IDEAL MAC (OR ANY PC) NETBOOK.... |
Dec 22, 2008, 8:05pm
Since installing OSX on this MSi Wind I'm typing on, I've been involved in a lot of random discussion about netbooks in general, and Apple in particular. I was at Bump n' Grind cafe the other day and no less than four different people asked what the heck I was using, during my 2 hours sitting there having coffee and writing up some article ideas.
There's also been a lot of @ discussion and DMs on my twitter account about this computer.
One thing's clear - a lot of people would pay good money to get a true Apple netbook computer. They were all gee-whized over the size and portability of the MSi, and ironically enough a few were disappointed when they found out this wasn't an Apple product (weird!).
I've been thinking about this myself - it's obvious that Apple is missing the boat on netbooks, and it's equally obvious that if they made one, people would come. I remember how absolutely anti-phone Apple was for the few years leading up to the introduction of the iPhone - Steve Jobs was quite vocal about not wanting to get into that market - but once they did, it became their second (third? fourth?) coming. I bet many at Apple aren't kicking themselves for not doing the phone earlier.
Same deal with netbooks. Stevo has said publicly he doesn't like them, doesn't see the point, yada yada. But if Apple built a netMac, people would flock in droves. And the number one reason why isn't because it's a Mac IMO... the number one reason why would be because Apple's netbook wouldn't be hampered by Microsoft's absolutely stupid restrictions they put on the computers . In case you didn't know, Microsoft sells XP licenses to the current netbook makers like Asus, Acer, HP, MSi, etc at a super low cost, but only if the netbooks have the following restrictions: screen size no bigger than 1024x600; HD no bigger than 160gb; memory no more than 1gb; webcam no bigger than 1.3mpixel - and a few more things. If a Netbook exceeds these limits, the XP license cost goes up quite a bit.
Apple wouldn't have to worry about that. They own their own OS, and can do what ever they want! It would immediately set them apart.
So here's my ideal true Apple netMac computer, at various price points.
$500 1280x800, 10 inch screen, LED back lit 2gb memory 32gb SSD / 160gb 5400rpm HD WiFi g/b/n Multi-touch touchpad 2mpixel webcam 4 hour (real time) 4cell battery less than 2.5lbs SD card reader 2x USB, 1x Firewire (please bring this back, Apple) or better yet, a Firewire / eSATA hybrid plug for the growing range of portable SATA drives. No external monitor connectivity
$600 option all the above plus BT 3.0 (it's coming out soon) 6 hour (real time) 6cell battery 3x USB 1x Firewire / External monitor connections
$700 option all the above plus 64gb SSD or 320gb HD 3/4gb memory
Plus all of them would have Apple's magic touch and extras. Stuff we don't even imagine netbooks having right now - can't think of what, but Apple's sometimes good at that stuff.
Addendum: See what I mean?
Previous Ten Daily Rants |
Title |
Date |
Comments |
The continued fallout on auto gratuities |
5:35pm, 08/09 |
3 |
Final thougths on price gouging, auto gratuities coming soon |
12:50am, 03/04 |
1 |
The Real Reasons for Olympics Auto Gratuities |
7:20pm, 02/19 |
10 |
Vancouver Olympics - Nice Prices, Profiteer (gouger) Restaurant Listings |
12:15am, 02/18 |
9 |
More on Auto Gratuities |
6:45pm, 02/16 |
4 |
Price Gouging in Vancouver During Olympics (and Price Heroes!) |
12:20am, 02/16 |
25 |
Ideal Mac (or any pc) netbook.... |
8:05pm, 12/22 |
1 |
NetMacBook Hackintosh Update |
12:20am, 12/20 |
1 |
NetMac... er Hackintosh... er NetMacBook. Yeah |
5:20pm, 12/17 |
4 |
Balance Board Wii Game I'd like to see - Boxing! |
4:00pm, 07/26 |
0 |

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Mixelania Photos from Algonquin Park Photos from my trip to Algonquin Park this fall with my Mom and two brothers. War Stories Making Snow for the Fortress One of the worst jobs I ever had... till I got out. Webiffied Tools I Use The tools I use to build websites and lead a tech life.
iPod and iTunes Offline iMark's iTunes and iPod isn't iPlaying anything right iNow. Most Recent Songs Fiddlers Green by The Tragically Hip Around The Bend by Pearl Jam Here With Me (Rollo's Chillin' With the Family Mix) by Dido With arms open wide by Creed truffle pigs by Matthew Good Band
In the News
Burundi and Beyond - NY Times
Great article by Peter Meehan - provided some background.
St. Petersburg Times
Side mention in an article about good machines
AP Story on Espresso
Background and information provided
NY Times - Grinders Article
Especially proud of this one - got the reporter to focus on grinders
Globe and Mail
LOL - showing bad reporting, dude says I'm an American-based site!
The Olympian, WA
Talks about my love for the El Sal Siberia Pacamara
Seattle Times - Clover
Interviewed for comments on the Clover brewer
NY Times - How it Works
Background and information for various espresso machines
Time Mag Article
Just a brief mention, article about roasting beans.
NY Times
Front page article about consumers getting into specialty coffee.
Washington Monthly
Quoted reference to what I wrote in an article at CoffeeGeek.
USA Today - Barista Jam
Intereviewed for my thoughts on what the epitome of espresso is.
WSJ Article
The Wall Street Journal has interviewed me 3 times. This is the first time my name got in a story.
Reuters Interview
Interview with Reuters, Jan 2 - this is the USA Today version.
My Other Stuff
CoffeeGeek
Launched Dec 22, 2001, this is THE online community for espresso and coffee fanatics.
CoffeeKid Website
It's all new, as of March, 2002. My personal coffee obsession site.
WebMotif Services
My company's site - needs an update!
Amazon WishList
Hey, if you feel the need to buy me something, check here!
Daily Visits
enGadget
Great gadget site run by the guy who used to do Gizmodo.
Google News
This is how I get my daily news fix.
DPReview Forums`
The most active forums for digital photography online today.
Daily Zen
Need my Daily Zen fix!
Jalopnik
A blog about car stuff. Vroom Vroom.
MoCo Loco
An industrial design blog. Very cool stuff.
Friends and Family Plan
Beata Blog
Beata's got her own blog! She updates it most days.
Riddla on Flickr
Matt Riddle's flickr account, updated regularly
Irdy Photos
Irdy, my friend from Jakharta, on Flickr
Recent Acquisitions
Canon EF 24-105 f4 L Lens
The best lens I've ever owned. Super sharp and quick.
Canon 5D
A full frame dSLR, with luscious colour reproduction.
Alzo Digital Lights
Some amazing florescent cold lights for product photography
Canon Xsi dSLR
Amazing technology and image quality in a tiny package.
Canon 40D
Latest prosumer camera from Canon - a much better upgrade than the 30D
Fujitsu P1610
Great 2.2lb computer that does most of my travel / writing needs
28mm f1.8 Lens
A great lens for closeup work and full picture photography
Foodsaver Advanced
Finally got the right tools for freezing green coffee.
Canon 50mm 1.4
Most amazing lens I've ever owned. Produces stellar photos.
Canon 10-22mm
Super wide angle (full frame fisheye) zoom for my Canon 20D
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