Apple prepping micro Mac portable?

[lu0s3r322]

"That’s according to rabid Apple fansites spanning the interweb. They all seem to think we’ll get our hands on an ultra-portable from the Mac makers of Cupertino at some point next year.

According to popular conjecture, the fat free portable will use flash memory to start up in a jiffy, and run a cut down version of Apple’s OS X.

We can see the appeal of a pint-sized Mac portable, possibly in tablet form. Its latest laptops are a little on the large side, and Apple’s decision to discontinue the 12-inch Powerbook left swathes of notebook fans in mourning.

Still, we have to wonder whether Apple would be quick to jump into the UMPC pool. With relatively few exceptions, current ultra-portables leave a lot to be desired.

Short battery life, awkward controls and a lack of real purpose seem to be the main stumbling blocks, but maybe Apple can change that.

We’re sure digital photographers would love a mobile editing pad for use in the field, while musicians could pack a portable toting Garage Band in their bags whenever they’re out on the road.

Students would lap up a book-sized portable too, letting them tote their textbooks without having to lug heavy hardbacks between lectures.

There’s a definite coolness Apple could bring to UMPCs too, in the same way iPod made MP3 players trendy. Whether it’ll take the opportunity is anyone’s guess."

http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/general/general/apple_prepping_micro_mac_portable

I have no idea which sites are reporting this, but I would buy that in a New York minute.

 

[miles01110]

No.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I read that article.. and one on digg too. the 'official' rumor sites may not be saying anything, but everyone else is!

 

[Warbrain]

No. No. No. No.

Apple - actually Steve - is not dumb enough to expand into this market. It will not sell. No one buys UMPCs. They are too expensive, not capable of doing half the things people want them to do, and entirely worthless. Apple would waste loads of money on such a product and then they would end up discontinuing it because it won't sell for crap.

 

[pianoman]

not gonna do it. wouldn't be prudent.

 

[joebells]

they might in the future but that mockup is probably not what it will look like.

 

[mpw]

No. No. No. No.

Apple - actually Steve - is not dumb enough to expand into this market. It will not sell. No one buys UMPCs. They are too expensive, not capable of doing half the things people want them to do, and entirely worthless. Apple would waste loads of money on such a product and then they would end up discontinuing it because it won't sell for crap.

Unless they did it right. All it takes is for Apple to hit the bullseye with a product that meets the expectations of all those people who want a little more than a smartphone can offer but don't want to tote a 13" laptop.

a MacBook Lite with a 10" screen, no optical drive, longer battery life and a couple of slots for memory cards and a SIM card For £1,200 and I'll buy it.

 

[mpw]

...http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/general/general/apple_prepping_micro_mac_portable...

Should point out that t3 magazine, while glossy and with semi-naked girls, is a pretty poor, info/fact light tome.

 

[stoid]

The main objection I have is the notion that Apple will create a Mac OS X Lite. It's not Apple's style. Microsoft creates 10 versions of their OS, rather than just one that 'just works' with everything.

 

[jsw]

Should point out that t3 magazine, while glossy and with semi-naked girls, is a pretty poor, info/fact light tome.

Should point out that t3 magazine, while a pretty poor, info/fact light tome, is glossy and with semi-naked girls.

I'm sure a tablet will come sooner or later, but I expect later, when low-power screens are available in size and quantity.

 

[mpw]

Should point out that t3 magazine, while a pretty poor, info/fact light tome, is glossy and with semi-naked girls...

That's why I subscribe

 

[mpw]

The main objection I have is the notion that Apple will create a Mac OS X Lite. It's not Apple's style. Microsoft creates 10 versions of their OS, rather than just one that 'just works' with everything.

Why would they need to go the OSX lite route?

I agree that their portable device should retain full OSX let Adobe or whoever produce 'lite' apps to run on it by all means, even an iLife lite by Apple, but the UI should'nt change from the full OSX.