Apple Tablet

We have previously discussed the possibility of Apple producing a tablet-like Mac; I’ve called this rumored product a Media Pad. Now the folks at InfoTimes claim that Apple will release a Mac Tablet with a 9.7-inch touch screen later this year. According to InfoTimes, three different companies (Foxconn, Wintek, and Dynapack) will produce the device.

Steve Jobs has repeatedly said that Apple will not enter the netbook market because it cannot produce a quality netbook at a sub-$500 price. By using a touch screen, Apple could differentiate itself from the netbook market, and price the device higher. InfoTimes expects the new Mac Tablet to sell in the $800 range, and be available in October.

This isn’t the first time rumors have surfaced about a tablet-based Mac. So far, all of the rumors have been wrong, with each predicted date for an Apple announcement passing without any word from Apple. Is this rumor any different?

InfoTimes has a mixed track record. It isn’t really in the rumor business per se, but it does track and report on the electronics manufacturing and contracting industry in Asia. As such, it makes sense that InfoTimes could see a contract with Wintek, a maker of touch screen displays, and Foxconn, which among other businesses provides contract assembly services, as a sure sign of a new Apple device.

I think Apple wants to create a product that is not a netbook, but that could compete at the high end of the netbook market. An Apple tablet designed to emphasize multimedia usage would be a nice fit.

An October date is also feasible, provided the product is ready for sale at the same time. Apple would want any new fall products to be available for the upcoming holiday season.

What do you think?