Is an iOS Netbook in the Works?

by Chris Seibold Sep 28, 2010

Nothing gets Apple fans quite as excited as rumors about new hardware. A Verizon iPhone? Juicy! 30 inch iMacs? Tantalizing! A 1.5 inch iPod nano? Are you sitting in the closet huffing ether? Wait, it already exists? In that case, we'll just use the new nano as an example of Apple's unpredictability.

Which brings us to the latest rumor: Supposedly. Apple is going to churn out a netbook. The specs are typical: 11.7 inch screen, slightly undersized keyboard, low power chip etc. The trouble with this idea is that Apple has already, publicly and unequivocally, rejected the idea of a netbook.*

You likely recall the Apple's objections to the idea of a netbook. Steve Jobs complained that netbooks weren't better at anything.

Which is true. Netbooks don't really do anything better except convince people that they can get a laptop really cheap. Hence, the very idea that Apple would suddenly jump into the netbook market is absurd. Just as absurd as Apple switching to Intel chips for the company's line of computers after years of telling anyone who would listen just how inferior Intel chips were.

We've established Apple isn't afraid to bash an idea and later embrace it so a netbook of some sort is in the realm of possibility, right? Not really. Apple isn't going to make a smaller version of the MacBook Air at cut-rate prices just to appease those who are frustrated by the lack of a cheapish portable Mac. With the advent of the iPad things get a little more interesting and the idea of a 11.7 inch Apple netbook suddenly seems plausible.

How would Apple make it work? First, forget OS X on the Apple netbook. Apple has established Macs as premium computers worthy of premium prices. iOS, conversely, has been presented as the OS for products with great price points. You may recall how Apple gushed about the iPad's $499 price point.

Things make a little more sense now. You're not talking about a smaller Mac, you're talking about a slightly enlarged iPad that is easier to type on. A real keyboard hooked up to an iPad means more productivity, a better method of input for text and e-mails. The attached touch screen means more fun and a better way to browse documents. Bonus: No need for a trackpad.

Does it make sense from Apple's perspective? The company gets to use the A4 chip which is likely cheaper than any chip powering a Mac. Apple can charge extra for the device without having to pony up a significant amount of extra dough to get it produced. Best of all, it runs iOS and that mean it can run apps from the App Store. What's not to love, if you're Steve Jobs?

The truth has been sussed out, there is simply no reason not to make the device. Apple makes a few extra bucks and consumers have one more thing to buy. Everyone wins. Here's the trouble with the analysis: Apple generally avoids making products just to squeeze a few extra bucks out of folks. Apple isn't being altruistic when the company doesn't sell t shirts at the Apple store, the company is being patient. Apple knows that the value of the Apple brand is far more important then the short-term profit the company could rake in from a marginal product. Such a product would damage the brand, and thus it's not worth it.

Is there an iOS netbook on the horizon? If Apple believes that such a device would go extra large and decimate the netbook market you can expect to see it. If Apple thinks the rumored device would only appeal to people who already have or an iPad forget about an iOS powered netbook.

 

           

 

Comments

  • So you’re saying if Apple thinks the product will get them sales (without taking them straight from another product), they’ll make one. Fair enough. But that’s a relatively easy prediction! smile

    Do you think such a product? I do agree it’d be an iOS netbook, probably with a very similar screen size to the iPad so that it’ll run regular iPad apps without any changes (a horizontal iPad with keyboard). Apple would have its apps (iWork/iLife, basically), possibly the only app maker to customise for the netbook.

    Personally I think there’s room for the device. The keyboard is useful to many people, as is the long battery life, and it’ll be inexpensive. It’ll compete directly with ChromeOS netbooks.

    Greg Alexander had this to say on Sep 28, 2010 Posts: 228
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    Chris Seibold had this to say on Sep 28, 2010 Posts: 354
  • Pointless.  If someone wants an iPad with a keyboard they can easily buy one of the several iPad cases featuring a built-in bluetooth keyboard, or get a separate keyboard.  Extra screen size alone would not merit this - far more likely is a nextgen iPad with “retina” display that simply ups the resolution of the existing size.

    Paul Howland had this to say on Sep 29, 2010 Posts: 38
  • Hi Chris,

    I don’t see a netbook coming with either iOS or OSX. It makes no sense.

    Apple has created a problem for itself. What people want is OSX software on an iPad.

    Somehow there needs to be a new version of multi-tasking, where one can shift from one OS and back to the other. They both have their strengths and weaknesses.

    iOS is great for the iPad, but if you have a clamshell and a keyboard, then you want OSX.

    Somehow both the form and the function need to mate. It will probably need to mate on the iPad form first, if there is a netbook/folding tablet version.

    Dinky little apps are fine for an iPhone/Touch but the screen size in an iPad demands more sophisticated software. Just as people use a laptop to replace a desktop, the iPad could replace the laptop. It isn’t just about size. A laptop did not limit functionality the way that iOS limits OSX.

    I would expect new software on an iPad before a netbook. Maybe some type of rosetta stone that will run OSX apps in an emulation environment. Right now, Apple is restructuring its own software to be bi-compatible. I would hope they would use that experience to help developers do the same thing.

    Steve Consilvio had this to say on Oct 13, 2010 Posts: 47
  • Steve, there’s no way they’re going to make an Mac emulation environment for iPad. It goes against everything Apple wants, even if the speed and memory needs were satisfied. Far better for apps to be designed for touch specifically.

    Sure they might make an iOS compatibility for the Mac though, if Macs have touch.

    In terms of functionality - just as an example, Apple could sell an 11” iOS iBookAir and a 13” MacBookAir -both running respective versions of Mail, Safari, iTunes, Photos, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, Keynote. The 11” would be much lighter & more than half the price - with ability to install iPad apps. The 13” could install Mac apps (and perhaps iOS apps too).  I’m not saying they’ll do this combo, just that it could meet many people’s needs.

    Greg Alexander had this to say on Oct 19, 2010 Posts: 228
  • Nothing gets Apple fans quite as excited as rumors about new hardware.

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    Ana had this to say on Aug 11, 2011 Posts: 76
  • You cannot install iOS on a netbook. iOS is designed for iPads and iPhones hardware. car title loan

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    Jackysoom had this to say on Aug 22, 2011 Posts: 76
  • I personally believe there is space Lafitte.Pantomimist is helpful to many people, such as a long battery life, and it will be affordable. It will compete directly ChromeOS netbooks.
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    Jackysoom had this to say on Sep 07, 2011 Posts: 76
  • I would like they abuse that the experience help the developers to do likewise.
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    Jackysoom had this to say on Sep 10, 2011 Posts: 76
  • Just as absurd as Apple switching to Intel chips for the company’s line of computers after years of telling anyone who would listen

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    jerry had this to say on Sep 13, 2011 Posts: 34
  • First, forget OS X on the Apple netbook. Apple has established Macs as premium computers worthy of premium prices. iOS, conversely, has been presented as the OS for products with great price points. You may recall how Apple gushed about the iPad’s $499 price point.

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    jerry had this to say on Sep 13, 2011 Posts: 34
  • Mac. With the advent of the iPad things get a little more interesting and the idea of a 11.7 inch Apple netbook suddenly seems plausible.

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    cherrymac had this to say on Sep 17, 2011 Posts: 52
  • If Apple believes that such a device would go extra large and decimate the netbook market you can expect to see it.
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    cherrymac had this to say on Sep 17, 2011 Posts: 52
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