Apple Working On XL Tablets With 13″ and 15″ Screens?

Leander Kahney ()

Used with a CC-license, thanks to Sean (aka perfect pixel) on Flickr.

Used with a CC-license, thanks to Sean (aka perfect pixel) on Flickr.

Extra-large Apple tablets with screen sizes measuring 13-inches and 15-inches have been spotted in China, and one was running OS X, according to Gizmodo.

Citing a “100% reliable” source, two prototype tablets were seen in a factory in Shenzuen, China. The touchscreen prototypes were made of aluminum and shaped like big iPhones, the source said.

One of them “was running Mac OS X 10.5.” When I asked, the source didn’t know if these were built for demonstration purposes, or if they were preproduction units. The company has a tight relation with Apple but “it’s not FoxConn.”

Many of the rumors surrounding the tablet have focused on a 10-inch model running the iPhone OS. But as we’ve noted before, Apple has made Snow Leopard a very touch-centric operating aystem, with scores of UI touches designed for fingers.

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Of course, Apple is famous for its rigorous prototyping process and always makes hundreds of variations of upcoming products before deciding on the final form factor. But many observers think it’s only natural that Apple will eventually offer tablets with several different sizes, just like it offers different sized MacBooks, though possibly not at launch.

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About the author

Leander Kahney

is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, and author of three books about technology culture: Inside Steve’s Brain, the New York Times bestseller about Steve Jobs; Cult of Mac; and Cult of iPod. Leander has written for Wired, MacWeek, Scientific American, and The Guardian in London. Follow Leander on Twitter @lkahney and Facebook.

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Posted in Apple, Hardware, News, Rumors |

  • Fuzzy1

    I’ve been watching this tablet stuff with interest. My first thoughts were the WTF is Apple thinking? No one wants a tablet. But then I think back and no one wanted 500 songs in their pocket until the iPod was introduced. Then, no one wanted a phone on their ipod until Apple showed us the way to want one.

    I am thinking this tablet factor will replace the Macbook line. My concerns? having it sit vertically while you work would obviously not be very ergonomic. So I’m thinking this may ship with a keyless keyboard. A smaller virtual keyboard/multitouch pad that can be plugged into the tablet when working vertically. Now I know Apple hates to design a product that requires a larger secondary device in order to operate completely but I suspect Apple will have figured this out before Steve pulls it out of his pocket and says “One more thing”.

  • Ty

    That looks like a pain to use and type on, and too bulky to hold for long periods of time. Doubt that that will be the final shape unless it has a device to sit upright built in.

  • http://www.splendeed.com Admin

    I’ve never bought into the device running the iPhone OS, simply because it is SO much less attractive to me if that were to be the case. I tend to be the Apple Marketing ‘Bullseye’. If it were to run 10.6 instead, it goes from being a curiosity for me to being an absolute must have. Hope I’m right!

  • CPDubbleU (twitter)

    I just can’t foresee myself buying a Tablet that runs the iPhone OS alone. A tablet with a 13″ or 15″ screen that runs Snow Leopard and iPhone apps that replaces the MacBook line would be the logical choice for me.

  • hyloka

    So Apple is well on its way to making its own big ass table? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZrr7AZ9nCY&feature=related

  • Hoo Flung Poo

    “Want to go to dinner tonight?”

    “Sure, where?”

    “How about the Slanted Door?”

    “What?!?! Did you say ‘slanted eye’, you round eye beyotch!!!”

    “Um, ok then, how about In ‘N Out burger”

    “In and out your fur burger? Count me in you sexy American gal”

  • Tony

    I’ve been waiting for an Apple tablet for 3 years now. Hope its soon – Thinking of buying Fujitsu tablet with 13″+ screen. Would love to see a tablet with Apple quality. Need it to run PC music software. Any follow-up since August?