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Perhaps Apple should consider producing an 8.9-inch Mini Laptop?

I wonder how the manufacturers' profits on those sales compare?

Apple already has a 3.5 inch mini laptop. I hear it's doing well.

Oct 16, 08 - 09:34 am Comment from: Predrag

Perhaps Apple should consider producing an 8.9-inch Mini Laptop?

..."Mini-notebook shipments accounted for approximately 5 percent of U.S. mobile PC shipments and added approximately 1-2 percentage points of year-over-year growth." (Yesterday's MDN article regarding MacBook growth)

Assuming the first poster wasn't sarcastic, the answer is no. Sub-notebooks represent negligible percentage in today's notebook market. Demand is so small, and growth even smaller, it would be a colossal waste of Apple's resources to build a sub- 13" notebook just for a few hundred enthusiasts who want it.

And on the subject of the article, isn't it nice to see Apple dominating thoroughly all top ten lists in Electronics?

Apple won't ship junk, and that's exactly what those sub-$500 notebooks are. They're stripped down, under-powered, and really negatively affecting the public's perception about what a computer is worth.

What this list tells us is obvious.

Apple you need to come out with a $399 unit!

Maybe when snow leopard comes out and its not so bloated, and they make some headway with the cheaper chips.

Oct 16, 08 - 09:45 am Comment from: ElderNorm

I just checked out Amazon and looked at the top 25 items. Even more Macs and the funny thing is that the only other pcs there were the CHEAP mini pcs.

It seems Apple is right. There are two types of buyers. Those who are looking for a great product and those looking for the cheapest thing in town.......... One makes the company money (Apple) the other makes a razor thin margin and will soon have the other companies fighting to lose money just to keep market share.

As far as those people that say that who ever makes the most computers .... wins, well, I say that they are just clueless. Not someone I want to emulate.

Just a thought.
en

The world polarises between..

Apple Mac for QUALITY

Windows for really really CHEAP AND NASTY.

All the blathering from the mindless idiots demanding Apple compete there just makes me laugh.

:O

Oct 16, 08 - 10:11 am Comment from: Mr. Reeee

I wonder how many of those mini-PeeCees will still be running in a couple of years. They look like total crap.

Seriously, I've seen a few of those EeeeeK PCs around and their screens are so small that text is barely readable.

I'm sure for Windows #1 app, Solitaire, it's perfect.

Randiandian writes, "Apple already has a 3.5 inch mini laptop. I hear it's doing well." Yep. Got mine last week. 16 GB iPod Touch for under $299. I'm dating myself, but I recall when PCs were called "microcomputers". The Touch truly is a "micro" computer.

And how curious that the new Aluminum Macbooks, released only this week, are already at #8 and #9.

This is way off subject but it should be heard.

My buddy called on Sunday to say he's heading to Apple (Oakbrook, IL) to buy a Mac. I was excited, told him to get the iMac. I got a text later in the day. He said the store was so crowded he left and would order one on-line. I called today to hear if he's received it. The bonehead went Best Buy (must of missed the Mac section) and bought his kids a sninking Vista PC. Dumb-a**

Oct 16, 08 - 10:18 am Comment from: cptnkirk

@ Reality Check

I think you're wrong about how people use their MacBook (Pro). Many people's only computer these days is a laptop because they want the portability. I bought my first MacBook in 1998. I will never buy another desktop again. And I moved from MacBook to MacBook Pro four years ago. I design websites, and other artwork, edit video, write, create cds, run my business, and a huge viariety fo other activities. And I can do it anywhere! And I do.

I'm sure I'm not alone. Many of my friends and family like MacBooks because they take up so little desk real estate and can easily be put away when not needed.

WHo wants a behemoth of a desk top machine when my MacBook does everything and is so light and easy to take with me.

Oct 16, 08 - 10:22 am Comment from: DLMeyer

Hmm ... did I miss it? Or is the MBA not on that list? I thought it was selling "well"! Or is it merely selling well for an ultra-light? Not that this is a serious concern ... new models, especially those that have been anticipated for some time, tend to lead with a big burst of sales that could, as easily, have been spread over the past anticipatory period.
About the company the MacBooks are keeping ... I would not be surprised to learn that any one of the MacBooks listed contributes more to Apple's bottom line than the rest put together do to their own makers.

Oct 16, 08 - 10:25 am Comment from: DLMeyer

Raymond, you need to get out more. The vast majority of on-line posters are guys. If you really WANT to date someone, other than yourself, try a church group - your choice.

To DLMeyer:

From amazon.com:

37. Apple MacBook Air MB003LL/A 13.3 Inch Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive)

Oct 16, 08 - 10:31 am Comment from: Demon

iPod touch & iPhone does as much or more then most of the Mini Notebooks do. Just in a much smaller package with a better OS

@Tony

"Apple won't ship junk, and that's exactly what those sub-$500 notebooks are. They're stripped down, under-powered, and really negatively affecting the public's perception about what a computer is worth."

Not disagreeing that this is a space Apple likely won't target, at least not with a mini-laptop. However, how exactly are these things driving down the public's perception of what a computer is worth? They're cheap, and at least arguably do what they're intended to do. Besides, how much horsepower do you need for email or web browsing, or maybe the occasional spreadsheet or word processing work? These things are very obviously not intended for gaming or high-end multimedia work. They're basic computers to do basic work, and are highly portable to boot.

I don't want one, but I can definitely see where something like this could be useful for some people.

from 1% to 5% of the worldwide market in less than 6 months, i would argue that the netbook is a massive trend. it could easily have 15-20% of the worldwide market in a year from now. so i hope by that time that apple will be ready. a 10" 699$ quality-machine is possible. no need to "ship junk".

When I go to a restaurant, I expect the menu to have at least three hundred choices for every item. It may take several hours to order to figure out exactly what the differences are among entrees but eventually I'll get exactly want I want even at the risk of starvation.

</sarcasm>

"You idiots obviously don't seem to get it, so allow me to explain:"

Spare us your mental deficiencies, misplaced anger and arrogance.

Oct 16, 08 - 10:44 am Comment from: JAYGEE

I understand Apple don't ship junk, but that still doesn't justify the high prices for their Laptops.

Especially now there is no Firewire in the MacBook's.

I have a MacBook now, but I doubt I will buy another Mac, till the prices come down.

Oct 16, 08 - 11:09 am Comment from: thethirdshoe

The study says that too many chooses (sp?) make for an unhappy consumer.
Do you really need 12 different kinds of toilet paper? Or THOUSANDS of models to choose from? (not much difference here) The answer is NO.

People are happier when there are just a couple of items to chose from.

You have low medium and high. And each of those has a couple of selections. That's it. Simple.

It's a BIG waste of money for HP to have "100 different current models available (a low estimate) and sold just 10 units on average of each model". Waste money on design, waste money on manufacturing, waste money on stock keeping, waste money on training, and waste money on support.

Stupid. Simply Stupid. It hurts my head just to have to think how Stupid they are. Stupid is not good. Stupid is not something to be proud about. Think Republican. Ouch!

OT. Did you know that states with a lower average IQ vote Republican? It is a FACT. Sorry. Facts don't lie.

TGAFM,

You're a liar and/or an astroturfer paid by Microsoft and/or an ignoramus.

There are hundreds of potential MacBook and MacBook Pro configurations, jackass.

Build-to-order options for the MacBook include the ability to upgrade to 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, a 250GB 5400 rpm, 320GB 5400 rpm hard drive, a 128GB solid state drive.

Build-to-order options for the MacBook Pro include a 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the ability to upgrade to 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 250GB 7200 rpm, 320GB 5400 rpm or a 320GB 7200 rpm hard drive, a 128GB solid state drive.

On a bit OT but at least a non-political opinion (I think):

Amazon, please consider making a iPhone app (maybe a la eBay etc.) instead of a wap page. Heck you don't have to offer the mp3 downloads option in there (or keep it somewhat hidden), but I just think it'd be a great business for you and a service for many of us.

To krquet:

Good idea, but this might be a more productive way to voice your request:

http://aws.amazon.com/contact-us/

It would have sounded better to say: 5 of Amazon’s top 9 best-selling computers...

Oct 16, 08 - 12:43 pm Comment from: DLMeyer

NuBus, thanks for the confirmation ... it wasn't on that list. While #37 isn't in the single digits, it is respectable. Especially for a model designed more to open things up than to sell like blazes. It isn't a low-cost model - even for Apple - and it isn't a feature-rich model, it's a small-size and low-weight model.
That's The Feature you sell Ultralights on. a: how light is it, b: how many features can you NOT cut and still get it that small.
The result? Apple now has an Ultralight model. One that sells well, in its niche. Oh, and the new MB and MBP models are lighter, and stronger, AND more powerful ... partly based on the MBA's new technologies.
#37? Could be worse ... MUCH worse.

"Could be worse ... MUCH worse."

True dat:

100. HP Pavilion DV9820US 17-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-62 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

(source: amazon.com)

P.S. That must be one of HP's "THOUSANDS of individual models to choose from". Many others probably aren't even in the top 900.

There's the personal computer market in a nutshell. People who don't care what OS a computer is as long as its' under $500 and people who want the best personal computer and are willing to pay the right price for a stable OS, 200 walk-in stores around the country and the nicest looking computers (and of course, while a mac seems expensive, 4 years later, you can still sell it for $800). This is why Apple has 66% of the $1k PC market and WIn has fallen from 98% ti 34% in 7 years.

Now 3 in the top 10. Looks like that pent up demand from the day after launch is flushing through.

"Looks like that pent up demand from the day after launch is flushing through."


The list is updated hourly.

Now go play with your little friends. Adults are talking here. You can come back in a few years if you can prove you're mature enough.

"The list is updated hourly."

Yes and now there's still only 3 Macs on it. And what Macs are they? the old Macs being flushed out at a discount, $869 for the MacBook.

Seems like the world really did want cheaper Macs after all.

"Now go play with your little friends..."

That's the lamest retort I've ever heard to a post that was completely on point and updated the information in the story.

How long do you think this selloff of the old Macs will last my mature friend? 1 day, 2 days? a week?

And you're a troll. Fsck off.

"And you're a troll. Fsck off."

Thanks for demonstrating your adult maturity. You're contributing so much more than a poster updating the latest status of the list. Loser.

No, that would be Afib.

"How long do you think this selloff of the old Macs will last my mature friend? 1 day, 2 days? a week?"

And worse, how many people are buying from Amazon thinking they're getting the new Macs at a discount?

"No, that would be Afib."

No, that would be you.

I had no idea that Asus and Acer had taken over from Dell and HP as the US's top PC manufacturers. Even last week, Asus wasn't even on Gartner's US PC sales Radar. That's really going to turn the industry on it's ear.

Either that or this Amazon list tells you nothing about who's selling the most PCs in the USA.

@Meteoric Rise:

"Either that or this Amazon list tells you nothing about who's selling the most PCs in the USA."

That's definitely true (at least because of sales to businesses), but it may tell you something about who's selling the most PCs to consumers.

"it may tell you something about who's selling the most PCs to consumers."

I'm sure it tells you something, but I'm not sure that's it. My guess is if you buy a Dell, for the most part you go direct, and if you buy an HP you're in best Buy or Circuit City and the things being sold online through Amazon are from companies which don't have a strong nationwide dealer base and/or have a stronger online presence and/or charge less online than in a store.

Add to this that these are the discounted closeouts of the old product line in the top 10, you can bet that this is a short term distortion.

@Probably Not

I think you misinterpreted my assertion. I was referring to Meteoric Rise's comment about Asus and Acer, and meant to imply that if they're high on the Amazon list but not among the leaders in total U.S. sales it may (but does not necessarily) mean that they sell well to consumers. That's the problem with written communication, though you may think you have expressed something clearly it can often have other interpretations.