Apple slams netbooks as 'junky'

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Netbooks are junky hardware with terrible software, according to Apple’s chief operating office.

Tim Cook – filling in for Steve Jobs, who is on medical leave – said that Apple prefers to focus on quality.

“For us, it’s about doing great products,” Cook reportedly said during a quarterly results conference call.

“When I look at netbooks, I see cracked keyboards, terrible software, junky hardware, very small screens,” he added. “It’s just not a good consumer experience and not something we would put the Mac brand on. It’s a segment we would not choose to play in.”

Cook may dislike the cheap and cheerful devices, but netbooks have been propping up computer sales since the economic downturn kicked off - although Apple hardly needs the sales help after posting 15 per cent quarterly profit growth last night.

Cook added that Apple isn’t ignoring the sector, however. “If we find a way where we can deliver an innovative product that really makes a contribution, then we'll do that," he said, suggesting that if customers want a small, web-friendly computer, they should get an iPhone.

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