22/07/2008, 09:41 AM
An Apple source that has proven himself in the past has reported that wee should be expecting an Apple portable tablet PC device, and soon!
According to the description, the computer would be a combination of iPhone-like design and control, with all the features of a Macbook and Mac OS X. Unlike the Macbook Air, this model would include a slot-loading dvd drive, but not much was said about computing power. It seems to be targeted towards use on the go, with GPS built in and the ability to run App Store programs designed for the iPod Touch and iPhone.
Also, according to the source, Apple is once again planning to make this a big deal and sell heaps of them, like it has done and still does with it's iPhone. For that reason, as with the iPhone, I would expect the price to become quite reasonable within a few months of release, though at the same time I doubt Apple will want to repeat the problematic decision it made with it's first iPhone price drop...
- Source: [Gizmodo]
Edit: On a side note, Apple's CFO has announced a profit drop of a few % in the spring quarter due to product updates. What this means is that, like Apple does quite often, some or many product lines will get better specs for the same or a lower price in the near future. The Macbook range is very much expected to get an update, with the Macbook Pro probably becoming 4-core and possibly receiving a Bluray player (now would be a good time, now that the war is settled), and of course this Macbook Touch. The Mac Mini is also due for an update, though as Apple seems to have wanted to do for a while now, the update may be it's end.
In any case, if you want to buy anything Apple (other than an iPhone of course), I'd wait a while.
- Source: [AppleInsider]