Apple

Rumors have popped up about Apple introducing a sub-notebook to compliment the MacBook Pro line some time at Macworld. However, Apple would be foolish to sell such a Mac when they can focus on more portable priorities. The iPhone should be Apple s focus, alongside an iTablet. Realizing I sound like a broken record now (has it really been 4 years?), I have a valid opinion on this matter that will indirectly bring massive improvements to the technological industry.

A Macbook Pro in MacBook has been desired for quite some time. The two lines compete with each other on such a similar scale, Apple would have to be mad to fuddle the product line even more. An iPhone in a similar (but not too close) UMPC form factor will cause three things to occur: reduction in Flash memory and touchscreen component costs, faster adoption to a touch based computing environment, and cooler, more efficient processors.

Laptop parts are in plentiful supply for manufacturers, but Solid State Drives and smaller LCDs are in short supply when compared to mobile parts. Laptops are quickly becoming desktops in mobile forms, and as such are acquiring desktop functionality. UMPCs and smart phones are an uncharted territory with parts that are still expensive. Releasing products that rely on this architecture will fuel adoption and lower prices as demand rises, thus making it more affordable for consumers.

Laptops have had their chance at computer domination and they ve done quite well, to be honest. They compete head to head with desktops on a per feature basis and, as high end components, reduce their power consumption and heat dissipation. This has put laptops at a fair advantage, and their only hindrance is price, which is going down and down. The same cannot be said for a UMPC like device.