[doogald]

When he introduced it, Steve Jobs said that Apple worked for three years to perfect the iPhone before it came to market. It was probably similar for the MacBook Air. I am sure that Apple's R&D started working on something with a Netbook like device earlier this year, but to expect them to have anything new before Macworld 2010 is probably wishful thinking. Certainly before July. And they may decide that there is just not enough margin in the market to be worth their while.

[doogald]

When he introduced it, Steve Jobs said that Apple worked for three years to perfect the iPhone before it came to market. It was probably similar for the MacBook Air. I am sure that Apple's R&D started working on something with a Netbook like device earlier this year, but to expect them to have anything new before Macworld 2010 is probably wishful thinking. Certainly before July. And they may decide that there is just not enough margin in the market to be worth their while.

[Vincent Ferrari]

Originally Posted by Macguy59

I sometimes think articles like this are cries for help. Please make a Mac portable I can afford ! Why else chastise Apple for not competing in that space ?

BAM.

Well put ;-)

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by Vincent Ferrari

I had the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and I miss it terribly. It's a very useful little machine, actually. Is the browsing experience as good as it is on a larger screen? Nope, but you do get used to it after awhile.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Spooof

I don't get netbooks. I have a hard time using a 13" macbook. For getting things done a 15inch is all I can stand.

A netbook shouldn't be viewed as one's primary machine. It's for the crowd who want a small device that they can use primarily for browsing, e-mail, and IM. For everything else, larger and more powerful laptops and desktops still reign supreme.

I own an Inspiron Mini 9 and a MacBook, and when it comes to portability, the Mini 9 wins hands down. I'd have no hesitation taking it over the MacBook when travelling abroad.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by Spooof

I don't get netbooks. I have a hard time using a 13" macbook. For getting things done a 15inch is all I can stand. Who wants to surf on a 9 inch screen?

The only benefit I see of netbooks is their ultra portability. That said, I wouldn't want to use one on a regular basis. I'd rather haul around my 15 inch MacBook Pro.

[crimsonsky]

Originally Posted by Darius Wey

Agreed.



A netbook shouldn't be viewed as one's primary machine. It's for the crowd who want a small device that they can use primarily for browsing, e-mail, and IM. For everything else, larger and more powerful laptops and desktops still reign supreme.

I own an Inspiron Mini 9 and a MacBook, and when it comes to portability, the Mini 9 wins hands down. I'd have no hesitation taking it over the MacBook when travelling abroad.

And for those uses, the advantages of OS X don't really factor in. I tend to want EVERYTHING on my portable computer which is why I haven't seriously considered a netbook, although it sure would be easier on the pocketbook than another MacBook!

[TopDog]

A netbook is a laptop no. 2 that you take with you on trips where you don't want/need to work, but would like the possibility to write mail, upload some photos, blog, etc...

I'm right now on a visit to my mother in law and have just brought the Eee 901 with me. I can do emails, chat a bit and surf a little bit on the mobile phone, but it's not the same experience as a netbook.

The nine inch screen is actually big enough for casual surfing.

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by Macguy59

So you spent $200 - $300 for a bigger screen and keyboard for your phone ?

Did you really need help with that answer? OK, here goes....

Actually, I spent $200 (less than most netbooks) for:

• A much larger screen with more desktop-like resolution (800x600)
• A better keyboard (the Q9m already has a QWERTY keyboard, but not a numeric row or CTRL key for easy copy/paste)
• An extended battery that can recharge my phone
• USB ports that I can attach flash drives, full-size keyboards and mice to
• A VGA out port that I can attach a projector to
• A built-in trackpad (not very useful on a Smartphone, but it could be on a Pocket PC)

So it's a step up for my phone, not a step down from my laptop like a netbook is. (I do see the advantages of netbooks -- I'd love one for browsing while sitting on the couch, for example.)

Any other questions?

Steve

[Macguy59]

Originally Posted by TopDog

The nine inch screen is actually big enough for casual surfing.

I think a browser like the iPhones Safari and Opera Mobile would be a great option for these netbooks. That auto magically resize to fit the browser window. Multi touch touchpad would be nice to

[Macguy59]

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

Any other questions?

Steve

Just one. Has your sense of superiority caused an inner ear problem ? j/k . . . mostly

That was meant to be rhetorical. Wrong punctuation.

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by Macguy59

Just one. Has your sense of superiority caused an inner ear problem ? j/k . . . mostly

You ask a snarky question, you get a snarky response. I don't think that's a "sense of superiority", just turnabout being fair play.

Had you asked, "Why would you spend $200-300 for a Redfly?" the answer would have been far less snarky. (Have I said "snarky" enough yet? )

Besides, I always thought it was Apple people who had that "too-cool-for-you" sense of superiority. < donning fire suit >

Steve