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Apple’s netbook/tablet to be based on ARM architecture?

In other news that doesn’t surprise me at all, rumors are swirling that Apple’s entrance into the netbook/tablet arena will not be running an intel based chip.   To be honest, I’m not sure why this is shocking anyone.

Apple has always been big on playing with the wording of it’s public statements.  At the last Jobs keynote, the CEO of Apple stated that they didn’t know how to make an inexpensive Mac without compromising quality.   So whatever this device is, you can bet on the fact that it will NOT be a full on Mac.   Hence, it probably won’t run a full on intel processor.   I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  Apple does not want to release a cheap product that will cannibalize the sales of it’s oh-so-popular MacBook line.

So what IS this mystery device that is hidden beneath the bowels of 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino California?  Likely something that is based more on the iPhone archetecture than anything else.  In fact I’d expect it to resemble Nokia’s N-series tablets more than an iMac or a Macbook Air.  This article from Computerworld, makes a good argument for that as well:

To recap, here are the reasons, I believe that Apple will choose the ARM platform for their upcoming Netbook/Tablets.

1. Apple has an internal PA Semi team working on future ARM chips for the iPhone/iPod Touch
2. ARM chips cost an order of magnatude less (to license) than Intel equivalents
3. ARM chips take up less space on a motherboard
4. ARM chips use many times less power, enabling much longer battery life and much sleeker design.
5. You won’t need to virtualize Windows on these types of devices.  Most other Apple applications can be easily ported between chips.
6. Apple wants more control over the processors, which it can’t have with Intel.
7. While a variant of the iPhone version of OSX is the most likely of candidates, Snow Leopard’s optimization release might also be for ARM as well.

So Whatever we’re looking at here. It isn’t a Mac.  I can be pretty sure of that.  With companies starting to produce netbooks running Android,  I can totally see Apple modifying the iPhone OS and subsequently the App Store, so that they will run on a netbook style device.

Hopefully the App Store will become device aware,  only allowing you to download apps written for your specific device, as that would seem to provide the most Apple-like user experience.

So what are the advantages to this new kind of device?   Likely a bigger / higher resolution display,  possibly a physical keyboard, perhaps USB ports for extending the functionality, a faster processor and graphics chip allowing for more complex / graphically intensive apps and games.   Not to mention the fact that a physical keyboard would likely entice devs to write some good office software for the platform as well.

Regardless of what is coming.  I certainly am in the camp that believes that this (comparatively) low-priced device will NOT be a full on Mac, but more of an extension of the iPhone / iPod touch platform.  Either way, January can’t come fast enough.  I want to find out!

Tags: Apple, iPhone, netbook

Apple ISN’T making a netbook. Get over it.

Investors on Apple’s quarterly conference call, asked Steve Jobs if Apple was planning on making an entrance into the world of inexpensive netbooks.  Jobs’ characteristically dodged the question by saying that if the market grew large enough Apple would consider getting into it, and then noted that the iPhone performs many of the same functions as a netbook.

A lot of the pundits out there are jumping to some really silly conclusions and saying things like  “APPLE IS WORKING ON A NETBOOK!! YAY!!! LETS SIT AROUND AND WAIT FOR APPLE TO RELEASE A $400 LAPTOP!! WOO!!”

No.  They AREN’T doing it, and they likely NEVER will.   At least not a netbook like we know them today.  Why?  Read after the jump.

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Tags: Apple, Earnings Call, netbook

Black Friday 2008 – The war of the $199 netbook?

While the trend towards netbooks (small, low-powered, generally linux based, laptops) has been increasing over the last year,  something happened over the last week or so that has really been interesting to me.  As we get closer and closer to this year’s Black Friday, generally a source of ridiculously good deals for those early holiday shoppers,  I’ve noticed the prices on netbooks begin to plummet.

It started last week with Best Buy offering the Asus Eee Pc 900a for $299:

For a netbook that was previously going for around $450, this is already a great deal, and we’re not even at Black Friday yet.  But the price war is continuing already with Buy.com offering an Acer Aspire One netbook for only $309.  Not as good of a deal as Best Buy, but it is indeed a significant reduction from the original price.

Something makes me think that a lot of the retailers out there are going to drop the prices on these netbooks to around the easy to justify $199 mark to bring in shoppers in this otherwise terrible retail season.

It’s amazing to think that only a few years ago we were talking about the prospect of the $199 DESKTOP as being an amazing thing.  Now we just might be on the cusp of the $199 LAPTOP.  Hell at $199, I’d even buy one just for the hell of it.

Tags: Acer, Asus, Eee Pc, Linux, netbook, XP

Dell starts releasing products I’d buy. Weather in Hell? Blizzard.

Dell, what happened to you?  Where have the days where I could make fun of your terrible design and bad quality control gone?  First the XPS M1330, then the Studio series laptops,  then the Studio Hybrid desktop, and now the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook.  These are all really great looking products!  Hell if someone showed me a white or aluminum Studio Hybrid with an Apple logo,  I wouldn’t have even doubted that it was an Apple product!  Have you people really been learning?  I’m so proud of you!

In all seriousness though, I’ve become really impressed with the new hardware coming out of the Dell camp.  It seems they’ve finally tired of building the same desktops and laptops that they’ve been building for years, that while functional, were mind-numbingly boring.  I’m glad to see it too.  As of the past couple of years, in my personal experience,  I’ve seen a marked decline in the number of Dell products I’ve seen in the wild, and a sharp increase in the number of HP and Apple products.  As computer products have gone from simply being functional devices to fashion statements and status symbols, design has become far more important.

Speaking of really good design, my new favorite little item in Dell’s new lineup is absolutely the Dell Inspiron Mini 9.  Though it was officially announced today for sale, it’s been pretty well known in tech circles for months.  The Inspiron Mini is a netbook in the vein of the Asus Eee Pc,  a stripped down, barebones, inexpensive notebook for on-the-go use.  So far in my opinion, the Inspiron mini is the best of the bunch, especially in that really nice candy apple red.  If there was a mini notebook that I’d take on vacation with me, the Inspiron Mini 9 is it.

Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9 in Red

For a measly $349, you can pick up an Ubuntu Linux based Inspiron Mini, with a 1.6ghz Intel Atom processor, 512 megs of RAM, 4GB solid state hard drive, built in 802.11b/g wifi, and a tiny little webcam.  The display is a 8.9″ widescreen that is apparently LED backlit, and runs at a resolution of 1024×600.

Surely this will not be a PC you will want to do a lot of photo or video editing on , but for checking email, surfing the web, or writing your latest book, whether your on vacation or at your local coffee shop, this should get the job done nicely.

It’s funny to think of a netbook like “the computer you take on vacation with you”.  Considering that just a few years ago, many people just had one computer on a desk in the corner of the living room.  Much like television though, computing and the internet have become something that comes with you wherever you go.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see things like these netbooks becoming popular to take around with you.  They aren’t obscenely expensive, and they do the job of what you need to get done on the road.  If you happen to have your netbook lost or stolen, it’s not the end of the world as your main hardware is safe at home.

Here’s something I never thought I’d say.  I might just buy a Dell.

Tags: Dell, design, netbook