka_tripleB]

That thing is ugly!

[Tumbrick_IT]

just bring the price down on the MacBook Air !! Please!!!

[mgheff]

and add a superdrive. and more ports. Those are the only things that tick me off.

[kataclipse]

I find it interesting how everyone wants touchscreen interfaces nowadays. They're really cool, if you use them at night or in a dark room. Touchscreen only interfaces are not practical for daylight activities. How many screens are powerful enough to be easily read in bright daylight? And have you guys thought about how much battery touchscreens eat?

[AppleSuxLeo]

I can`t wait ! No ports , puny RAM , puny HDD at four times the price of a commodity netbook. Pass !
Acer FTW !

[paulimusmaximus]

Considering the iPod Touch already costs as much as cheap netbooks, this thing is probably gonna be close to $1000.

[lagarez]

been waiting for these for years !!!

hopefully It will have mac os normal, so we can install normal apps

great !!!!!

[mgheff]

I would like to see apple combine the netbook and tablet computer ideas, if they must have a touch screen. As long as the cost isn't over $600. I would love a computer like that, though.

[t0ny1957]

I would be absolutely against Apple coming out with another "me too" clam-shell netbook... Aren't there enough already? What I want is exactly what;s rumored: a touch-screen device that's essentially FLAT and that operates as transparently as my iPod Touch, but that would run a full suite of regular apps, whether Mac or Windows under emulation. I look to Apple for INNOVATION, not industry clones. It wouldn't even need to have a 10" screen; 4X the size of the Touch would be fine, but it appears that theres is a "sweet spot" for 10" screen and Apple is most likely capitalizing on that.

Tony

[knightsbridge1]

Cant wait to get one of these things.

[CneMaX]

The Apple iTablet or MacTouch must have the full Mac OS X inside (not just the limited OS X). That is absolutely essential to run the full blown Office and iWork there. Not to work on it, but to use it for full blown Keynote and PowerPoint presentations via VGA-out port, Firewire port for repairs via Target Disk Mode, Ethernet port and at least two USB2 ports.

Because even the MacBook Air is too heavy and large. It must be 400 g or less (the lighter and smaller, the better), like the OQO model 2+

www.oqo.com

but like this with a touch screen:

Next Apple moves will be Books and Games?
http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/next-apple-moves-will-be-books-and-games

It will set new standards on all the corporate, academic and domestic markets. A new Halo effect will bring now millions to the Mac. Think about it also as the ultimate and portable development tool.

[steve499]

I love the Microsoft Surface. I bought mine after I used one at Disneyland, and I take it wherever i go. They won't let me use it on commercial flights, though, even in First Class. That's so unfair.

Apple shouldn't even bother to try to compete. They'd charge way more, like they always do. Soon the prices of the Surface will come down by half, and we'll all be carrying one around.

[Fred_Mulligan]

Stop calling the iPod touch an iTouch. Stop it.

[Angmarr]

probably not a bad idea if they have any hopes of competing against Microsoft!

[frraaanz]

With Asus releasing touchscreen netbooks (Eee PC T91 and T101), no way should Apple release a netbook without touch screen., especially if it still decides to charge a slightly higher price for it.