8 Ways The Apple Netbook Will Be Different

Apple is set to release a netbook with a difference, sometimes this year. We can be sure of a few things though, including the fact that it will NOT be called a Netbook by Steve Jobs and that it will almost certainly be a niche player rather than a mainstream device.

All in all you can expect Apple's netbook to wow us with a device which will be like no other. We've identified 8 aspects where Apple is expected to mark its difference with the rest of the field although a revolutionary new laptop with no keyboard is not expected to be part of the plan.

1. It will be classier

By classier, we mean using "extensive use of premium materials" and great aesthetics akin to Apple's Mac Book Air. Thence, we can expect an ultra slim chassis, probably Apple's thinnest ever, made up of aluminium, which will ooze quality and exude class. A far cry from the likes of Asus' EEE PC.

2. It will be way more expensive

Unsurprisingly, Apple's netbook will not come cheap. Apple's cheapest Macbook comes in at £719. We suspect the Netbook version will cost the same as Apple will want to link it with the Mac Book Air, not the polycarbonate 13-inch Apple Mac Book.

3. It will NOT run Windows

Unlike 99 percent of other Netbooks, Apple's will be the ONLY one to run Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard in the world.. legally that is. But since Apple will use an x86 platform, expect it to be compatible with Windows 7 and Vista out of the box. Parallels anyone?

4. It will have a touchscreen

That's what the rumours say. A 10-inch touchscreen LCD display is expected to grace the body of the new Apple Netbook with some interesting results. We expect the device to have a thin edge with some control buttons and it should not come as a surprise that it will be a multitouch one. The other feature we expect the touchscreen to exhibit is a toughened glossy screen.