Foxconn may have contract to manufacture Apple netbook

The Inquirer is reporting that none other than Foxconn Electronics may be manufacturing a netbook for Apple.

According to the piece Digitimes and several Russian hardware sites are quoting Chinese-language site Commercial Times, which in turn is quoting sources from the component supply chain. The sources indicate that Apple has struck a deal with contract electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry (a.k.a. Foxconn Electronics) to manufacture Apple netbooks.

Details are extremely thin, but it's not unrealistic. Apple has been looking very closely at the growing netbook market with some sources suggesting that Steve Jobs may be leading Apple's netbook efforts while working from home during his six-month hiatus. Foxconn has manufactured iPods, iPhones and MacBooks for Apple in the past, so it's feasible that they'd bid for the contract to build a netbook for Apple.

I just hope that the Apple netbook comes in at less than $500 - a psychological barrier for many consumers. But something tells me that it'll cost $599. Don't ask me why.

What's your take on an Apple netbook? Would you buy one?

Concept image: Isamu Sanada via Techeblog.