Tablet rumors drive Apple stock to record high
updated 03:30 pm EST, Thu December 24, 2009
Analysts consider stock undervalued
Apple stock (AAPL) on Thursday surged to a new record high amid rampant rumors surrounding the unconfirmed tablet device. Shares reached past $209 in late day trading, up approximately 10 percent in a single week. The stock has more than doubled in value since it bottomed out around $78 in January of this year.
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster earlier this week adjusted his forecast for Apple stock, claiming that previous performance models have ignored the Apple tablet. Munster places the odds of a January launch at 50 percent, although the company is also expected to introduce a camera-equipped iPod touch or updated Apple TV sometime early this year.
A recent leak suggests Apple's upcoming event is scheduled for January 26th at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco. The sources anticipate a "major" product launch, although details were not provided regarding the specific device.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
Help me
I'm still trying to understand the business model here. Maybe there just isn't enough information out there yet about the iTablet-thingie. From what I've read, it sounds like this thing is going to be either a 7 or 10-inch tablet that costs at least $700 that runs a version of the iPhone/iPod touch OS, that will have some sort of mobile internet service.
Assuming all of the above is true, please explain to me why I would want this. iPod touches start at $200 and would do everything, except it has a tinier screen. For the tiny-screen averse, you can route the video to a TV screen and watch the video there. For $300 more you get a Macbook, which has a 13.3 inch screen, a physical keyboard and the latest version of OS X - allowing the user to run different web browsers, flash, open office, dashboard widgets and on and on.
Don't get me wrong. I want to get excited about this product. I think it has a lot of potential. I'm just not seeing the desirability of the product designed given the products presently available at the suggested price range.