"They had a sort-of false-start called the MacBook Air, something that I think everybody would agree is an example of just how much of a failure apple can produ

"They had a sort-of false-start called the MacBook Air, something that I think everybody would agree is an example of just how much of a failure apple can produce." The MBA is a lovely product. Easily the best of its breed (ultra thin full size) It just happens to be a niche market. It may very well be the same situation with a tablet. Small, but profitable, market. Keeps people in the Apple camp who might otherwise jump ship. This is as close as Apple gets to a loss leader type of product.