Dow Jones claims confirmation of Apple netbook - Page 2

Don't forget that the $600 iPhone, while not traditionally subsidized, had profit sharing backend subsidy.

Apple might sell such a device for $900 and then sell it through AT&T with a $60/month data plan with a 24-month contract. This is how they et al. currently sell their $300 3G cards to consumers.

Well Teckstud, I actually agree with you..

This idea that Apple is going to sell a 7-9-inch netbook for $599 is a joke.

3.5" iPhone = $599 ($199 + $400 from AT&T)

13" MBA = $1799

There is NO WAY that a 7-9-inch Apple branded device will sell for the same amount they sell the iPhone for. Not a chance.

With the MBA, Apple have proven that portability has it's price.

Unless Apple decided to slip a product-change below radar, the MBA is only available with a matte-screen. No matter what angle I look at my MBA's screen, doesn't look reflective to me.
It does in fact have ports, 1-USB, and a mini display port. Probably not enough for you but suits me just fine.

Huh? The MBA is glossy. From Apple Product page:

"The moment you open the new MacBook Air, youre greeted by instant full screen brightness. And its slim design doesnt compromise on size: the glossy 13.3-inch, widescreen LED-backlit MacBook Air display is the same viewable size as the screen on MacBook."

but the iPhone's cost has a lot to do with the size of the hardware and the extra things (like 3G and GPS, which may not be needed in a netbook/tablet).

If they make a more conventional sized tablet, it may not be as expensive, or possibly just as expensive, as the iPod Touch (then you have to add the features like USBs and larger battery, etc). Using the rumored iPhone 3.0 processor as a base, it may not be that hard to believe that it could be in the same price range as a few high end netbooks.

My only question is - stylus or no stylus?
i like the unique touchscreen of the iPhone/iPod, but its almost impossible to use a pointing device. Unless they use some kind of wacom-like system, I could see the screen getting beat up pretty quickly.

The MacBook Air has a full size screen, a full size keyboard and trackpad, the display port can provide HDMI out, uses a penryn processor, and Nvidia Geforce 9400 graphics, and actually contributes to Apple's profitability.

Netbooks do use 3G. Netbooks have sold well in Europe because they are subsidized with 3G wireless plans.

The bus speed being slower was a big difference - it was slower.

No both MB and MBA used the same chipset with 800MHz bus.

Recall that Dow Jones is now owned by Rupert Murdoch.

Not an apples to apples comparison.

A tower is not the same as a small form-factor (sff) PC (Mini is sff)

Go price a sff PC and you'll find it is more expensive than the Mini.

[QUOTE=DeanShu;1387771]

I am not disagreeing with you because obviously I am just guessing, but a clamshell with a virtual keyboard is not impossible. The problem with a tablet is that it is hard to work on in any serious manner because the relationship between the screen and the keyboard. A virtual keyboard on a clamshell has some advantages as has been discussed before. It would allow for far more versatility through the flexibility of the keyboard area. I remember seeing a patent drawing, I think on AI, which showed an iPhone type device with a fold out keyboard which was essentially a piece of glass. As for Apple's view on a smaller keyboard I take that with a pinch of salt. An undersize keyboard is a given with any miniature device, be it 10", iPhone size, virtual or real.
I don't know any more than anybody here but it seems to me that Apple would want to build on the iPhone, rather than miniaturize the Air. But tablets are too difficult so I imagine something different altogether.

While I agree that the multitude of Windows versions is ridiculous, have you not heard of OS X Server? It is a different version of Mac OS X, so that makes two versions, and isn't the iPhone OS derived from Mac OS X? so three versions. Yeah okay, so the iPhone OS is part of the appliance and OS X server may not apply to the general computing public, and there ay not be a very long list of differences between OS X and OS X server - and OS X is not exactly crippled compared to OS X server (the way that Windows Home is, especially when it comes to things like remote management). Just saying that the various "versions" of OS X are just not as prominently marketed side by side in a way that begs for any direct comparison to the way MS markets Windows (and 64 bit windows, and windows CE - or is it windows mobile now).

I'm not sure how this is anything other than a recipe for disappointment. Mention a "very nice" category, which is already outside the netbook's generally bandied-about price point of $400-600. Ask Apple to do something better. Then ask that it not be "too expensive". The "very nice slates" I've seen are pretty pricey.

But in the use, which 3G do you support? I could be wrong, but for much of the rest of the world, don't they pretty much use the same 3G technology? So Apple could sell the tablet with a 3G chipset and the customer could use whichever 3G provider they wanted.

But in the US, the two major providers use incompatible technology, which I believe requires different chips. It's bad enough that the iPhone is tied to ATT (therefore, I will never get one). But if we are talking a more capable device, it will house more of my data, likely have more advanced (ie, more expensive) applications, etc, then I don't want it tied to a carrier that I may not have or may not keep down the road. There could be too much invested (time, money, etc) in my device that "locked in" to a single carrier would have a whole new meaning.

He's only referring to the consumer PC versions of Windows. He didn't mention any of MS' server of mobile OSes. MS has 6, Apple has 1. MS could make one, but their business model doesn't work that way.

Precisely what I was thinking.

Yes that is a dilemma and the likely reason why Apple is not currently using 3G chips in its portables. If you are going to use a netbook it makes sense to offer 3G as an option. At the same time I'm not really arguing that Apple will introduce a netbook either.

"Not an apples to apples comparison.
A tower is not the same as a small form-factor (sff) PC (Mini is sff)
Go price a sff PC and you'll find it is more expensive than the Mini." <--DeanShu


Would a Dell Studio Hybrid be sff? Not exactly the same specs, but at $449 (25% less) it's pretty comparable.

- Intel® Pentium™ Dual Core T4200 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/1MB cache)
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic Service Pack 1
- No Monitor (System includes DVI and HDMI ports. VGA is not supported)
- Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive)
- 2GB1 Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz (2 DIMM)
- 160GB2 SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
- Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
- Integrated Stereo Audio with 5.1ch digital output (S/P DIF)
- 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty,3 InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis4

haha...what possible relevance does this have?

I'm quite happy with my AT&T service. I'm glad Apple didn't team with Verizon for several reasons, but mostly because my iPhone wouldn't work in most of the world if it was CDMA based.

SPAM

From a technical standpoint no that Dell is still not exactltly the same as the Mac mini.
The Dell uses an older and far slower graphics chip. Has an 800 front side bus, the mini uses a 1066 front side bus. The Dell uses older 667MHz DDR2 memory while the mini uses newer 1066MHz DDR3 memory.

a 9 inch screen? do i mount my Mac 128k on hinges?

or did someone dig up those eMates?

There are three possible definitions of the term "NetBook":

1. A laptop computer reduced in weight and dimensions to be optimally portable while retaining functionality. This is the MacBook Air solution. It reduces weight and dimensions by omitting optical drive, while retaining large screen and large keyboard. It is not low-cost, but is in a similar price range to similar devices from Sony and Dell.

2. A laptop computer reduced in weight, dimensions and specifications to be both portable and low cost. This is the typical "netbook" solution. It reduces weight, dimensions and cost by omitting optical drive, reducing screen and keyboard size and lowering overall quality. It started out as a Linux device as a cost-saving solution, but recently managed to achieve similar results with Windows OS.

3. A portable device optimised for internet connectivity. This is the iPod touch and iPhone solution. It reduces weight and dimensions by omitting all but the most essential hardware, while using a powerful OS and a touch screen to achieve optimal functionality. When mobile network operators costs and subsidies are removed from the equation, an iPod touch at $230 costs less than any of the typical "netbook" solutions. It has better quality and functionality, but a lower screen size.

Sales figures suggest that laptop-style netbooks have slightly less than 20% of the total laptop market by volume. About 10 manufacturers are selling more than 20 netbook models, so each model has about 1% market share at best. Apple's MacBooks have over 30% of this market by sales which are clearly more profitable. Apple's iPhone and iPods sell many times these numbers compared to laptops.

Clearly, there is a huge opportunity for Apple to offer a device similar to the iPod touch but with a bigger screen, provided it can find a way to combine this with offering the greatest value from its combination of iTunes music, videos and apps, especially games. How such a device would work will also depend on whether it comes with a service plan, like the iPhone, or with only WiFi, such as the iPod touch.

Here in Japan, netbooks (plus dongle) are being offered at zero cost by mobile operators in exchange for a two-year sign up, just as the iPhone is. Would people sign on to a reporter's notebook sized Apple iPod touch style device on similar terms? Of course they would. Would it help if they only needed to pay for one contract and could use both devices for not much more than the cost of one? Could Apple deliver this?

There are three possible definitions of the term "NetBook":

1. A laptop computer reduced in weight and dimensions to be optimally portable while retaining functionality. This is the MacBook Air solution. It reduces weight and dimensions by omitting optical drive, while retaining large screen and large keyboard. It is not low-cost, but is in a similar price range to similar devices from Sony and Dell.

2. A laptop computer reduced in weight, dimensions and specifications to be both portable and low cost. This is the typical "netbook" solution. It reduces weight, dimensions and cost by omitting optical drive, reducing screen and keyboard size and lowering overall quality. It started out as a Linux device as a cost-saving solution, but recently managed to achieve similar results with Windows OS.

3. A portable device optimised for internet connectivity. This is the iPod touch and iPhone solution. It reduces weight and dimensions by omitting all but the most essential hardware, while using a powerful OS and a touch screen to achieve optimal functionality. When mobile network operators costs and subsidies are removed from the equation, an iPod touch at $230 costs less than any of the typical "netbook" solutions. It has better quality and functionality, but a lower screen size.

Sales figures suggest that laptop-style netbooks have slightly less than 20% of the total laptop market by volume. About 10 manufacturers are selling more than 20 netbook models, so each model has about 1% market share at best. Apple's MacBooks have over 30% of this market by sales which are clearly more profitable. Apple's iPhone and iPods sell many times these numbers compared to laptops.

Clearly, there is a huge opportunity for Apple to offer a device similar to the iPod touch but with a bigger screen, provided it can find a way to combine this with offering the greatest value from its combination of iTunes music, videos and apps, especially games. How such a device would work will also depend on whether it comes with a service plan, like the iPhone, or with only WiFi, such as the iPod touch.

Here in Japan, netbooks (plus dongle) are being offered at zero cost by mobile operators in exchange for a two-year sign up, just as the iPhone is. Would people sign on to a reporter's notebook sized Apple iPod touch style device on similar terms? Of course they would. Would it help if they only needed to pay for one contract and could use both devices for not much more than the cost of one? Could Apple deliver this?

Closer, but there are some really aspects to the system. You choose a Pentium with 1MB L2 over a C2D with 3MB L2. I think that Pentium cost about $40. Then you haven't upgraded to the best version of Windows Vista, which is more comparable to Mac OS X, though that would be price prohibitive for that machine and not even run all the PCU intensive bells and whistles offered. The IGP in the new Mac Mini is considerably better than the X3100, though in fairness the X3100 is better than the GM950 that was available in the Mini just a week ago.

Breaking News! It's an absolutely gorgeous Apple-branded leather bound spiral notebook with a built-in digital clock, 1/4" thin calculator, stretchy pen holder and exclusive machined aluminum clipboard! Confirmed!!!

Yes I am being anal but what is the difference between 'price' and 'price point'?

Comparable? Hardly. A GMA X3100 vs. an Nvidia 9400, for one thing. Then you are talking about Vista Home Basic, the crummy version. The mini comes with Leopard and iLife '09. The Mini also has much faster RAM (1066MHz DDR3), which is twice as significant when talking about machines with shared video memory.

A lot to lose for 150 bucks. And then your higher electric bill will take the $150 away too, over a couple of years.

IMHO, The mini is an excellent value for the money. Probably the best price/performace ratio of the whole line, except perhaps for the unibody MacBooks.

There's just one point of difference.

If it is a phone, it will be subsidized. If it's not also a phone, then the proper comparison is to the iPod touch which is $229/299/399. The iPod touch launch was almost two years ago; the CPU got a slight boost last year and a few minor features. Since then, the ARM chips have moved to its next generation (at about the same cost), plus Apple has PA Semi adding its tweaks. Plus, it may have a low-power Nvidia GPU, and Snow Leopard tweaks to use it. Also, flash memory has come down in price (around 50% less).

So compared to iPod touch, this "tablet" has a much larger touch screen display, a GPU, and a larger battery. I could see it at $599.

price point
noun
a point on a scale of possible prices at which something might be marketed.

price
noun
the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something :

Did you see Elgan's prediction at Computerworld?

http://blogs.computerworld.com/apple...folding_iphone

Just a thought, but if you have a rugged shell front cover that slides off, reverse slides in the back you can carry it around and use it without fear of damage. It's not a phone so a slide locking [magnetically locking] case with grooves on the side could be cool.

The Dow is up 4.5% and the NASDAQ up 6% as of this writing. Apple and Amazon up 6%, MS up 7% and RiM up 9%.

Not to be anal, but IF Apple were to make a 7-9 inch netbook/UMPC the price of their current lineup which would need to be extrapolated from is not the iPhone but the iPod Touch. The iPhone has components in it that this new machine would not need, unless Apple is going to give it 3G access, which I highly doubt.

So, what you would be looking at is

3.5" iPod Touch with 32GB $375

Now consider also that if they make this fabled "netbook" have a 7-9 inch screen then it would likely have more room for components, thus the actual cost could remain close to the same for the "computer" parts while increasing in power simply because of the larger size. As for the screen, it is likely that the 7-9 inch screen may not even cost much more than the 3.5 inch screen.

So, given these things. I could see Apple selling a 7-9 inch netbook/UMPC for around $500-$600.

Of course, I wouldn't put money on this fabled device arriving any time soon, so it all might be moot.

3.5" 8GB iPod touch = $229 (no subsidy)

Alas, there's a difference in price between an Intel Core 2 Duo (including all its supporting chips) and an ARM-based chip (and its support). There's also a lot fewer chips/circuitry/connectors in iPod touch than in MBA.

Your argument is reasonable, but you rarely go wrong with Apple by assuming a price on the high end of whatever range you expect. My guess is at least $699 or higher, for a 7" touch device similar to a large iPod Touch.

I cannot believe no one has commented on this…

I watch the video that is linked, I think of the claims of an "application unknown" touchscreen being made for Apple, and I imagine something that blends the video device (but with a cleaner screen to keyboard connection) with this old mockup…





And just maybe a new feature in the 24" LED Cinema Display…?!?





Seriously though, watch the linked video, and think to yourself, "What Would Apple Do?"…