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Apple May Be Re-Entering the Sub-Notebook Market

Posted by Zonk on from the time-to-upgrade dept.

An anonymous reader writes "AppleInsider is reporting that Apple has plans to reenter the sub-notebook market this year. The project, the article states, should be unveiled around the time of WWDC (summer). Drawing parallels to the legendary PowerBook 2400, the sub-notebook will offer some of the best elements of old and new. With a small footprint, light weight, and manageable screen it will fill a niche not currently occupied by any Apple hardware. At the same time, it will offer some new technologies that the current crop of computers do not: 'The new MacBook model is expected to introduce some features not yet available with Apple's existing notebook offerings, such as onboard NAND flash. Plans reportedly call for the notebook to be the first of the company's MacBook offerings to utilize the solid-state memory in order to improve power efficiency and facilitate near instantaneous boot times. This feature, however, had not been frozen upon last check.' Apple hopes this micro-notebook will capture interest both here in the states and in Japan, where the appeal of small consumer electronics may offset the current weak computer market."

8 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. Mac Tablets by man_ls · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'd be sold at nearly any price if they'd just include tablet functionality.

    I'm not terribly fond of Windows (most of my apps would run under Wine or Parallels, the only Win-Only suite I really use is OneNote) but if there were a Mac replacement, I'd probably buy.

    They're quick, pretty computers with easy software that doesn't get in the way.

    An ultraportable tablet running an OS that stays out of my way is like a dream...its too bad that Apple is so shy of making a tablet.

    1. Re:Mac Tablets by great+throwdini · · Score: 5, Informative

      I'd be sold at nearly any price if they'd just include tablet functionality.

      It's not ultraportable, but this should meet the "for nearly any price" requirement: Axiotron ModBook.

  2. Re:The Pacific Theatre by nacturation · · Score: 5, Funny

    You may recall the post-war embarrassment revealing that Microsoft had parked U-Notebooks right off the coast in the closest harbor to Cupertino, California. With Microsoft's blitzkrieg campaign imploaded, Apple can safely enter the waters once again. Why else do you think Apple release Das Boot Camp?
    --
    Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
  3. I repeat by Jethro · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I've said it before and I'll say it again.

    Just make a 13.3" MacBookPro already! I don't want a MacBook and I don't want a 15.whatever laptop.

    I love my 12" Powerbook but it's getting to the point where it's just too underpowered, and I don't have an upgrade path that I'm happy with.

    --


    In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is kinky.
  4. Nowhere to go. by Ralph+Spoilsport · · Score: 5, Interesting
    They HAD a very small and wonderful little laptop - I'm using one right now - a 12" G4 iBook.

    The differences between the MacBook and MacBook Pro are very few and certainly not worth the $. The MacBook has drifted upward in abilities, and they stopped making the 12" machine - hence, there is nowhere for them to go. They have to re-invent what they've abandoned. As TFA says, three once was a small and venerable machine many years ago, and the 12" G4 iBook was the last of that "inertia".

    Now their strategy has abandoned low end small machines. Ooops. So now we'll see one. This comes as no surprise. They have nowhere to go. Frankly, I am looking forward to this, because my G4 iBook is getting a bit long in the tooth...

    RS

    --
    Shoes for Industry. Shoes for the Dead.
    1. Re:Nowhere to go. by rwyoder · · Score: 5, Insightful

      They HAD a very small and wonderful little laptop - I'm using one right now - a 12" G4 iBook.
      So did I, and I recently sold it for 40% of what I paid for it (3.5 yrs ago), and bought a 13.3" MacBook. Remember that the MacBook has a 16:10 screen vs the 4:3 screen of the iBook. That is why the MacBook is *thinner* and *shorter* front-to-back. The only dimension that is a little larger is the width. And I now have: faster 64-bit CPU, 3x RAM, GigE, Toslink audio in/out, 802.11a/b/g/n, built-in iSight, Bluetooth, higher-resolution internal LCD, external video resolution greater than internal (including 1920x1200 & 1920x1080), external video that does not need to mirror internal screen, DVD-burner. There is *nothing* I miss from the old iBook
  5. Re:Scaling OS X down by necro81 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The next release of OS X will have resolution independence. It's been just beneath the surface for a few releases now. Resolution independence allows text, icons, and everything else to be scaled to look "right" on high-resolution, small scale screens, or on normal resolution, ultra-large screens.

    Some links about this.

  6. Re:The Pacific Theatre by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think it's called Dasbootkampfurwindowsundmacosxloaden