Apple Tablet PC is real, says Asus
November 7th, 2007 by Rory Reid
AppleSource's sister site Crave hangs with people in high places -- which is how they get exclusives and free food. A few weeks ago over a civilised dinner with Asus and angling for cool stories they were told in a very hushed manner: "Asus is helping Apple build a Tablet PC."
Reported from Crave:
We're tempted to ignore all Apple rumours because there's just so many of them, but this rings true because Asus is Apple's contract manufacturer. It's one of the companies responsible for building the iBooks, PowerBooks and MacBooks of this world, so when their guys tell us they're building an Apple Tablet, we believe them.
We checked back with our source at Asus on a different day and they confirmed that the Apple Tablet will not be based on existing Asus designs such as the R1. It will come from a completely new blueprint, possibly based on the patent Apple filed back in May 2005. We're guessing it'll be based on Intel Core architecture, a tweaked version of Leopard, and have all the multi-touch, CoverFlow goodness we've seen in the iPhone and iPod touch.
So, can Apple turn the Tablet PC into a success when previous attempts have failed? The short answer is 'yes'. Any company that can make a mobile phone with no buttons, no picture messaging, slow Web access and no video capture into the most desirable phone on the planet can easily make tablets popular.
Sadly, we've no word on when we can expect the Apple Tablet PC, nor what the final specs will be, but you can bet your bottom dollar it's being built as you read this. Mac fanboys rejoice.
Do you think Apple should create a Tablet PC?
Sherene, did you get an email receipt when you bought the product. I am assuming it is an iTunes voucher. I would suggest you reply back to the email you received when you bought the itunes voucher and explain the situation. 
Jamie
November 14th, 2007 at 10:16am
I think they should as they need to make inroads into business, they need machines that business users can tout around and be able to use a stylus or whatever for taking notes, etc. Mac OS X needs Microsoft to help them get those inroads with regards to Office and support for exchange server, etc. Apple need to comply with what is already there and if that means playing coy to Microsoft, then so be it, don't try to re-invent the wheel, just do it better. The iPhone should be made more office friendly also. Personally give me a Mac Pro, I don't need that much portability, I need power for video editing.