Apple Netbook To Challenge iPod?

I know how it sounds. But if the rumors are true, we are going to have a real iPod killer, and it won’t be ZuneHD or Nuviphone. It’s going to be Apple Netbook. Now these rumors are not completely new. For months, we have heard about how Apple is planning and not planning to dominate the netbook market. Steve Jobs is not really a fan of netbooks and doesn’t know how to make a cheap one. But since getting his health back in order, Steve has been working on new ways to expand Apple’s business. So it’s no wonder people are keep talking about the possibility of Apple working on a netbook.

But while we are dealing with rumors in the states, it seems in China Apple introducing a netbook in October is all but a foregone conclusion. According to a Chinese news source, Apple is in the process of testing Apple netbooks to release them just in time for the end-of-year holiday season:

Although there are many reports that highlight the new iPhone debut during the last month as well as Steve Jobs’ return, Jobs will not face any new product shortage, at least not for this year. Taiwan’s high-tech supply chain companies said Apple will debut its first netbook in October; Apple will pose itself to tackle the Christmas shopping season. Three corporations – Foxconn, Wintek, Dynapack have received direct orders from Apple.

Apple doesn’t seem to be a fan of how things are going in the netbook market, which is why it will go against the norm to give us a 9.7″ screen with this device (Kindle DX killer anyone?). And of course the device will cost more than a couple of netbooks. I am sure there are people out there who would prefer owning an over-sized iPod even if it cost $800. I personally have not been a real fan of netbooks. They are super portable but don’t give you too much in the performance department. Macbook Air beats all the netbooks on the market in the performance department and is just as portable. The netbook market has given laptop manufacturers a new life and as netbooks get better, the market grows even more. I would have no problem with Apple introducing an iPod XL, but it won’t be a netbook, and it won’t have to be.