More Apple Netbook Rumors

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.

Will Apple Stay Away From Netbooks?

WWDC was supposed to be the event in which Apple disclosed its plans for its tablet or netbook. But we didn’t get either. What we did get was new cool Macbooks and somewhat aggressive pricing on the new models. Top level folks at Apple have never shied away from dismissing the netbook market as a whole. But a lot of experts believed that Apple was secretly planning a super netbook to be released later this year. So far we haven’t heard too much from Apple at WWDC about its plans for a future netbook, but it seems the company is still not too hot on the whole netbook market.

I have to say I somewhat agree with Steve Jobs’ assessment. Can you imagine Apple selling a $500 netbook? Apple is a premium brand which means it can’t afford to release a product that does not offer premium features to its customers. An Apple netbook that does fit Apple’s DNA will cost close to $1000. That’s not what you can call an affordable netbook.

Apple may not see a need for producing a netbook, but it certainly does need a gadget that appeals to mobile users but is more capable than the iPhone. The answer could be the MediaPad (a large screen iPod Touch). It could be a hybrid device. Whichever the case, you can bet Apple will have an easier time charging a premium for it by staying away from the “netbook” tag.

Steve Jobs Spearheading Apple’s Netbooks Efforts

Talk about an April surprise. If you have been following Apple lately, you know Steve Jobs had to take a step back to take care a health issue that he was dealing with. Guess who’s back? Wall Street Journal is reporting that Steve Jobs is back, and he is working on Apple’s next big thing: Apple Netbook! Steve Jobs is a great mind who always finds a way to deliver great devices to Apple fans. So one doesn’t have to be a genius to know Apple will be pushing the bar higher in the netbook market. There are reports that Apple has been ordering 10 inch screens for a new device. We also know that Apple has been working hard on its multi-touch technology. This all has led to Apple websites speculating about a Mac netbook + tablet hybrid. But can Apple keep the costs low?

I still have trouble figuring out how Apple is going to keep the price low for this table/netbook PC. Apple is a premium brand which means you will have to pay more to get your hands on its gadgets. We know Macbook is currently selling for around $1000. Will Apple netbook cost $700 or so? And how will Apple adjust its netbook’s features to lower the price. Nobody knows for sure. One thing is for certain. The players in the netbook market won’t be too happy about this latest development.