Rumors have swirled for years about the rebirth of the Newton. Rumors have also swirled for years about Apple finally entering the thin-and-light space with an ultraportable notebook. Now, I'm seeing those rumors being put together--that Apple may be working on a tablet-style PC that builds on the technologies we've seen in Intel-based MacBooks and multi-touch iPhones and iPods.
The idea of Apple entering this space is an exciting one: I'd be intrigued to see what Apple brings to the design table--especially considering that Tablet PCs have been stuck in neutral for years. However, I'm not convinced that a solely tablet device is what Apple needs right now.
I say this as an enthusiastic advocate of miniature computers and touchscreen devices. Unfortunately, I'd posit that even an Apple-designed tablet would run the risk of being relegated to niche entertainment gadget (like Archos' 704 WiFi); it certainly wouldn't be able to enter the corporate vertical markets Tablet PCs have thus far appealed to--that's a Windows-only club.
What I can see, however, is Apple trying to fill the gaping hole in its existing notebook lineup by releasing an ultraportable computer, one with Apple design influences and a touchscreen.
Why do I note the lack of an ultraportable as a "gaping" hole? A lifelong PC user, I've been supplementing my PC use with a Mac now for the past few months. Boot Camp and software like Parallels make it more plausible for me to consider switching to a Mac-capable portable. But I, personally, won't consider buying a large notebook--and to me, the MacBook is too large, in both physical dimension and weight. I've carried a subnotebook for years--my current model is a two-year-old Fujitsu LifeBook P7010D--and I won't consider going back to lugging something heavier around.
Now, I have my reasons for not wanting my notebook's weight to creep higher than 3.5 pounds; your own mileage may vary, but I do know I'm not alone in my thoughts about Apple's notebooks (in all fairness, Apple's MacBook is far lighter than many of the desktop replacement PC luggables I've seen in the last year, too). And that's the point: Buying a notebook PC is a far more personal purchase than buying a desktop PC.
Ross Rubin, an analyst with The NPD Group, echoes the personal purchase perspective, and notes that this is why Apple has had so much success with its notebook line, even though Apple's notebooks are more expensive than competing PC notebooks. Consumers, he says, are more willing to spend bucks to get the notebook style they want. That may be--and clearly, Apple has attracted a userbase with its MacBook and MacBook Pro designs. But what about the rest of us who want...dare I say it...more choice?
The Apple notebook line is currently minimalist and streamlined--to the point that it ends up constraining Apple's growth and outreach to the rest of us that want more choice in what we buy. If Apple were to flesh out its current offerings with compact notebook, though, that's a design idea that not only could I get behind, but also one that makes sense for Apple given its existing lineup.
Take that idea one step further, now: What if Apple were to release an ultraportable convertible notebook that combined the best of the tablet-and-touch worlds, and had a keyboard, too? Conceptually, that would take the rumors of both a reborn Newton and a compact notebook full-circle--all while delivering a device that would fill a void in Apple's current offerings. Realistically, a tablet, Newton-style PDA in the era of iPod Touch and iPhone, well, that doesn't make sense for the mainstream. Plus, others have tried this approach, with devices like the Nokia N810 Internet tablet (with keyboard) and the Archos 704 WiFi (no keyboard). Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) are still struggling to find their niche, too.
Somehow, though, I think Apple could be the game changer in ultramobile computing. If Apple were to add its well-honed design sense and apply its famous level of integration between software and device, Apple might succeed taking the concept mainstream, in ways others have not. So let the rumors keep coming: We'll see what direction Apple decides to explore when the company is ready to reveal its hand.
If they build it, they will come.
You're absolutely right! Most notebooks, including Apple's, are still too heavy to carry around without getting irritating because they try to do it all, while Palms and newer UMPC's are able to do all you need to do while outside the home, but are too small to be practical for easy, everyday computer use. What the market needs but nobody builds is a 12-13" screen (touch functions would be cool, but not absolutely necessary), paired to Apple's amazingly thin keyboards that still offer perfectly easy text input. Add enough flash memory to keep it light and incredibly thin, a couple USB ports and an expresscard 54 slot with a MoGo mouse instead of a mousepad, and it would do it all while away from home. 2-3 pounds of spiral-paper-notebook sized practical portable computer that then easily connects to a dock with a bigger hard drive/optical drive and more ports at home would be way more practical than all current UMPC's, yet as functional as current laptops. Build it already!!!