What's Wintek making for Apple? – Update
UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal's Taipei bureau weighed in on this rumor Monday evening, adding screen dimensions that were missing from the original report. See below.
- – -
The Chinese-language Commercial Times reported Monday that Wintek, a Taiwanese maker of LCD displays, will supply touchscreen panels for a mysterious new Apple (AAPL) product, with shipments to begin the second half of the year.
What that product might be is not clear — even Wintek says it doesn't know. But according to DigiTimes, the Taipei-based daily that carried the report in English, Commercial Times claims Apple is building "netbooks" for release later this year and that Quanta Computer, one of Apple's favorite suppliers, will be assembling them.
That's a claim that should be treated with some skepticism.
First of all, as MacRumors points out, the track record of Commercial Times when it comes to predicting Apple's products based on supply chain reports is mixed at best.
Second, the netbook market is one that Apple has managed to avoid — at least for now — to the benefit of its bottom line.
Netbooks, for anyone who hasn't been tracking recent computer sales trends, are low-cost sub-notebook sized computers designed for e-mailing, Web browsing and remote access to Web-based applications. They've been selling like crazy lately, driving down the average selling price of companies like Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Dell (DELL) while shrinking already slender profit margins. (See Apple so far immune to PC price "collapse.")
The question of when Apple is going to move into this market has come up at every quarterly analyst call since last fall.
"We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk," Steve Jobs said last October, when asked if users were going to see cheaper computers from Apple. "Our DNA will not let us ship that."
Asked directly about the netbook market, he was dismissive. "We'll wait and see how that nascent category evolves, and we have got some pretty interesting ideas if it does evolve," he said. Besides, he added, Apple already has a product that fits the bill.
"You know, one of our entrants into that category if you will is the iPhone, for browsing the Internet, and doing email and all the other things that a netbook lets you do. … An iPhone is a pretty good solution for that, and it fits in your pocket."
Asked again in January about how Apple plans to respond to the market for netbooks, now that it's taking off, acting CEO Tim Cook echoed Jobs' remarks. Netbooks, he said, are "principally based on hardware that's much less powerful than we think customers want, software technology that is not good, cramped keyboards, small displays."
"We don't think people will be pleased with those products," Cook added. "It's a category we watch, we've got some ideas here, but right now we think the products are inferior and will not provide an experience to customers they're happy with."
So what is Wintek making for Apple, if not touchscreens for a netbook?
Since the dimensions of those screens were not provided, it could be almost anything, from a high-end iPhone to an oversized iPod touch to a Newton-type tablet computer.
It could even be a netbook. But if it is, we suspect it won't be a piece of junk. And we're pretty sure it won't sell for less than $500.
UPDATE: Late Monday, the Dow Jones Newswire added fuel to the Apple netbook rumor with fresh details provided by two-unnamed sources:
"The mini laptop computers will likely have monitor screens that are between 9.7-inches and 10-inches, one person, who declined to be named, said.
"Another person said other specifications and functions are still under evaluation." (link)
[Image of an imaginary Apple touchscreen netbook courtesy of Gizmodo.]
A 2 screen clamshell… hold it vertically for two page view or hold it horizontally for top screen visuals and bottom screen as keyboard. Paperback book size when the clamshell is folded… call it The Pearl.
This is old news!!! Apple filed the patents for this over a year ago, as far as I can rememb. Maybe even shortly after the iPhone came out. Get with it. Maybe they just waited to start production until they found a supplier for the LCD's, but this is nothing new or shocking or life changing.
This is old news!!! Apple filed the patents for this over a year ago, as far as I can rememb. Maybe even shortly after the iPhone came out. Get with it. Maybe they just waited to start production until they found a supplier for the LCD's, but this is nothing new or shocking or life changing.
I have blogged about how Apple has seemed to have forgotten it;'s core Education roots, as well as what a Apple Netbook would look like, using the technology that they now have in place.
Imagine a computer that changes with the needs of the user…a keyboard becomes a piano keyboard, a voice recorder, a camcorder…that is all available with current Apple technology. They just have to put it together.
Tim
I have blogged about how Apple has seemed to have forgotten it;'s core Education roots, as well as what a Apple Netbook would look like, using the technology that they now have in place.
Imagine a computer that changes with the needs of the user…a keyboard becomes a piano keyboard, a voice recorder, a camcorder…that is all available with current Apple technology. They just have to put it together.
Tim
“We don’t know how to make a $500 computer that’s not a piece of junk,” Steve Jobs said last October, when asked if users were going to see cheaper computers from Apple. “Our DNA will not let us ship that.”
Of course not. Jobs wants more money so they charge $600 for a piece of junk. It's called the mini.
“We don’t know how to make a $500 computer that’s not a piece of junk,” Steve Jobs said last October, when asked if users were going to see cheaper computers from Apple. “Our DNA will not let us ship that.”
Of course not. Jobs wants more money so they charge $600 for a piece of junk. It's called the mini.
Apple made the first netbook which was the 10 inch Powerbook…..a lot of consumers simply want this model again with the same specs as the MacBook…..this is nothing new…..travelers and mobile lifestyle people want something with a smaller footprint but with almost full functionality….this was the PowerBook 10 inch model….if you run into anyone that still uses this model…and there are still plenty of people who are married to this model…you will notice that they are so attached to this that they won't upgrade because of the size. Carrying around a 13.3" MacBook or MBA is just not a size that a lot of people are wanting to carry around. For those with bigger hands, they need to full-size keyboard, but there are plenty of others that don't need the full-size keyboard and surely don't want mini-functionality that these 7-inch netbooks offer, which is definitely sub-prime and useless for most applications. The 10" version will simply be restored.
Apple made the first netbook which was the 10 inch Powerbook…..a lot of consumers simply want this model again with the same specs as the MacBook…..this is nothing new…..travelers and mobile lifestyle people want something with a smaller footprint but with almost full functionality….this was the PowerBook 10 inch model….if you run into anyone that still uses this model…and there are still plenty of people who are married to this model…you will notice that they are so attached to this that they won't upgrade because of the size. Carrying around a 13.3" MacBook or MBA is just not a size that a lot of people are wanting to carry around. For those with bigger hands, they need to full-size keyboard, but there are plenty of others that don't need the full-size keyboard and surely don't want mini-functionality that these 7-inch netbooks offer, which is definitely sub-prime and useless for most applications. The 10" version will simply be restored.
Call it Mac v3. v1 was the original Mac. v2 was the original iMac. v3 is the next incarnation of that concept. A smallish screen, underpowered, and yet innovative. v3 will be much more portable than either v1 or v2, along the lines of a netbook, yet the lineage is clear. The new Mac for the masses.
Call it Mac v3. v1 was the original Mac. v2 was the original iMac. v3 is the next incarnation of that concept. A smallish screen, underpowered, and yet innovative. v3 will be much more portable than either v1 or v2, along the lines of a netbook, yet the lineage is clear. The new Mac for the masses.
If it is like it looks (a super color touch screen mini tablet PC/large iPod touch) with a USB port… I'm in for 500$!
If it is like it looks (a super color touch screen mini tablet PC/large iPod touch) with a USB port… I'm in for 500$!
I think this could be some kind of large iPod Touch with some kind of 3g connection and a large hard drive. It could ship with Snow Leopard, the next version of the most advanced operating system in the world.
I think this could be some kind of large iPod Touch with some kind of 3g connection and a large hard drive. It could ship with Snow Leopard, the next version of the most advanced operating system in the world.
I think what Apple should do is compete with all the eBooks, like Amazon’s Kindle. Introduce their new e-book that has 32 shades of gray and show how its touch screen is just as easy as the iPhone and iPod touch. And add eBooks to iTunes. Then say, “There is one more thing.” It’s also a full touch screen Mac with a high-resolution color touch screen and Snow Leopard. I just think that would be a great. You know everyone would be upset if it was just another eBook. Then they would go crazy after the, “One more thing” line.
I think what Apple should do is compete with all the eBooks, like Amazon’s Kindle. Introduce their new e-book that has 32 shades of gray and show how its touch screen is just as easy as the iPhone and iPod touch. And add eBooks to iTunes. Then say, “There is one more thing.” It’s also a full touch screen Mac with a high-resolution color touch screen and Snow Leopard. I just think that would be a great. You know everyone would be upset if it was just another eBook. Then they would go crazy after the, “One more thing” line.
The primary concern I'd have for a NetBook is the size of the keyboard. I learned to type pretty well (ended up taking pre-secretarial typing in High School, back in The Day, when I couldn't schedule the pre-college personal use typing course.) I find anything less than a full-size keyboard to be totally unusable, and that's a major complaint I have about Crackberries and even the iPhone.
I was a big fan of Palm Graffiti I, which I got pretty good at doing, but Graffiti II was a step backwards, in my view. And if I had continued with my Palm, I would have bought one of those folding keyboards like a co-worker used.
So any small laptop has to have a full-size keyboard, or a really good handwriting recognition/pen system.
The only Windows device I ever found really compelling were those tablet computers. They're close to the original Alan Kay Dynabook concept, and that's what I'd really prefer Apple to do. So either I get (a) pen computing on the display or (b) a full-sized keyboard.
The primary concern I'd have for a NetBook is the size of the keyboard. I learned to type pretty well (ended up taking pre-secretarial typing in High School, back in The Day, when I couldn't schedule the pre-college personal use typing course.) I find anything less than a full-size keyboard to be totally unusable, and that's a major complaint I have about Crackberries and even the iPhone.
I was a big fan of Palm Graffiti I, which I got pretty good at doing, but Graffiti II was a step backwards, in my view. And if I had continued with my Palm, I would have bought one of those folding keyboards like a co-worker used.
So any small laptop has to have a full-size keyboard, or a really good handwriting recognition/pen system.
The only Windows device I ever found really compelling were those tablet computers. They're close to the original Alan Kay Dynabook concept, and that's what I'd really prefer Apple to do. So either I get (a) pen computing on the display or (b) a full-sized keyboard.
If they make a device like this, it will need a 3G data connection and at least 128GB storage to be useful.
If they make a device like this, it will need a 3G data connection and at least 128GB storage to be useful.
The Gismodo image of an imaginary netbook looks too much like a 1950s Popular Science cover painting of the Radio Shack model 100 done better (image at: http://oldcomputers.net/trs100.html)
Netbooks that only let you see the top third of any web page are an evolutionary dead end. An iPod/iPhone cinema handheld with a 5×7 or 6×9 touchscreen with an optional Bluetooth keyboard/mouse will work fine.
The Gismodo image of an imaginary netbook looks too much like a 1950s Popular Science cover painting of the Radio Shack model 100 done better (image at: http://oldcomputers.net/trs100.html)
Netbooks that only let you see the top third of any web page are an evolutionary dead end. An iPod/iPhone cinema handheld with a 5×7 or 6×9 touchscreen with an optional Bluetooth keyboard/mouse will work fine.
Yes, I hope they make small – about a size of a manila envelop. Also thin and light like air. They should even call it MacBook Air. Oh wait…
If Apple makes another netbook it will also cost arm and leg – no thanks.
Yes, I hope they make small – about a size of a manila envelop. Also thin and light like air. They should even call it MacBook Air. Oh wait…
If Apple makes another netbook it will also cost arm and leg – no thanks.
More immediate, Apple desktop computers have been 11 of the top 25 sellers all weekend at Amazon. Laptops have been 4
of the top 25. Any significance in this economy.
More immediate, Apple desktop computers have been 11 of the top 25 sellers all weekend at Amazon. Laptops have been 4
of the top 25. Any significance in this economy.
A larger screen iPod Touch would indeed make a great netbook alternative. Could easily be priced around $500.
A larger screen iPod Touch would indeed make a great netbook alternative. Could easily be priced around $500.
A 2 screen clamshell… hold it vertically for two page view or hold it horizontally for top screen visuals and bottom screen as keyboard. Paperback book size when the clamshell is folded… call it The Pearl.