March 10th, 2009
Sources to Dow Jones: Apple plans to launch touchscreen netbook
I’m as tired as anyone about these Apple netbook rumors, but the story’s starting to gain some traction after it was revealed yesterday that Taiwan-based Quanta and Wintek would be manufacturing the machines for the Cupertino-based vendor.
Today, two unidentified sources told Dow Jones Newswires that Apple is planning to launch a netbook computer with a touchscreen monitor as early as the second half of this year.
Either this is the biggest Apple ruse to date, with all of Taiwan involved, or Apple is subscribing to the “deny, deny, deny, backtrack” tactic so favored by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
One of the two sources also said the Apple netbook “will likely have monitor screens that are between 9.7 inches and 10 inches,” according to Dow Jones. Talk about an exacting source.
The other person said other specifications and functions are still under evaluation.
The second person confirmed that Apple is working with Wintek, a contract manufacturer of small and medium displays, and Quanta Computer, the world’s largest notebook maker by revenue, to assemble the new netbooks.
The debate over an Apple netbook rages on, with industry insiders and outsiders wondering if the premium-minded Apple brand can navigate the treacherous, slim profit margins of the ultraportable netbook segment in light of a very difficult global economy.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is on the record dissing netbooks, saying, “We don’t know how to make a $500 computer that’s not a piece of junk.”
Our own Adrian Kingsley-Hughes questions whether all the hoopla is misdirected, and the real device behind the curtains is the next-generation iPhone.
What do you think?
Andrew J. Nusca is an associate editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet.
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