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?

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Mixelania

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