14 DAY TRIAL // The netbook market could soon receive a much-awaited breath of fresh air as ongoing rumors suggest that the Cupertino, California-based Apple is currently developing a new lightweight, small-sized portable system that is neither a new iPhone nor MacBook model. There are several rumors that point out the same outcome, namely that Apple is planning to give the recently flourishing netbook market its best shot.
Just yesterday, we were telling you of the reports on upcoming netbook systems that wouldn’t be powered by the same Intel Atom processor that is currently featured in almost every such device available on the market.
According to chip maker ARM, its processors will soon be powering several new netbook systems that could make their debut even before the end of this year, thus providing users with an alternative to Intel-powered solutions on the market. If anyone, Apple could just be among the computer system vendors to launch one such device, especially since its OS X operating system is known for supporting ARM's processors architecture.
In addition to the reports of upcoming ARM-powered netbook systems, a search engine company, which has chosen to remain anonymous, reported that it had recorded traffic made from a product that had a Mac signature. The portable device, claimed as being made by Apple, allegedly featured a display larger than that of an iPhone, but smaller that of a MacBook system. This could mean that Apple is currently testing a netbook-like computer device that can browse the Internet.
The idea of Apple building its own NetMac system is more than interesting, as it can set the stage for a new type of portable device, one in which Intel's technologies are no longer included. Furthermore, given Apple's reputation in designing computer devices, we might as well expect an interesting device that could seriously threaten the position of ASUS' Eee PC in the netbook market. On the downside, Apple is not really renowned for manufacturing cheap products, which can only mean that, if a NetMac system does surface on the market, it will most likely be priced over most netbook systems.