Apple slams netbooks as 'junky'

netbook

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.