Has the netbook craze reached Apple? Or more of note, can Apple really get involved in a trend that is based upon low-priced computers?

We’ll see. According to the Dow Jones Newswires, Apple will be launching its version of a netbook possibly by the second half of the year.

Seems like every year we get big announcements out of Cupertino around early September, and it seems their product info gets leaked a lot, so we’ll be looking forward to seeing what arrives from Apple around that time. From what Dow Jones’ sources are saying, it’ll be a computer featuring about a 10-inch touchscreen—an iPod touch on steroids, perhaps?

We know that Apple already can do the mobile computing aspect of netbooks, a la the touch and the iPhone (can we just call these mini-netbooks?), and we know Apple can do the lightweight and portable aspect of netbooks, a la the crazy thin Macbook Air.

Now netbook affordability, that’s a different story. Even the new Mac Minis start at $599, while some of the latest netbooks coming out are more in the $300-$500 range. Can Apple get there and maintain its typical product slickness and functionality? Are people going to pay a few hundred dollars more for a beefed up iPod touch?

Sure, we’re all for a larger touchscreen. Maybe this is a way for Apple to truly get its foot in the door of full-fledged home control, where touchscreens tie all the easy operation together. So, are you intrigued by an Apple-stamped netbook?

Via: Gizmodo

Arlen Schweiger - Editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen writes about home technology installations and product news and reviews for electronichouse.com and Electronic House magazine.