At any given moment there are literally hundreds of rumors floating around online about new developments at Apple, and reports of new products that may or may not turn out to be true. One recent rumor that refuses to go away is of a new Apple notebook computer known as the Netbook.
While no one knows exactly what the Netbook is (or even if it exists at all), it is rumored to be a large screen mobile computer with a touchscreen similar to the Apple iPod. Other rumors say that the computer has no conventional keyboard whatsoever, but instead uses the virtual keyboard displayed on its touchscreen.
The Netbook is also reportedly large enough to watch high-definition video, and with the ability to run standard Apple desktop apps, including iTunes and the Safari web browser. If these rumors turn out to be true, the Netbook would certainly be a game changer for the mobile computing industry, and could actually be a whole new type of notebook computer which blurs the line between the now ubiquitous smartphone and the laptop.
As for their part, Apple is keeping mum on the whole affair. But fortunately for the Internet rumor mongers, some of Apple’s Asian suppliers are speaking out about the Netbook. The Taiwan based company, Wintek, is reporting that it will supply touch panel displays for the new Netbook, and that they expect shipments to begin sometime later this year.
The company has supplied components for other Apple products in the past, so it would appear that there is at least some credibility to Wintek’s claim. Additionally, the type of touchscreen device Winteck is known to be working on would be just about the right size for the Apple Netbook. The company is producing 7 and 9 inch touchscreen displays, featuring virtual keyboards which would seem to fit in perfectly with the Netbook’s hybrid smart phone/laptop computer design.
While industry pundits continue to press Apple for a confirmation or denial on the subject of the new Netbook, as usual, Apple is proceeding at their own (slow) pace, and thus far, has made no official comment about the existence of the Netbook at all. And while many Internet rumors about Apple invariably turn out to be mere hoaxes, the comments made by longtime Apple supplier Wintek seem verify at least the existence of the Netbook as a concept.
Expect Apple to officially announce the Netbook sometime during the second half of 2009 — that is, assuming it exists at all.
I am keen to see these in action. Really dig the eee series from Asus at the moment but these would be pretty sweet.
Comment by Computer Store — April 15, 2009 @ 4:36 am