Rumor: PB orders twisting in the wind


Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has landed orders from Apple to manufacture the 12-inch PowerBook unveiled by his Steveness earlier this month at the Macworld San Francisco, reported the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (no link available). The write up pegs shipment volume at 300,000 units a year. The company also produces iBooks for the US vendor.

ECS purchased AlphaTop Computer -- the original OEM for Apple's consumer portable -- and that company's contract to manufacture iBooks.

IGM has previously reported, again, quoting DigiTimes, that Compal and Quanta is making the new 12-inch PowerBook.

Editor's note: Either someone is purposely stirring the pot (ie Apple) or Taiwan's media is as hair brained as these stories would seem to indicate. I'll put my money on Apple trying to muddy the waters because they know Taiwanese companies "leak" secrets like they're going out of style.

The question of what Compal and Apple are doing together still remains. Comments anyone?