Netbook vendors including Acer are set to take an each way bet by installing Windows and the new Google Chrome operating system according to Asian manufacturers. It is also tipped that HTC will launch a netbook type device.

Senior Acer management have confirmed to ChannelNews that the new dual netbook will be launched in Australia in the last week of August.

Bert Noah General Manager of PC Computing at Acer said "We believe this product will do extremely well. It will be interesting to see how consumers react to a dual netbook. The netbook is going into production in Taiwan in early August according to our schedules".

Other Acer management have said that if Google Chrome proves popular the Company will move to dropping the Windows operating system which could lower the price of a netbook by up to $75.

Both Lenovo and Acer will launch dual configurations as soon as Google Chrome is made available to manufacturers. Speculation is also mounting that HTC may enter the netbook market with a touch device that runs the Chrome OS according to sources.  The device which is set to be built around a 10" screen will incorporate new touch software running on the Google platform.

The device which will allow users to have access to WiFi and broadband via a built in SIM slot, is currently being costed according to sources.
The dual-boot netbook will run both Microsoft's Windows XP and Google's Android systems, the report says.

Since Acer still needs to pay licensing fees for Windows XP on the netbook, the product is unlikely to be priced lower than XP-only models, it adds.
Asustek and Micro-Star International are also said to be developing Android-based netbooks, but have no plans to launch them in 2009.

The China Times has renewed long-swirling rumours about an Apple netbook or tablet, claiming three Chinese makers, Foxconn, Wintek and Dynapack, have received firm orders from Apple for devices with a 9.7-inch touch screen. It predicted a retail price around US$800 (A$1030) and an October release.