But Apple can't find the margins in the product line and the equation means that they have no offering for this huge hole in their lineup.
It won't have a good profit margin. Why should Apple waste time on it? They have many other products that are selling incredibly well (with much higher profit margins). It seems like Apple wants to work on those products instead.
Also, its not very good form to insult someone in a debate. It doesn't help further your point, and indicates that you don't have any additional items to add that will help further the discussion. And good discussion is what a lot of people come to HN for, not simply the news.
I don't think that satisfied tptacek. Which was how this went quickly down flamewar and troll territory.
Seriously, considering that my longer, and more thoughtful reply was rather trollishly shot-down as stupid and overly long, with no counter analysis provided by the complainant, I think I restrained myself rather well.
So in what way is not offering a netbook a method to maximize profit? Again you fail at offering absolutely anything of value.