If you have been spending any consideration to technologies this yr then you may are aware that netbooks, the class of wee laptops pioneered by ASUS
Office Pro Plus 2007, could be the talk in the city. Number of hardware makers can discover where, inside the grand scheme of factors, these minor units suit in their lineup. Make them as well underpowered and so they look like toys, make them too potent and so they could siphon income from a lot more rewarding offerings.
Hardware makers like HP and Dell are content to test the waters with some interesting gadgets which can be trendy at the same time as convenient. But fashion and convenience isn't really cause enough, in my in no way so humble viewpoint, for Apple to obtain into your netbook organization, they have to offer some thing more.
More is an effortless point for Apple; their personal computers come with a complete host of helpful applications all made to let you get one thing done. If Apple took that identical philosophy and applied it to netbooks what may well they think of?
How about a netbook patterned following the plastic MacBooks, but these would activity a copious ten.2-inch vast factor screen and full sized keys similar to those on HP's Mini. Give it 32GB of solid state challenging push space, common 1GB of RAM along with a Compact Flash (CF) or Safe Digital (SD) card slot. Also give it WiFi, Bluetooth, and a minimum of two USB 2.0 ports. Allow it to be rugged in order that it could survive in backpacks and briefcases and even now look good. Possibly rubberize the exterior or give it a challenging aluminum shell. Run it all with Mac OS X. No CD/DVD drive required, thank you very much.
Ok
Microsoft Office Pro Plus, so we're not referring to anything significantly diverse than what HP and Dell presently presents. Here's wherever Apple differentiates itself: consist of a a single yr subscription to MobileMe and Web conscious versions of iWork. MobileMe iDisk as well as the pc in your house turn out to be the key storage gadgets. With iWork put in genuine work might be carried out. With MobileMe, entry to all your data is feasible, and Apple's Mail app in MobileMe signifies your mail is usually offered.
Of program, you happen to be not tied into MobileMe or iWork, you could use Google apps (Docs
Office 2010 Professional Key, Mail
Office 2007 Pro Key, and many others) or other cloud companies
Windows 7 Home Basic, and whilst OpenOffice is a chubby app it could give resources that may be more familiar to people used to Microsoft Office -- and it'll even now suit nicely in 32GB of storage. Even so, MobileMe and Apple apps would supply you with the total Apple expertise and connectivity that other services and applications just can't provide.
Is that a strong ample argument for Apple to come out with a netbook?
Well, consider this: MobileMe usage would increase thus creating a constant revenue stream, along with a Internet enabled iWork would make MobileMe more palatable for other Apple laptop users not at the moment subscribed. Add to that the relatively safe closed and controlled environment Apple would provide and you have a extremely compelling offering.
One last thought; If Apple introduced a netbook now its timing couldn't be better. The economy is in a tailspin and people are keeping their wallets shut tight. Apple may well feel the affects of this more acutely because Apple products, especially its laptops, are considered to be premiumly priced. Introducing a truly cost concious device and service now may well be just the ticket to keep people flocking to Apple Stores.
And there's no resond to think that netbook income would cut into Macbook or iPhone revenue, in therse trying economic times people buy only what they think they need. Apple would be grabbing revenue from the like of ASUS and Dell, but only a extremely small percentage of those people considering Macbooks.
One last thought; An Apple netbook (perhaps resurrect the iBook name?) would sell like snowcones on a hot Summer day within the education arena. Parents of college bound students would feel a lot of relief with the complete Apple offering as opposed to that from HP, Dell, and others.
Basically, an Apple netbook could generate a new source of income for Apple, along with a varied income source is what any enterprise would want, right?
So, an Apple netbook at Macworld? I honestly don't know, but if they do introduce one it would sure take some from the sting out of Steve Jobs' absence.
Should Apple netbook? Most definitely!
Note: Following writing this article I saw a rumor over at 9 to 5 Mac that suggests that Apple will indeed put iWork in a cloud. I would be cool could be the stars are aligning for an Apple netbook. Keep those fingers crossed.