Reports are that Apple is planning a netbook/tablet computer that would priced around $800:
Is Apple looking to build the best of both words, and combine the two? ... According to CEO Jobs, Apple doesn't know how to build a $500 notebook that wouldn't be a glorified paperweight. Jobs' netbook opposition, however, has led to speculation that if Apple isn't churning out a netbook, then it is likely to spit out a touch-screen tablet -- think a giant iPod Touch -- sometime this year, a theory that would make more sens
But news sites like the China Times contend that an Apple netbook is happening, and it will happen as soon as October of this year. China Times also indicates that a touch-screen tablet is on the way. Wait a second. Does that mean Apple is doing a touch-screen tablet that's also a netbook? That's essentially what China Times is saying.
Leave it to Apple to take two widely popular form-factors, combine them and make them their own hybrid as a touch-screen tablet netbook. Of course, as Apple does with everything, it's changing the rules a little bit. China Times indicates that Apple's touch-screen tablet netbook will measure about 9.7 inches, a departure from the standard 10.1-inch netbook size. Additionally, Apple's netbook, or tablet, or tab-book, or whatever the heck it'll be called, will scrap the traditional clamshell format of netbooks for a tablet format.
This might be the coolest Apple product yet, provided it can run both Mac and iPhone apps. Email would be easier than on the iphone. But the possibilities are even more impressive. Imagine, for example, being able to use the Kindle application on a 9.7 tablet. Who would need a Kindle DX? Tetris could definitely benefit from extra real estate. Ditto Youtube and iPod video.
