Prediction: NetBook
November 14, 2008
I’ve been thinking lately, and I have a prediction regarding a new device I think Apple will release. What is this device? Is it an iTablet? Is it a NetBook?
It’s both.
When Steve said that Apple has a unique approach to the netbook, I didn’t get it at first, but lately its all started to click. The tablet, rumored for years, is likely to be this NetBook everyone’s waiting for. What can we expect out of this device? Here’s what I think.
1. Multi-touch, 8-10 inch screen, close to edges with Black Bezel
2. Laser-cut aluminum.
3. iSight Camera for on-the-go iChat.
4. Wi-Fi and possible 3G/WiMax option
5. Very, very thin.
6. Bluetooth 2.0
7. No keyboard… virtual, but Bluetooth keyboard will work.
8. Works as remote for Apple TV.
9. Based on iPhone OS, not Desktop OS X.
10. Possibly inductive charging dock, like all the patents have shown, but more likely MagSafe.
11. USB/DisplayPort.
12. No optical Drive.
13. 599.
14. MacWorld
15. (upd.) Oh, and Cortex (stay tuned for more information)
Those are my predictions… what do you think?
As long as there is some kind of dock or the ability to use a bluetooth keyboard i would be ok with it.
I’d be very surprised if Apple ever did something like this. Not that I don’t want it, but it’s just not Apple. Apple does things we don’t expect. It would be difficult to make something like this differentiated from the iPhone and iPod Touch, at least with these specs you’ve got here. If they did something like this it wouldn’t be until Snow Leopard (smaller footprint, more efficient code), and it wouldn’t be anything like this.
Every app made for iPhone is made to fit the iPhone’s screen size. Technically, the platform can visually render the views at larger sizes, but it will mess up everything unless the apps are launched in moveable windows on the device. I just don’t see the iPhone OS ready to offer enough in a larger device. The lack of copy/paste alone doesn’t allow for application multi-tasking. Not saying that can’t take it there, but they sure aren’t getting this stuff done.
Unless it has a stylus and handwriting recognition I won’t be interested.
I want a modern Newton, PLEASE.
2m3et
That’s Apple Newtonian for “Sweet!”
I think handwriting recognition would be cool… but it seems unlikely. Steve made fun of carrying a stylus, so I just cant imagine it.
I think that’s right on target: the iPhone’s UI fits the format better than a desktop one. Of course, Apple would have to amplify it a bit in several areas to take into account the bigger UI surface, more powerful hardware and things, multitasking and so, but it is doable, and it is advantageous to Apple:
-It can keep using its App Store model to nourish it.
-It can base it on ARM, and so develop its own hardware without having to be compared to any conventional NetBook.
-It would be the start of a true new platform, and the real computer appliance Jobs has been dreaming since the original Macintosh.
But…
I don’t know if I’d love such a product that much with the usual Apple pricing. NetBooks’ success come from them being utterly conventional products at an überattractive price.
@ Snafu
I agree… Jobs wants this product soooo bad!
I think 599 is reasonable for a Mac, and I know so many people who would grab one in an instance. The key to its success though is that a keyboard must be able to be used. Not built on the device, but rather through bluetooth or USB. This would truly make it a viable Mac alternative. Cortex will be amazing too, and it is 100 percent guaranteed that they will use it.
There’s no way it would ever have a stylus.
I always thought that Apple would wait for OLED before they produced a tablet – but it’s still too expensive as far as I know. If they ever made a tablet, I would want it to be almost indestructible. Thin and very impact resistant.
I love it
I would enjoy this kind of tablet-Mac very much (size A5). These socalled portable computers I hesitate to call portable: When I am out travelling I would not think of taking with me a notebook. Even the 13 inch notebooks that weigh 2-3 pounds are too big and too heavy in my opinion. So I would love this thing if it has a multi-touch 10 inches screen with exactly one pound as the optimal weight.
I’d place an order today.
599 ~ $599?
I think you’ve got it all right except for the OS. This this will have something closer to Mac OS X. What do they need in this device? Powerful integrated chipset? Check. Easily integrated monitor? Check. Bluetooth and WiFi? Of course. The effort to compress Snow Leopard and dramatically decreasing memory/storage costs create the perfect palette. Not sure if MWSF is going to be the right time with a rough economy and an unfinished Snow Leopard, but we’ve got to be getting close.
@ Ryan: So a bigger display, iSight, Bluetooth, ports, and a better CPU aren’t enough?
@ QBert: I doubt even Snow Leopard will be enough to fit in this device. Those who are expecting Snow Leopard to somehow fit in slim handheld devices will be mistaken, from both a UI (display size and resolution) standpoint and a hardware requirements standpoint.
THIS IS IT:
Next Apple moves will be Books and Games…
http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09…ooks-and-games
Now, with full Mac OS X 10.5.5 inside and here is an order of thousands for our University.
Here is the full link above:
http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/next-apple-moves-will-be-books-and-games
no cd drive in your prediction? anyway pretty good prediction i would be happy with that, and nice picture
It would be nice to see more of this.