Even though Apple is particularly unknown for low-cost personal computers, there are some evidences that the company is indeed preparing a system that is larger than iPhone, but is still smaller than MacBook. At least some believe that Apple is working on a netbook.

According to a news-story at The New York Times, a search engine company has spotted Web visits from an unannounced Apple product with a display somewhere between an iPhone and a MacBook. It is suggested that the device is the rumoured netbook by Apple, or, at least, a device that resembles a netbook. Theoretically, this may be a tablet PC-like device aimed at sub-$1000 (or higher) price-points, not sub-$500 price-points.

Apple itself has not confirmed or denied plans to release a netbook. During the most recent conference call, Apple’s chief exec Steve Jobs said that the company had certain ideas about netbooks, but did not elaborate.

“We’ll wait and see how that nascent [netbook] category evolves and we’ve got some pretty interesting ideas if it does evolve,” said Mr. Jobs.

Apple has always sold its products at price-points higher compared to rivals and its customers have been more than willing to pay premium for Apple computers or portable digital media players. Therefore, it will hardly be logical for Apple to introduce something aimed at consumers in budget for many reasons.

Still, Apple has numerous products that hardly fit into the company’s vision in its lineup: iPod shuffle is a typical example of a low-end music player, Time Capsule is a product aimed at a very small group of customers, XServe servers are hardly important product category for the company.

Tags: Apple, macbook