Laptops have changed that notion, as battery life, portability and usability carry far more weight in the buying decision than just pure ‘grunt power’.

This idea of usability has been added to by price, no more so than here in the UK where we seem obsessed with the idea of a bargain. I should know, I own four of the damn things – two running Windows and two running Linux – and use them all (well, to be honest I’ve retired my Eee PC 701)  – none of which replace the powerhouse desktop replacement I use for work and the serious ‘grunt work’.

I understand the market’s need for netbooks, if you don’t have one then you’re missing out on a 25 million-a-year gold mine, so if you don’t have one then you’re market share will drop. Then there is the money argument, as it’s a great way of getting a sub-£400 machine into stores without actually having to think too hard about it.

However, most of them will end up being used as deal makers by the Telcos looking to expand their Mobile Broadband offerings. Which is why the news that Steve Jobs is working on a netbook for Apple isn’t that much of a shock. I’m just curious as to the type of person, apart from the fan-boys, this type of device will appeal to? I can’t see Apple wanting to get into the cheap-n-cheerful market by bringing out a sub-£350 netbook, can you?

This means that any potential Apple netbook will be high-end, think Sony VAIO P Series, so closer to £800, which is where Apple’s fully-featured and faster laptops start. Then if it’s to appeal to the Telcos to bundle with Mobile Broadband packages, well surely that’s the job of the iPhone?

I’m keen to see what Apple decides is the right size, shape and price for it’s netbook and I’m sure I’ll wiling find a place for it in my collection, I just can’t help getting images of the G4 Cube popping into my head every time I think of the Apple netbook, though – another Apple device that was a great idea that no one, sadly, wanted to buy.