I've always been a small notebook user. My favorite Apple notebook ever was my 12" PowerBook G4 1.5GHz. Perfect size, weight and my fingers flew on that keyboard.

Since then Apple really hasn't had anything that has satisfied my need for an ultra portable. I've owned a first generation MacBook and, although a great machine, I still found it rather large and heavy. I haven't owned a MacBook Air myself, but I've used one for a few hours and it comes very very close, but at $1799 retail, it's not in my budget. Apple does sell refurbished MacBook Air's for as low as $999, but that model still comes with a small & slow hard drive.

Which brings me to my latest experiment. My new Lenovo Ideapad S10. Complete with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, upgraded 2GB ram, 160GB hard drive, 6 cell battery and 10.2" screen, this was almost the perfect sub notebook I was looking for. Except for one thing. It obviously does not run Mac OS X.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Hackintosh! In under 2 hours I was able to get Mac OS X running flawlessly on the S10. Only two caveats I have run into: no ethernet or microphone. Since I use wifi at home and my *cough*jailbroken*cough* iPhone to tether when not on wifi, the lack of ethernet support wasn't a problem for me. I also have no need for the built in microphone.

With the help of YouTube videos created by EBA420, I was able to get Mac OS X installed and ready for use in under 2 hours. It's not difficult, just time consuming. There are a few terminal commands needed, but if you can type on a keyboard, you can run the commands.

I bought the Mac Pack to get both iLife and iWork '09 cheaper than buying separately which also included a full retail version of Mac OS X Leopard which I haven't used. So I don't feel bad installing a tweaked version specifically for the S10.

Let's face it, we all know Apple will be creating it's own netbook sooner rather than later. And if anyone can create the perfect netbook it will be Apple. Trackpad gestures are what I miss most about a Hackintosh netbook. Trackpad gestures on a small Apple netbook will be THE killer feature, especially with a slightly smaller keyboard that is the bane of most netbook users.

But until then, I will continue to use my S10. Great size and sleek design, it's so close to a real Mac netbook, but not quite.

In a rare candid letter to the public, Steve Jobs this morning revealed the actual reason for his gaunt look over the past year and quells any rumors of his eminent demise.

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first.

So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve

I don't care what is announced tomorrow at MacWorld, this is the best news any Apple fan could get this week.