Comments on: Rumor redux: Apple Netbook coming in October?

After a report by the Mandarin-language publication Chinese Times, rumors accelerate about the potential release of an Apple Netbook this fall.

[Sentax]

Sounds typical, Apple being insistent that they are NOT making net books, but the rumors are quite strong on this.

But if they make a large screen net book with no physical keyboard, it'll just be a over sized ipod/iphone with that crappy virtual keyboard. You won't see me hunting and pecking with a 10" screen in my hand, I personally think that would look completely stupid. People will hold it like a clipboard with the arm cradle. Let alone the ergonomics are completely out the door at this point.

Only time will tell.

[DOGLLAMA]

If you are hunting and pecking with a 10" screen, I would suggest you get some glasses.

[koviea]

I imagine that add-on keyboards with fold-out stands will come out, making this a moot point, and allowing such a netbook to function as either a tablet or regular laptop. I see this as a plus, not minus.

[SteveW928]

I agree, with a Bluetooth keyboard option, it would be pretty sweet. It could still be ultra-portable, but more like a laptop than an iPhone or iPod Touch. It could be used to read books like a Kindle. It would be the perfect compliment to a more powerful desktop system at home for heavier users (allowing screen sharing when away).

Also, don't immediately throw out the capability of Apple's predictive technology with the virtual keyboard. No, it won't replace a real keyboard for serious typists, but might be fine for the typical user as they are on the go and just doing light work/play. A friend of mine swears you can type faster on an iPhone, for example, than on any of the little keyboards on the Blackberry, etc.

If they really do bring out something like this with the power to run full OSX (even if slowly, like the Atom processor or something similar) but gives descent battery life... I'll buy one! It will replace my laptop and then I'll get a desktop for the more power-hungry stuff I do... like 3D animation, video encoding, etc. and overall, I'll have a more powerful combination.

[J5Chicago]

Part of the appeal of a netbook is that you can toss it around and travel comfortably with it. Why would anyone spend over $500 on something that could easily break and has very few inputs?

That said, IF (that's a big if) Apple releases a netbook, or whatever they would call it, it would have to be a game changer on the level of the iPod or the iPhone. Apple does have a track record of taking a piece of equipment or an idea that's been out there for years and making a killing on it.

I'm not holding my breath and I'm definitely not buying a first generation Apple product as the 2nd and 3rd gen products are where it's at.

[lil-yankee]

dont you have an iphone yet?

[CliveOwns]

IT doesn't have to be revolutionary or anything.IT has been shown that Apple Adicts wil buy anything as long as you slap an Apple ogo on it. That is why you see these morons saying Ill buy it ,without knowing cost ,size,specs,oranything else.All it has to have is the APPLE LOGO. When there is a world full of sheep,the herder does not have much to do but shovel **** out to them and they will eat it. =)

[tojoe_dotmac]

I trying to figure out what this product would do that isn't covered by my iPhone, especially with the iPhone becoming voice enabled. I don't want to carry a laptop. I could provide a much better surf experience. But, do I really need to surf no matter where I am? Do I really want to carry anything more than my Swiss Army iPhone. $800 wouldn't be the bottom line. This thing would still need its own data plan, $1,000. Typing on my 19th MAC since 1984, and with 3 iPhones I'm not seeing a compelling reason for this product. Would it be cool, neat, and fun? Sure.

Another question that comes to mind is, how many iPhone owners have a netbook? If there is a light to be seen, enlighten me.

[tojoe_dotmac]

Please excuse my typos: I should be I'm, and I should be It.

Thanks

[Slick1of2]

Well, I would believe it is tough to type out essays and to do lots of research on an iPhone. Netbooks are designed to be easy travel mates that allow people to do actual work. It makes complete sense, especially for a student in college because a big heavy notebook is the last thing we want to be carrying around with the rest of our ten twenty pound books for one class. Also, the prices for netbooks are much cheaper than a notebook. All in all, a netbook is very convenient, but I have three bones to pick with 'em. The keyboards are too cramped, the screen's are slightly too small for me, and they are severely underpowered. You only get 1GB of RAM and an Atom Processor. For me, I need a little more power. My major does not require a whole lot of computing power (Ancient History), but I like to play around with Photoshop and I have plans to develop a website for Ancient History. A netbook would not be able to handle the kinds of programs I would like to run. This is why I went with a 13in. Sony Vaio.

But for some these things are great. My best friend has an HP Netbook and loves it. All he does with it is write notes, surf the web, and watch videos. And that's basically all they are good for, but they have a little more convenience that an iPhone.

[SteveW928]

Big thing would be the screen size, and hopefully full OSX. I'd want it to be a laptop replacement type of unit more than a big iPhone. The cool thing would be that the keyboard would be much more useable at that size without the need for an external keyboard... but an external should certainly be an option (hopefully they would make a nice, rugged, small one to match (but with full sized keys if possible... I really hate smaller keyboards, as they mess you up for using any other computer then... biggest flaw with every netbook I've seen so far).

[anhzero]

Excellent point!

Netbook and iPhone do not go together. However, I would love to have a 10' tablet (iPhone like design) to replace my iPhone AND laptop. I would prefer my tablet to be able to run Snow Leopard and other apps with an Intel processor. I would be glad to pay $800 for something weight around 2 lbs that able to do all things a macbook can do.

I am a student. I use iLife 09, Microsoft Office 2008, Adobe CS4 Master, and chat with family on Skype. If a netbook less than 2lbs and can do all those with intel cpu and 64bit OS. $800 is well worth it.

[CliveOwns]

OMG you are the perfect target for this though. 19 mac's in 25 years? LOL they definitely have made a killing off of you. Talk about a Zealot. =D

[quixy]

I have an iPod touch and a netbook, and both are perfect for travelling with - as I am doing right now. The Touch I can always carry around with me for entertainment or emailing (I use it like a PDA sometimes), while the Eee is good for any photographic tasks, communication, and storage. I think having an iPhone in lieu of the Touch woud be even more usefull in such circumstances, except I balk at the high fees that would be involved for it.

[Daniel-Castaneda]

Wow...i have been wanting to get a netbook, for some time now...and yeah i think i will wait till the end of the year to see if its available...I cant wait...

[Slick1of2]

Also, one more thing. Instead of a netbook, I would really like to see Apple make an eReader. I have never purchased any Apple product, but if they make an eReader, I just might buy that (in fact, I might buy three) because these things are really convenient for school. But I will only get the eReader when they actually get a monster load of textbook selections. Amazon is still severely lacking in that department. I probably would already have a Kindle if it were not for the small selections of textbooks. Out of my three years of college, I have only found one book that I was required to have for a class (The Founding Brothers), and that wasn't a textbook, it was more of a story account of the early United States.

[ivassilis]

I do expect a sort of netbook-like device from Apple this year and the hardware-releasing October looks a reasonable choice. I do have a MacBook Pro and an iPhone that pretty much cover *almost* all my needs.
Still, I think there's room (for those willing to pay the price) for an extra device, that I would use mainly as e-reader, since I do a lot of reading every day and I mostly read medical papers and ebooks in pdf format that are too small for iPhone and too much for my MBP to carry always with me... So, it's probably a yes for me- Apple tablet has at least 1 potential customer ;)

PS: I really feel they should go with a hardware keyboard on this one. It should be a sliding, comfortable and discreet keyboard. It's up to them to make it right...

[SteveW928]

I think I'd much rather see it without the keyboard, but be able to use USB or BT ones. The virtual keyboard could be used for quick things... like when you need to add an appointment to your calendar, or take a quick note, or surf, etc. Then you could use a good actual keyboard with it in class, home, library, etc. That way you'd have the convenience of the small size and quick accessibility of a netbook/tablet, but with a real, normal sized keyboard when you need to do serious work. Trying to make a combination of the two is why I think crurrent netbooks fail. Who wants to use a scale sized keyboard for any serious typing.

[ivassilis]

Actually, I think that a separate hardware keyboard is not an option for a netbook. Say, you take it in a trip with you and you have to carry another piece of hardware around, just in case you wanna do some serious work/surf/email? Not very probable... No, I really think they'll go either with another form of virtual keyboard (risky, but somewhat safe choice or a kind of extremely elegant sliding keyboard (have you noticed how thin the Apple Wireless keyboard is??).

Also, I believe the new tablet-like device will be named MacBook, since Apple has actually upgraded most of their laptops to the Pro onomatology...

PS: Am I the only one thinking all this information about the upcoming tablet may be "leaked", so Apple can measure customers' reaction about the product and the price?? Their marketing guys are simply great! ;)

[ivassilis]

Personal bet: There won't be any kind of bond between the new "MacBook" or "iBook" and the cellular industry- Apple has already enough troubles dealing with heaps of them on a global scale with iphone and there's no way they want to go deeper. WiFi and (maybe) iPhone tethering will do...

[SteveW928]

@ ivassilis -

Problem is that a serious keyboard won't fit. You either end up with a laptop, a bulkier netbook with bad keyboard, or the virtual keyboard w/ external option. I would pick the latter. A slide-out keyboard would just mean you need a real keyboard for serious typing anyway... and then the unit gets more klunky and bulky.

[b_kinney]

I was looking at the Kindle DX yesterday...what stopped me from going any further was the thought that Apple will put out it's "iPod Touch on steroids" soon and combined with the Kindle software from the App Store, voila! The biggest driver for my tech purchases is what ONE machine will do everything that I need it to do - phone, music, information, web access, gaming, e-reader, etc. This would be it (if, of course, it's true!).

[ZacharyTG]

Wow, this is an amazing device. I cannot wait to purchase it, ( My netbook, iMac and my iPod Touch that would love a new friend)

[Frank Owen--2008]

You do realize this "amazing device" is pure fantasy, don't you?

[lazycat202]

how many times do you have to touch the screen when doing a report, sending en email, or chatting with friends? amazing!!

[WordStar2000]

Hmmmm....is this why the "ibook" moniker became "macbook" and we're getting ready to see the resurrection of the brand name that would be appropriate as an e-book reader (as well as mini computer)?

[shamanskyh]

Interesting idea.... I've also heard speculation about what will become of the "MacBook" line now that most of Apple's notebooks are actually "MacBook Pros"

[ivassilis]

If a tablet device proves to be true, I will finally excuse my decision to go with the MBP (late 2008) instead of a MB Air. The new tablet will fill the gap!

[CliveOwns]

OMG this is the best thing ever to go about.IT does everything I need in one small carbon footprint. Of course it wil weigh less then 2 pounds but the screen will virtually expand up to 26" with the special I-glasses. Shoot it is even going to have strobe lights and a personal alarm system with an app that will call 911 if it is stolen.Yes we have an app for that. I am willing to pay way over $800. Jobs make it so!!!

[molotov]

Apple will add a revolutionary spin on their first netbook; it will come exclusively with a 2 year contract with AT&T. The exclusive contract for iPhone with AT&T runs out in 2010. AT&T has used the same terms they had for the iPhone on the new Apple netbook. This netbook will be subsidized of course, but being that you will be forced into a contract; you will end up paying the Apple price in the end. Viola

[pithenumber]

there are a few netbooks with 2 yr contracts and data plans out there already

[SteveW928]

Why would a netbook need a data plan? You just use WiFi, just like a laptop.

[molotov]

SteveW928 - wake up! in the world of constant connectivity of tomorrow - you cannot be connected part of the time - you Must be connected all of the time, so says Google, if you care that is. Apple supports Googles cloud computing, probably to spite Microsoft, but also probably because they are not in server business themselves.

[SteveW928]

@ molotov -

Well, I could add it if I needed that. My MacBook Pro doesn't have a data plan. This isn't a big smart-phone, it is a really small laptop.

[earpopper]

@ molotov

They aren't in the server business... yet. They just purchased and put aside a huge parcel of land in N.C. (I think) which could be a precursor to their own suite of cloud apps that could be used to support hardware of this type in the upcoming years.

[cyclonica1980]

As stated above, I simply cannot see this being too useful other than maybe for mobile media. Typing reports, and other important data is probably going to be a nightmare. But like I said for Music and videos, if the battery life is excellent, this will be a traveler's best friend, that or maybe saving a couple hundred bucks for a portable dvd player, or an Archos.

[Amory_Blaine]

I work for Apple and this has been a rumor that I have been following pretty close.

The reason why I want one so bad is because it would be about the size of a piece of paper. I want something that is touch screen that I can play with when I am on the couch or when I am somewhere and want to read a book. I'm sure I am going to have about a million pdf files on there and it will be the most convenient way to read read them.

[shycelticwitch]

Apple will follow through on this, and it will set the rest of the computer world back on its heels. I predict it will be another market changer like the iPhone. Everyone else will be left scratching their heads and asking "how did they keep that a secret?" Because you KNOW that Apple is not going to stop at just "netbook". The world has been screaming for a less expensive Mac. Looks like they are going to get their wish.

[Vegaman_Dan]

I predict they will call it.... the Newton!


Seriously, even Jobs dismissed this one as a rumor and that Apple had no intent on entering the netbook market. Are you now calling Steve Jobs a liar?

[Perry_Clease]

"Seriously, even Jobs dismissed this one as a rumor and that Apple had no intent on entering the netbook market. Are you now calling Steve Jobs a liar?"

The only people calling it a netbook are the people outside of Apple. It will have a different name and be more than just a cheap device for typing notes, surfing the web or sending emails. As the not so shy Witch says, it will leave the current netbooks in the dust

[SteveW928]

I'm pretty sure Apple also said it wasn't going to make a phone/pda type device....

I agree... they won't consider it to be a netbook in the way current netbooks are, because it won't be. It may well just be a rumor, but I'm hoping it is not, and that they really do it right. I've looked at current netbooks, but they all have issues, esp. the keyboards. With this, you would get the virtual keyboard for when on the go, but still be able to use a real keyboard when doing serious typing. Sure, you could do that with most netbooks as well, but then you get the added bulk of the junk keyboards they include (which usually impacts the screen size).

[ivassilis]

However, we can imagine the possibility Apple releasing a (more or less) classic netbook and calling it a revolutionary new device- and almost everyone will buy it- certainly me! ;)

[Random_Walk]

It would be hella cool (especially if the concept art up there would become a good representation of it), but I'm not holding my breath any... and I don't much feel like toting glass-cleaner wipes everywhere I go with it ;)

[Vegaman_Dan]

The form factor is the killer here. Too small to be a usable laptop with physical keyboard and too big to be portable enough to put in your pocket like an iPhone or Touch.

Then there is the cost-if this costs $800, it would have to have an impact on the low end laptop sales- either gutting them or making people skip this device entirely to go to a machine that is also easy to transport and has all the factors this device lacks for a small amount more.

I don't Apple would do it. The market it too small for them to enter in with a device that is 2-3X higher than the rest of the market for similar features. It is very much a niche area. But with that said, Apple has been and continues to be a niche producer, so who really knows?

[Random_Walk]

"a device that is 2-3X higher than the rest of the market for similar features."

So you can point us to a netbook/notebook right now, in the "2-3x" cheaper range, than the device depicted above, complete with a massive touch-screen like that one?

Where?

[streamline35]

Like other people have said, it would be a nice media/internet device, but without a physical keyboard, it would be completely useless for taking notes, emails, and anything else that requires alot of typing. If these rumors are true, I'll also be curious to see if they use an atom processor, or something a bit faster - which at $800, would make it at least somewhat competitive with other systems like that. But I would never buy something for $800 with only an atom processor - $400ish is my limit for something that slow (and I do infact have a netbook which I love for its mobility - my desktop can handle anything else)

[Sardonik]

$800? What a ripoff, you could buy a mid-teir prebuilt gaming computer for that much. Or build your own pro-teir, of course.

[Perry_Clease]

Would that fit in a messenger bag?

[Random_Walk]

...or in carry-on?

[Sardonik]

Well if you want portability you can get a full feature dell laptop for half that price, this whole netbook craze is stupid, people are paying more for less.

[pithenumber]

@Perry and Random
mATX
you can find specially designed mATX cases for the purposes of lan parties
most of them fit in a backpack or large messenger bag pretty well

that said, Sardonik, we are talking ultraportable laptops here, not desktops. how much battery life would your gaming rig get? I guess 5 minutes on a good UPS. and I would not want to put 50 pounds of gaming computer on my lap either.

[streamline35]

Paying $300-$400 for a netbook is not stupid - for something that mobile that I can take notes for class on, surf the web on, answer email, and do other basic tasks, it is absolutely worth it. I have a $1100 desktop (that I built myself) at home that can handle anything I need for power for (usually games). Or for $1500, I could've gotten a pretty nice 13 inch laptop, that still wouldn't be nearly as mobile as my netbook, or nearly as powerful as my desktop.

All that being said however, paying $800 for a netbook is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The broad appeal of netbooks is cost and portability. Take out the price advantage, and this netbook would just pretty much just be competing with faster "ultra-portable" notebooks (thin 13 type laptops). Anyone who was looking for a cheap mobile laptop would never venture near the $800 range. At that price (with an atom processor), it will be more of a fancy toy for those who can splurge, like the air.

[sharmajunior]

That screen is huge compared to the body and how many pieces will it break into when dropped?

but i like it....Looks like a really big iPhone

[LLIB_SETAG]

News Article Redux?

"Source: Gizmodo via MacRumors via China Times (original article in Mandarin) " now being RE-RE-RE-REPORTED by CNET????

Old news already read this before...
This is not news CNET, just a rehash...
Do your homework & do your job or stay home!

[dcarnoy]

It was a new story that affirmed the old rumors. That's it.

[InuHanyou1701]

I'm not an Apple fan but this is something I would check out if it were actually true and the touch screen worked well. I could use a good netbook and I've been wanting to try an Apple product to see whether they actually have improved from the crap they used to dominate the market with (I do prefer Windows but that doesn't mean I won't give the competition a chance. I love Apple's computer design but their OS has always left a lot to be desired for me) Since I wouldn't be using it for gaming, and just to surf the web and whatnot, I anxiously look forward to this. Good luck Apple.