Why Apple hasn't released a 'net book' yet

[monke]

I was reading around the forums earlier, and after reading a few replies, this just seemed to hit me.

Now most people around here are probably wondering 'why hasn't Apple released this' about many things, one of them being the net book. Touchscreen, tablet, net book, what ever you want to call it, or call them all separate products. Hear me out on this one.

Apple is highly touted for it's iLife suite of applications that come bundled with Macs. So highly touted in fact, that Apple won't ship a computer without it. At the keynote Phil was saying there's nothing else like it. If Apple's going to do a net book, they're going to do a net book by definition. It's going to be a laptop for using the internet, and only for the internet. So now where does iLife tie in if the Apple net book only uses the internet, well look no further then recent rumours...

Everyone remembers the rumours prior to the keynote regarding iWork and iMovie being online-only applications. These online applications would fill in the gap for the Apple net book by providing users the same kind of experience they're used to on normal Mac's.

To me it just all 'ties together'. If Apple's going to do a net book, it'll more then likely be breakthrough like normal and far from the norm. To compensate it missing the normal Mac package, Apple will make online applications.

Just a thought.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

So now where does iLife tie in if the Apple net book only uses the internet, well look no further then recent rumours...

The major flaw in your theory is that the online iLife didn't come into fruition. That rumor was only started because of the rumor of the online iWork, that was only started because someone got wind of iWork.com and misinterpreted it.

 

[hayduke]

Jeez. Who wants one of those? The internets is for nancies.

Apple is also known for MILKING the market. They will suck every dollar out of existing markets then transition to a netbook when MBA sales slow...or something.

Essentially it is the same reason they don't have lots of "obvious" products. They run a business and they have to ensure a steady stream of products. They can "blow their wad" so to speak.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple is waiting for the Pineview-core Atom CPU before releasing its own Netbook, since the new Atom CPU's coming later this year will be fast enough to run essentially the full version of MacOS 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"). Such a small laptop may feature a full touchscreen operating like that on the iPhone/iPod touch and a pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard along with two mouse buttons on the bottom of the keyboard in order to save space.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I think Apple is waiting for the Pineview-core Atom CPU before releasing its own Netbook, since the new Atom CPU's coming later this year will be fast enough to run essentially the full version of MacOS 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"). Such a small laptop may feature a full touchscreen operating like that on the iPhone/iPod touch and a pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard along with two mouse buttons on the bottom of the keyboard in order to save space.

I'd prefer a device running an OS like the Palm Pre, with a design like you said..... just like the Sony Vaio P

 

[Hartel]

Apple does have a Netbook.

It's called an iPhone

 

[Digital Skunk]

Apple does have a Netbook.

It's called an iPhone

Fanboys and their blindness.

If it is a netbook, not only is it the most expensive netbook that actually does less than every other netbook but it also has NO WAY of creating office documents.

Unless you were simply joking, in which case disregard the harsh tones.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

Apple does have a Netbook.

It's called an iPhone

Apple does have a Netbook.

It's called the Macbook Air.

 

[gnasher729]

I'd prefer a device running an OS like the Palm Pre, with a design like you said..... just like the Sony Vaio P

So what is your experience with the OS on the Palm Pre?

 

[cathyy]

Apple does have a Netbook.

It's called the Macbook Air.

There's a fine difference between a netbook and a UMPC.

 

[ukmacpro]

I really don't think that Apple will, I just don't think it fits for them...

The emphasis they put on creating full featured products. The Air is a WHOLE laptop, not a cut down version... The iPhone has the "WHOLE" internet. Even the larger iPods are promoted towards carrying your WHOLE music collection around with you. I don't think it would feel right for Apple to come out with a net book.

Give it a few more years and Apple will come along with another revolutionary product which has the WHOLE something else we never expected to be able to carry around with us.

I think Apple's answer to the netbook is the iPhone, which I think Phil or Steve actually said at the unibody release (although I can't remember fully). It does absolutely everything that other netbooks do and more... I mean some of these netbooks don't have 3g built into them, so you can't get on the internet everywhere.

 

[PowerFullMac]

Although it would be cool, I doubt they are going to do it.

Apple always sell overpriced but cool products, and that's what the MacBook Air is - a very overpriced netbook.

The iPhone could also count.

If you want OS X on a proper netbook, though, get a EEE PC or something and install OSx86 on it.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I'd prefer a device running an OS like the Palm Pre, with a design like you said..... just like the Sony Vaio P

Actually, my suggestion makes more sense, especially since you could use a really tiny hard drive like the 6G iPod classic's 80 GB unit and the whole netbook would still only be about the size of the very small ASUS Eee PC. It would be perfect as a businessman's travelling PC, since for business travel you don't need to lug along all the contents of the desktop computer hard drive anyway. And you could get by with 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity, since going to 802.11n may end up using too much battery power (critical for such a small unit).

 

[puffnstuff]

Technically in the near future we may be able to plug in or use bluetooth to connect the touch or iphone to a netbook size device that would allow us to use the bigger screen and keyboard.

As for something that runs OSX? Get as many people as possible to e-mail Apple about the Macbook Air so they can finally explain why the damn thing is so large and if they are going to make it smaller.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

I don't think we'll truly know Apple's intention on a "Macbook/netbook", untill the release of "Snow Leopard". The focus of the new OS, is the maximization of multicored processors. But if Apple wants a 9" Macbook, this new OS needs to built to run on it, aswell as its bigger brothers..........

 

[Digital Skunk]

So what is your experience with the OS on the Palm Pre?

As much as everyone else's with Snow Leopard.

I looked at it on Youtube. And it's more promising than most portable OS releases.

Actually, my suggestion makes more sense, especially since you could use a really tiny hard drive like the 6G iPod classic's 80 GB unit and the whole netbook would still only be about the size of the very small ASUS Eee PC. It would be perfect as a businessman's travelling PC, since for business travel you don't need to lug along all the contents of the desktop computer hard drive anyway. And you could get by with 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity, since going to 802.11n may end up using too much battery power (critical for such a small unit).

Which, like I said, is like the Sony Vaio P. And the Vaio would have HDMI and two USB ports to add to the list. At 1.4 lbs it would be a useable, and lightweight machine.

 

[monke]

The major flaw in your theory is that the online iLife didn't come into fruition. That rumor was only started because of the rumor of the online iWork, that was only started because someone got wind of iWork.com and misinterpreted it.

Mhm. If that's all it was (someone misinterpreting information) then it pretty much renders my whole post invalid.

Apple is also known for MILKING the market. They will suck every dollar out of existing markets then transition to a netbook when MBA sales slow...or something.

Essentially it is the same reason they don't have lots of "obvious" products. They run a business and they have to ensure a steady stream of products. They can "blow their wad" so to speak.

Very, very true.

Apple does have a Netbook.

It's called an iPhone

Oh dear, let's just not go there, at all. A netbook without copy and paste...

 

[IJ Reilly]

Who is really surprised that Apple hasn't done a "netbook" to the current industry specs for this device (a small, cheap laptop)? If Apple does move into this space, we have to know that it won't be by aping what others have already done. Most likely it will be an extension of the iPhone/iPod touch form factor and UI, and be linked to online versions of Apple's productivity applications. Just because this didn't happen in January, doesn't mean that it won't.

 

[Desfolio]

I think Apple doesn't have a netbook out for the same reason they don't have a mid-range tower mac out. It would compete with Apple's current lineup. If a mac netbook came out, who would buy a macbook or a macbook air? You can even go into debate whether it competes with iphones or pod touches.

 

[PowerFullMac]

I think Apple doesn't have a netbook out for the same reason they don't have a mid-range tower mac out. It would compete with Apple's current lineup. If a mac netbook came out, who would buy a macbook or a macbook air? You can even go into debate whether it competes with iphones or pod touches.

A netbook would only have a fraction of the power that a proper laptop has.

 

[zap2]

As much as everyone else's with Snow Leopard.

Wow, where did you get the OS that Palm Pre will be a ''minor'' update to?

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Wow, where did you get the OS that Palm Pre will be a ''minor'' update to?

Since when is snow leopard a minor update? It's still going to be $129. I'd say it's as much of an update as Tiger was to Jaguar, or Leopard to Tiger.

 

[UltraNEO*]

"Why Apple hasn't released a 'net book' yet"

I was reading around the forums earlier, and after reading a few replies, this just seemed to hit me.

Question(s)...

More to the point. What is a 'netbook' used for?
Is it something that's gonna be radically life-changingly useful?

Seriously, besides having yet another device to charge, safe guard from thieves, carry around and slow me down. I really don't see the need for an additional electronic box of tricks.

Those Eee-PC's are just money spinners. Apple already have those in the form of a iPod, iPod Touch and iPhone - Consumers everywhere already own one, many own a few!

 

[Digital Skunk]

Question(s)...

More to the point. What is a 'netbook' used for?
Is it something that's gonna be radically life-changingly useful?

Seriously, besides having yet another device to charge, safe guard from thieves, carry around and slow me down. I really don't see the need for an additional electronic box of tricks.

Those Eee-PC's are just money spinners. Apple already have those in the form of a iPod, iPod Touch and iPhone - Consumers everywhere already own one, many own a few!

I agree, but I think the netbooks fill that segment that do just want a cheap laptop to carry with them for the benefit of having a larger screen and real keyboard to surf and be productive with. Since the iPhone and iPod Touch can't do those things it's useful for some.

I know the biggest thing that sells me on them is their price. Worst case scenario (being held up) is always my guide, and loosing a $450 laptop is better than loosing an $1800 one any day.

 

[UltraNEO*]

I know the biggest thing that sells me on them is their price. Worst case scenario (being held up) is always my guide, and loosing a $450 laptop is better than loosing an $1800 one any day.

Seriously? People would be happy paying $450 for a bit of glossy cheese? Man... If those folks were in the UK. They could save a bundle from signing up for a iPhone contract (some dealers are offering the handset for free!) get unlimited high-speed access to 3G internet for FREE! Without being a 'fanboy' I dare say an iPhone could do more and yet, still be more mobile or portable than any crappy Eee-pc/Netbook.

...Unfortunately, for me the iPhone still doesn't cut it. It's human interface isn't very "friendly", touch-screen data entry on the move just isn't practical.