Rumor Watch: Apple touchscreen netbook on tap for October

It's time for another revolution... Apple style. Do you see it coming?

Remember when Apple struggled because end users did not have access to software for it, not to mention the limited choice of software that actually existed? Yes, I know the internet (and Steve Jobs... and the iMac... and the iPod... and iTunes... and the iPhone...) saved Apple. But does anyone see what Apple has REALLY done? Apple did not only revolutionize the music, music player and cell phone markets. It has now revolutionized the way software applications are being created, distributed and purchased and used!

It is rumored that Apple will be be selling larger versions of an iPhone that will have the capabilities of a full fledged laptop. Great you say? Others can do this too. Yes, BUT Apple already has done it. And others will not have the leverage that Apple has in the way software will be distributed for their units , not to mention the price point and how intuitive those apps are for mobility, lifestyle and efficiency: the iPhone and iTunes way.

A whole separate economy of apps is maturing around the iPhone. App developers are having a blast and getting rich. End users simply click install right on their iPhone. Next question. How much for an app? Hmmm, most are only about a buck, many under $5 and well look at all the freebies! No messy installer files, worry about viruses, and best of all if you purchase an app you can always retrieve it from a single sources later. WOW! Now imagine that on a computer! AWESOME!!!!!!!

Single source? Oh yeah, the MacBook Tablet and itunes would make Apple the guardians AND the gate for software. Very impressive. They have already accomplished this logistically with the iPhone. Now all they have to do is implement the same thing with a computer. Very smart!

So now more people will need a "Macbook Tablet" in their hands. Many have been reluctant to switch from PCs but that was when software was bought, downloaded, purchased in stores, etc and at higher costs and with many cumbersome installers. Things will be different. Do you see this new revolution coming??

I see a name change coming. No more i”Tunes”. No more “i”Mac. Just forget the identifiers following the i? How about just plain "i"… “The Apple i.” Now how revolutionary is that?

By Ben Preisner. 8/29/09

The fact that any of you think Apple would make a device like this running Mac OS X for general computing use is amusing.

-K

I suppose if I was a college student, this would be nice. Having a very portable, simple computer for carrying documents and for quick syncing of iPods.

As a Physician in Private Practice, I see several outstanding uses for the Apple Tablet I have waited about eight years for.
1. As a way to enter patient data into an Electronic Medical Records program
2. Read any newspaper online
3. The best ebook reader on the market
4. Have a dock to charge and hold it upright, connected via Bluetooth
to their already in store wireless keyboard and mouse, and use it
as a traditional laptop
5. Do puzzles, play games, read email, surf the web, buy stuff online
without the need for a clamshell

I carry around a moleskin notebook and a MacBook Pro wherever I go. I usually use the Moleskin for drawing visuals of what I am verbally working to express - its the way I think and work. If I could have a multi-touch tablet that leveraged the precision touch capabilities of the iPhone I would be in heaven and kill a lot less trees in the process.

A device like this has great potential in the medical field. The Obama Health plan is mandating electronic medical records eventually for all hospitals and dr's offices.

I already use an EMR in my office and I have been through many Windoze and Mac products looking for a efficient and convenient device to chart with in the room. Winblows tablets I've tried have been heavy, unreliable, and have poor battery life. Clamshell design laptops and netbooks make data input difficult while standing - and where do you place a laptop in a small exam room so unruly and uncontrolled kids don't mess with it? (I lost 1 laptop when a kid pulled it off the counter. Of course mother blamed me for being careless!) Ipod Touch is just too small to be useful.

Currently, I'm using a 13" Macbook but would love a tablet.

PSTMD

I think it is interesting that people complain about the theoretical $800 Apple Netbook being over priced. It is also interesting that the "magic" price is $399 or so considering the 32g iPod Touch is currently priced at $399. If people are willing to pay $399 for an ipod touch, they will certainly pay more for a netbook.

I'd be interested... but only if it uses a Wacom digitizer, has enough grunt to run Photoshop + Painter, and doesn't come with a mirror for a screen.

Yeah, I'll keep dreaming ;)

Guess it just depends on your outlook... "logic takes you from A to B, imagination takes you everywhere". I see this thing as a laptop-sans-keyboard. Why wouldn't they build something that could do everything your iMac or MacBook does, with the added ability of touch-screen? Or even a HUGE iPhone without the cellular aspects? Ever wanted to manipulate your photos on your iPhone in the way iPhoto can? Your productivity (or otherwise) can only be limited by what you can imagine now. I can't wait to have an apple "laptop" with the added 'cool-factor' of touchscreen for only US$800

this is a virtual shoe-in. Think about it: the new MacBook pro 13 inch is the replacement for old MacBook. why would anyone by the macbook when for a couple of hundred more you can get the MBP with better hardware. The white MB is on its way out (may stick around just for the Edu market) the Tablet will be the new MacBook. Remember, Apple only does things to make money, not to appease us fans. They waited until they could do the netbook thing right, and then the charge the apple tax for it. I can almost guarantee that it will show up in Oct and I for one will buy two