“A tiny sub-notebook on its way from Apple Inc. is expected to re-establish the Mac maker as a leader in the field of compact computing while drawing parallels to the legendary PowerBook 2400 along the way,” Kasper Jade reports for AppleInsider.

Jade reports, “It’s been nearly ten years since the Cupertino-based company dabbled in the realm of sub-notebooks, but for a stint of several years in the early-to-mid ’90s, its PowerBook series help set the benchmark for ultraportable computing as we see it today.”

“It’s almost uncanny that Jobs, nearly ten years from the day the PowerBook 2400 first saw light, will revitalize Apple’s footprint in the sub-notebook sector with a petite MacBook that promises to be everything a modern day 2400 should be, and much, much more,” Jade reports.

Jade reports, “This new tiny MacBook, people familiar with the project say, remains in development ahead of its target launch date around the time WWDC rolls around mid-year. It will be both lighter and more compact than any other Mac portable Apple has put forth in recent years, bundling a display of similarly smaller proportions.”

“Also setting the new model aside from its existing counterparts, those same people say, may be the conspicuous absence of an optical disc drive. Although Apple’s original plans for the notebook called for its inclusion, reports are that the daunting ergonomics have recently driven company engineers to make a concession,” Jade reports. “At the same time, the new MacBook model is expected to introduce some features not yet available with Apple’s existing notebook offerings, such as onboard NAND flash.”

More in the full article here.

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