The Apple netbook rumors refuse to go away. For months people have been speculating about Apple working on a netbook to enter a market that is expected to grow even more in the near future. Steve Jobs has said in the past that Apple doesn’t know how to make one of those cheap netbooks. But he didn’t mean Apple wouldn’t enter this market. Apple never charges what others are charging for their notebooks anyway. Apple is a premium brand and an Apple netbook would cost much more money anyway. Nevertheless, the rumors started to die down a couple of months ago, especially after Apple indicated that it was not planning a netbook prior to WWDC.

The rumors are heating up again, especially with Steve Jobs returning to his job. Steve is a special person at Apple, and it’s not too far fetched to expect him to come back with a bang. And from what we have heard about this mystical netbook, it’s going to be a big hit. Many sources are now claiming that Apple is already working with its partners to introduce its first netbook (not counting Macbook Air) in October:

Taiwan’s high-tech supply chain companies said Apple will debut its first Netbook in October; Apple will pose itself to tackle the Christmas shopping season. Three (Taiwanese) corporations–Foxconn, Wintek, Dynapack–have received direct orders from Apple. (Wintek will be producing touch screens and providing relevant technologies for Apple.)

This tablet-laptop-iPod hybrid is going to be one heck of a challenger in the crowded netbook market. It’s going to come with a 9.7″ screen, portable design, and Mac OS. It is going to cost $800, but if you know anything about Apple products, Apple’s netbook is going to be worth every penny. It’s nice to talk about rumors, but we don’t have enough information about Apple’s latest secret project. I do hope that we get an Apple netbook somewhere down the line, but keeping the prices low will still be a challenge to Apple unless the company ditches the “netbook” brand.