Is the Time Right for Apple to Produce Netbooks?

Over the course of the past few years, there’s been a major shift in what people want or need in a computer, especially a mobile one. While 13″ or 14″ 7 or 8lb offerings used to be okay, with the advent of the netbook, it became clear quick that consumers have wanted them for a while. After all, like is so often reported, most people only want a notebook for Internet and e-mail use. You don’t need a Goliath of a notebook to get that done. Then there’s the battery-life issue…

The fact is, for most people who read our site, myself included, a netbook isn’t going to offer all we’re looking for all the time. But for others, or for when particular need arises, having a netbook that’s compact, has long battery-life and enough speed to do the Internet/e-mail thing, not to mention the price… it’s a win/win overall. Brooke Crothers at CNET had a recent change of heart regarding netbooks, thanks to their improved hardware, and he asks whether or not it’s time for Apple to finally take action.

Apple’s been rumored to come out with a tablet for quite some time, and while that product-type isn’t exactly typical of the company, it’s easy to understand why they would consider one. After all, Mac’s are known for being the prime machine for graphics artists, so what better platform for a tablet? But a netbook is something entirely different. Apple’s well-known for charging a premium for their machines, and netbooks from every-single company out there who produce them have the opposite goal… to sell the most affordable notebook – without sacrificing features too much – as possible.

As far as I’m concerned, though, Apple sells premium products, and it’s probably best that they remain as such. If they did release a netbook, it would without question be sold for more than typical netbooks, so what’s the point? It’s rare for a company that sells premium products to release something “low-end”, as it can damage their brand. You don’t see BMW releasing an affordable, smaller car. Ugh, bad example. Or Mercedes-Benz! Ugh, another bad example. And you certainly don’t see companies like Ferrari put their name on anything that will sell. Ugh, I give up. Maybe Apple should release a netbook.

People like cute, light, and cheap–especially in a laptop. This sentiment won’t be overcome, as Intel believes, by the emerging ultrathin laptop category, which ranges from about $500 to $1,000 (formerly called CULV or consumer ultra-low-voltage). Certainly not this year. Ultrathins are not different enough in appearance from a standard laptop and not cheap enough.