Apple Computer is denying rumors that it is working on a machine to tackle the low cost laptop, or “netbook”, market. Steve Jobs himself has tried to squash rumors of such a device in the works. Well, in the same way that the government denying the exisitence of ET craft just spawns further rumors of such, denials by Steve Jobs does the same. The difference here is that with Apple and Jobs, there are sources like the China Times that say not only does Apple have something in the works, but it is going to be a touch screen machine more like a giant iPod Touch, and sell in the neighborhood of US$800., which is about $300.00 north of some current netbook pricing. This makes sense. Leave it to Apple to redefine what is cool in the low cost computer space. Netbooks are cool, but iPods and even giant iPod touch screens are COOLER. This will also be a tablet form factor, not a clamshell design like traditional laptops, notebooks, or netbooks. The screen is also rumored to be a bit smaller than the 10.1″ netbook standard, closer to 9.7″, as per the China Times. The device is slated for a possible October 2009 release.
I might just want one of these suckers. Why can’t HP, Dell, or IBM have done this? That is because Apple has something the others don’t have enough of, creativity.
Now, I would be lining up to poo poo this thing if all it was was a spiffier Apple netbook, but if this indeed comes to fruition, then this is another Steve Jobs coup. Okay, potential coup. Even Steve Jobs is capable of producing a stinker from time to time, but this thing has potential. Some might say that it’s too big to be an iPod so then it’s not cool. I don’t know about that. It will tackle the market that really wants an Apple desktop type machine, running that uber cool operating environment, but it also remains uber portable as well, and can probably store many more tunes than any iPod ever made. The screen is also big enough to make watchig movies that much more enjoyable. It’s not an iPod, but a hybrid. I like the idea, but I always was a gadget freak.
I really hope that this device is in the works and will release just before Christmas. Maybe Apple can make the expected depressing holiday retail shopping season exciting once again.
I didn’t get the news from Gizmodo, but they are reporting the same thing.
