Apple netbook coming?
The Inquisitor is running an exclusive story today claiming Apple is preparing their retail stores for selling an $800 laptop. The article claims that the notebook line will cover models ranging from a new low price of $800 up to $3,100. This low priced notebook (for Apple) may have to do with the reported Apple "brick" manufacturing process that supposedly can produce much cheaper notebooks for Apple. Or maybe Kevin is right and this could be the Apple netbook? I guess we’ll soon know.
If it is coming look to Tuesday the 14th.
I think it’s the netbook, or at least Apple’s take on the netbook concept. I just hope it won’t be crippled, like the iPhone. Or defective, like the first few runs of Macbooks.
At any rate, I can’t see them offering laptops at $800 unless they’re somehow much, much less awesome than the rest of their line. It would devalue their hardware too much. I think overvaluing said hardware is what keeps them lively, to be honest. It’s like cell phones covered in Swarovski crystals, just marginally less stupid.
If Apple doesn’t release a netbook by the 14th, I’m going to grab myself a Dell Mini 9 and Boot-132 it into my own MacBook Nano.
C’mon, Apple, get on the bandwagon already!
I don’t think Apple “does” bandwagons.
Also, I think you’ll find that a Mini with OSX on it is probably just a lateral move away from an Apple netbook, at half the price. Just my thinks.
I think I should get an invite to the event based on calling this one in advance.
I don’t believe for a minute that Apple is getting into the netbook market. I certainly hope not, anyway. A netbook _alternative_, maybe.
Apple has always resisted (rightfully so, in my opinion) slugging it out with Dell, HP, etc. on razor-thin margin machines, and they need to keep doing so.
Besides, $800 would be too expensive for a netbook anyway.
I want a 8.9″ slate iphone like device with multitouch. I can add the bluetooth wireless keyboard if I need to type lots of text, otherwise a well integrated on screen keyboard.
Dropping the keyboard stops it competing with the macbook laptops, as well as keeping the cost down.
@Tom – yes, a netbook “alternative”. An Applebook, or some such thing. Cheap, but high end (doesn’t $800 sound about right for Apple’s “cheapest ever” laptop?).
I don’t know if there will be a razor-thin margin — if MSI can win with decent-quality hardware at $550, Apple can win with a controlled source of similar decent-quality hardware and a better case at $799.
@PJE – an Apple slate would be interesting, but I doubt it would sell like hotcakes. Plus, the darned thing would probably be $1200.
My guess is an $800 13-inch MacBook made out of aluminum that looks like a MacBook Pro. I don’t think there will be that much in the features too special, the special is the new casing and pricing. Hope I’m wrong and Kevin is right that it will be a smaller netbook.
James,
I agree with you. Spec-wise, I don’t expect much of an upgrade from the current base MacBook (though there will likely be some improvement), and with a new case and $300 price drop it should be quite compelling.
@Weylund – Why would it be $1200? Take an 8.9″ Atom based netbook, put the display where the keyboard is and remove the lid. A capacitive touchscreen shouldn’t cost any more than a keyboard. Overall cost should be similar.
I’d buy one and as soon as I got it home I’d put Microsoft Vista on it!! Or XP.
Happy weekend everyone!
If Apple wants to maintain their presence in the education market, which has been one of their longstanding customers, they better jump on the Netbook bandwagon. For an innovative bunch, they definitely missed the boat on the “One Laptop Per Child” program. But in addition to that market, they are missing the great majority of people who do not need the full computing power of a Macbook Pro (as magnificent as it is) when they are on the road. They need a device that allows the user to to communicate (email and video conference), actually type as well as copy and paste documents (iphone failings), some entertainment capability (minimal games and movies), and has a reasonable price point particularly in these economic times.
@PJE: I’m pretty sure that tablets take a bit more engineering than that, especially if it’s Jobs at the helm. That, and Apple’s not going to use any old touchscreen. I would lay a bet on a high price.
Apple customers will pay it.
And — do you think the parts of the original Macbooks actually came anywhere near the MSRP? Apple charges a premium for their stuff, no matter what they use.
I am with PJE — I’d basically like a supersized iPhone (with a real… open… OS) for use around the house.
(Apple has always resisted (rightfully so, in my opinion) slugging it out with Dell, HP,)
what? i mean they put inter prossesors in tehre macbook..en now they puttng nvidia chip on there macbook too..they become a PC..