netsmurfApples New NetBook?
There has been a lot of talk about Apples new netbook.
Yeah. That's the one. The one that doesn't exist.
Just because something doesn't exist doesn't mean that people won't talk about it.
Especial if it is an Apple product!
Most of the talk has been more along the lines of "When?" rather than the infinitely more interesting "What?".
Why is "What?" more interesting, you ask? Simple. Apple inc. has never been a "Me too" company. When they introduce a new product, it usually PWNS any and all other products in its category. Take the iPod for example. Not the first mp3 player. Depending on what features you require, perhaps not the best mp3 player. BUT it has become ubiquitous, the gold standard by which all other PMPs are measured.
Then there is the iPhone. Come on, when was the last time (ever!) anyone gave up a week of there lives to stand in line for a CELL PHONE?
This is why the "What?" is so important. The netbook market is a growing niche that has some interesting aspects. It is perhaps the epitome of one of Apples mantras, convergence. To combine a fully featured computer with both a communication device and an entertainment device is, perhaps, not that difficult. The difficulty lies in the seeming impossibility of making a device small enough to fit comfortably in your pocket, yet with a comfortably functional interface and usefully large display.
Currently, no netbook, in my opinion, achieves both these things.
Can Apple do it? Perhaps.
A lot of people believe that the iPhone is evolving into just such a device.
I, however, disagree. I believe that the iPhone is a sleek, lean, precision device that would suffer terribly if it was 'Frankenstein'd' into a netbook.
I believe that the father of Apples netbook is the MacBook Air.
As a technician, I have seen how small its logic board is, almost pocket sized, yet capable of full computer performance. By using that logic board with an 'origami' style keyboard and wrist-rest that folds in on itself would render the bottom half of the unit almost pocketable.
All that would be needed to complete the package would be a suitable screen.
Will Apple give us a six inch by four inch screen?
I don't think so!
Whether they go with a folding screen, or trump the computer world with the first, fully realized flexible, full color LCD panel, here is where they will sprinkle on the pixie dust and make us all go WOW!
All of this is simply my opinion and speculation, but I am sure that if/when Apple enters the netbook arena, it will be with a product that makes us want to line up for a week to be the first to own one.
If I were you, I would start saving my pennies now because you know, you're gunna want one!
Yeah. That's the one. The one that doesn't exist.
Just because something doesn't exist doesn't mean that people won't talk about it.
Especial if it is an Apple product!
Most of the talk has been more along the lines of "When?" rather than the infinitely more interesting "What?".
Why is "What?" more interesting, you ask? Simple. Apple inc. has never been a "Me too" company. When they introduce a new product, it usually PWNS any and all other products in its category. Take the iPod for example. Not the first mp3 player. Depending on what features you require, perhaps not the best mp3 player. BUT it has become ubiquitous, the gold standard by which all other PMPs are measured.
This is why the "What?" is so important. The netbook market is a growing niche that has some interesting aspects. It is perhaps the epitome of one of Apples mantras, convergence. To combine a fully featured computer with both a communication device and an entertainment device is, perhaps, not that difficult. The difficulty lies in the seeming impossibility of making a device small enough to fit comfortably in your pocket, yet with a comfortably functional interface and usefully large display.
Currently, no netbook, in my opinion, achieves both these things.
Can Apple do it? Perhaps.
A lot of people believe that the iPhone is evolving into just such a device.
I, however, disagree. I believe that the iPhone is a sleek, lean, precision device that would suffer terribly if it was 'Frankenstein'd' into a netbook.
I believe that the father of Apples netbook is the MacBook Air.
All that would be needed to complete the package would be a suitable screen.
Will Apple give us a six inch by four inch screen?
I don't think so!
Whether they go with a folding screen, or trump the computer world with the first, fully realized flexible, full color LCD panel, here is where they will sprinkle on the pixie dust and make us all go WOW!
All of this is simply my opinion and speculation, but I am sure that if/when Apple enters the netbook arena, it will be with a product that makes us want to line up for a week to be the first to own one.
If I were you, I would start saving my pennies now because you know, you're gunna want one!
