Apple dismisses laptop/tablet hybrid idea

[siopao1984]

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Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, has dismissed the idea of developing a laptop/tablet hybrid, claiming it would compromise both products.
Cook, who took over the top job from Steve Jobs last year, said that a combination of an iPad and MacBook Air would mean trade-offs would need to be made, and the resulting product would not please anyone.

It is not surprising that Cook is against the idea, given the immense success of the iPad range. Messing with that formula could be the doom of the product, rather than the innovation some think it is. That said, if other companies like Asus and Intel manage to make it work then Apple could miss a major opportunity to rule yet another market.

“We're not going to that party,” Cook said. “Others might from a defensive point of view.” It appears that Cook thinks that the only way rivals can topple Apple from its position in the tablet market is to launch products in a different sector altogether, but Microsoft and Intel have a different view, believing Windows 8 tablets can lower the iPad's market share considerably by the middle of next year.

Cook also commented that he hates lawsuits, alluding to recent legal wars with rival smartphone and tablet manufacturers, including Samsung and Motorola. His comment suggests that he may be willing to settle the disputes, particularly now that Motorola has won a preliminary IDC ruling over Apple's alleged patent infringement.

Source: BBC


Read more: Apple dismisses laptop/tablet hybrid idea by VR-Zone.com

[jnom]

Hmmm.. I think that's the next progression anyway. Netbooks will be dead in 2-3 years and tablets lack full functionality. People are actually attaching keyboards to tablets anyway. The only solution is to merge both platforms and offer it as cheap as possible. Now its just too pricey for most people.
Maybe Cook is not as innovative as Jobs and wants to play it safe.