Steve Jobs to unveil a tablet upon his return?

OK, let's not mince words here.  I've had Apple netbook/tablet on my brain for weeks.  We know there is a 10-inch touch screen en route to Cupertino.  Three different reports from reputable sources said so.

This isn't just any netbook screen, it is a touch screen, which implies tablet of some sort.  It may or may not have a keyboard.  I'd actually prefer a real one, even if it is exactly like the diminutive Apple Bluetooth Wireless one which I use daily anyway.  That is, unless Apple is going to change the world with some new speech recognition or other input method we've never even thought of before...  Nah, gimme a keyboard.

So we know the screen is going to be 9.5-10 inches diagonal.  That is about the size of the screen on everyone's favorite Eee PC 1000HE.  I've put my Apple wireless keyboard over the Eee PC and it really isn't a bad fit.  As people who use it know, the keyboard is extremely thin and light and works beautifully.  It is nothing short of the best keyboard I've ever used.

I don't see Apple offering a 92% sized keyboard like the Eee has.  Frankly I hope they don't.  That 8% kills my typing speed faster than Carpal Tunnel. Some space around the edge gives them a little room on the side of the screen to add an iPhone-like Home button.  Or even some gaming controls.

So that's width.  For depth, I think they will make it much tighter than everyone expects.  Since the keyboard is the main constraint in my little world, the screen doesn't have to expand beyond the depth of the keyboard.  Take a look at the Sony P.  Notice that they thought of the keyboard first then designed a screen around that size.  I think Apple could be thinking the same thing. 

Also, I can put my Apple Wireless Keyboard in my cargo pants pocket pretty easily.  Its not comfortable and it would destroy the lines of any suit so this wouldn't be the preferred mode of transportation.  It just can be done is what I (and Sony is with me on this) am saying.

Next, let's talk about thickness.  Maybe you've seen this trend too, but I've noticed that Apple likes thin.  As a matter of fact, they love it.  And keeping this thing thin will be a high priority.  Again the Apple keyboard comes in very svelt and light.  I think Apple will even be able to shave some pounds and inches off by going away from the AA batteries and going with an integrated Lithium Ion.  Here's a picture of the thickness we are talking about.

The CPU and screen will have to house everything else and still be as thick as a normal Netbook LCD screen. You simply cannot currently do that with an Intel Atom chip and still have all of the other things you need to run a computer.  Even the special Apple "call in another favor to Intel" chip can't be that thin.  The MacBook Air is as thin as it gets.

ARM chips however, can be made into super thin devices.  I think Apple has a stripped down version of Snow Leopard that will run on ARM.

ARM chips also are an order of magnitude lighter on power, allowing super small batteries to be used, for a long time - the kind of time you'll need with a small tablet type of device.

This device woudn't need a touch pad or mouse because the screen is multi-touch.  In fact, the keyboard could be removable and a soft keyboard like the iPhone's could become available.

That's just my take on this device.  I haven't yet heard any leaks from Apple which could help confirm an idea.

The Wall Steet Jounal says Steve Jobs is working on this device at home.   Perhaps he'll share it with the world upon his return.