American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu is reporting that Apple is working on a NAND flash-based Apple sub-notebook. Little information is available on this new notebook but it is expected to be introduced in the second half of 2007. It’s not clear if it would use a hybrid drive (combining Flash memory with a traditional hard drive) or a solid state drive although the latter seems more likely at this time. Unfortunately, no specs or further details are currently available.
Wu also confirms earlier rumours of a continued shift towards Flash memory for the iPod lineup. Despite the rapidly falling prices of Flash memory, the transition to an all Flash iPod lineup is not likely to happen until late 2007 or 2008. Apple has found that there remains significant demand for higher storage capacities which can only be met by hard-drive based models at this time if pricing is to remain attractive to customers.
Lastly, Wu also added his voice to the rumour that a widescreen video iPod would only ship after the release of the iPhone in June.