Apple netbook to be made by Foxconn?

(not actual rendering of new netbook)

It would appear that Apple is coming out with a netbook that will rival a netbook at lenovo and other similar brands, that are already available in the marketplace. Today’s tips Foxconn Electronics as shouldering ahead of rivals to win the coveted manufacturing contract. Citing sources from the component supply chain (the makers of illuminated Apple logos, perhaps?), Chinese-language paper Commercial Times claims the much-discussed Apple netbook is not only on the roadmap but seeing bids from OEMs.

According to the report, Foxconn - also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry - is already set to become Apple’s “major notebook shipment growth contributor” in Q2 2009. The company also manufacture the iPhone 3G for Apple.

Previous rumors have suggested that the Apple netbook may use an OLED display, potentially a 10-inch touchscreen provided by Wintek. No form-factor confirmation has been made, leaving speculation hovering between a traditional clamshell device or possibly a slate-format device with no hardware keyboard.

source:slashgear

MacBook Mini Photos Generate Speculation

A series of images from a Russian magazine which claims to depict a “MacBook Mini” have been circulating on the internet. The specs on the described machine as said to include the following:

- 10.4” WXGA display.
- 1280 x 768 pixel with LED backlighting.
- NVIDIA MCP79
- Intel Atom Z740 1.83GHz with 1MB L2 cache.
- 2GB DDR3-800.
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
- 64GB Solid State Drive.
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
- 1 x USB 2.0
- 1 x Mini Display Port
- Battery Li-Ion 5100mA

We don’t know what to make of the images, and have our doubts about the legitimacy of the images. Still, with rumors have been circulating that Apple will be entering the netbook market, it makes for interesting speculation. The machine would reportedly retail for approximately $899 in 2009.

source:macrumors

More Sources Point to a Touchscreen Apple Netbook in 2009

Dow Jones Newswire reports that Apple is indeed planning to launch a netbook computer with a touchscreen as soon as the 2nd half of this year. They cite "two people close to the situation" as sources.

The mini laptop computers will likely have monitor screens that are between 9.7-inches and 10-inches, one person, who declined to be named, said.
This adds credibility to yesterday's report that Apple had already placed orders for the screen with Taiwan-based Winktek.

Based on this new information, it appears that Apple is targeting a ~10" screen size for this Netbook. The addition of a multi-touch screen adds an interesting twist to the concept of a netbook which is traditionally a clamshell miniaturized laptop.

source[macrumors]

Could We See an Apple Netbook in 2009?

A story in DigiTimes suggests that there will be an Apple netbook released in 3Q 2009. The story states that Taiwan-based Wintek will supply touch panels for the netbook.

source[DigiTimes]