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Manila Bulletin devider Technews devider Apple's New iBook?

Apple's New iBook?

Published Jul 3, 2025 10:15 am
Have you heard about the new iBook?
Remember when Asus introduced the eeePC and started the whole netbook craze? For those who don't know, the eeePC is a small, affordable laptop with a 7-inch screen and low-powered processor, and runs Linux. Other computer companies followed suit and started using Windows on netbooks. Netbooks are basically cheap, portable computers with weak processors and small displays. I loved mine because it ran Linux instead of Windows. But now, the netbook category has died because of the iPad and MacBook Air (and other tablets and ultrabooks).
There's a rumor that Apple is planning to release a new Macbook with an iPhone/iPad A-series processor that'll cost less than the entry-level MacBook Air. The current A17 Pro that powers the iPad Mini is a pretty powerful processor (it runs the iPhone 15 Pro models). If they use this on a new netbook-like computer, it could sell like crazy! Imagine - an iPad Mini-sized Macbook without the multi-touch screen, an A18 Pro, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, a USB-C 3.2 port for power and data (thunderbolt support is optional), WiFi, Bluetooth, Touch ID, a trackpad, and a FaceTime camera, all for under $600 (plus $100 for 5G connectivity). That's a winner! Apple could even bring back the iBook category for this.
Apps that run perfectly on the iPhone 15 Pro, like basic photo editing and video editing software, would work just as well, if not better, on this iBook!
This new iBook would be the perfect portable device and would pair perfectly with an iPad as a secondary display! Since it runs MacOS, doesn't have a multi-touch display, and doesn't use the M3 or better processors, the MacBook and iPad markets won't compete with it. But if the iBook eats up the Macbook and iPad markets, it's better for it to be cannibalized by another Apple product, right?
I can see this iBook being a popular choice for schools (students and teachers). Heck, it would be perfect for the Every Day Carry (EDC) bag! Personally, I see myself carrying one and docking it when I get to the office.
Apple, how about you call this new device the iBook? Maybe the 'i' could stand for iPhone or iPad A-series processors. Imagine 8-inch and 11-inch iBook models priced at $600 and $750, respectively. I think they'd sell like hotcakes! Haha!
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