It’s back! The rumor about the Apple netbook, or Apple touch screen tablet, or huge iPhone, or…you get the picture. This rumor has had many forms, but they all point to one thing, that Apple is apparently planning on releasing a netbook of sorts during Q3 2009.
This time, the rumor originates from Commercial Times and was relayed by DigiTimes (via Gizmodo). They say that Wintek, a Taiwan based company, will supply touch displays for this mythical device. Wintek claims they are working with Apple on some new product, but they don’t know what it is or what it’s for. The rumor goes on to identify Quanta as the makers of the device we all want to be real.
Can it be true? Not sure really, but a lot of information has been slipping between the fingers of Apple as of late. We knew about the Mac Mini ahead of time, complete with pictures, so what’s to say Apple isn’t losing grip on their secrecy? Plus, the Commercial Times busted the details on the original iPhone. But that doesn’t mean both of these rumor sources have spotless records; far from it. Still, this is about the right time for Apple to break into the netbook market. They don’t usually pioneer a market; they like to wait it out and then destroy everyone else like they did with the iPod and iPhone.
So what does an Apple touch screen netbook need to have for you to buy it? An Apple logo? A keyboard? I’m interested to read what you guys want to see in an Apple tablet.
[Update: Now the Dow Jones Newswire is reporting on this rumor as well. They add that their source, who is apparently very close to the situation, says the screen of this device is planned to be 9.7 or 10 inches diagonally. It will be interesting to see if this pans out. If it does, will it have a keyboard? I tend to think not. I’m betting this is real and that it will look a lot like the image above; more of a tablet style device than a netbook. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for. I’d better start saving now.
I neither want or need a netbook. I have a MacPro a MacBook Pro and and an iphone. I have reached nirvana
No keyboard, no interest. I'd love to replace my MacBook with an Apple netbook of sorts, since all I use it for is writing and Internet stuff, then get one of those high end iMacs. But I'm not at all interested if I have to type on a screen.
I agree with Kirk – typing on a screen would be annoying and useless. First, it'd take up space on-screen, so you can't see the whole thing. Second, you'd have to set it down to do any real typing, and then you're stuck with your neck in a painful position. I wouldn't mind a touch-screen keyboard, but it should be separate from the computer itself. I like the idea of a programmable keyboard with letters that change depending on what language you're typing (I have to use Russian and Arabic a lot, but I don't like using different keyboards).
i think that a dual screen, smaller notebook would be best. similar to macboks now, but simply smaller.. thiner, and have a touch screen where the keyboard usually is, and a touchscreen where the screen usually is. then you could read book on it ect. and an iphone like interface would be sweet.. maybe leopard though..
Please say it's true that Apple is planning a netbook. I would buy one in a second… but only if it has a keyboard. I keep buying (and returning) PC netbooks. I love the netbook but I'm too hooked on Mac to settle for a PC.
I totally agree. I love mac but as long as it has bluetooth u can add a keyboard I am not worried about that
I think this could have a huge impact on students, especially at the elementary level. We have been looking to go 1 to 1 for some time, but budgets are just not making it possible – the itouch had some great applications for students, but really isn't big enough to make up for not having a computer – and to have both would be impossible at this point. I personally can't wait to see what they come up with.