No, this isn’t a price cut reflected on the Apple Web site. And it’s not much. But if you’re in the market for a high-end MacBook, every dollar counts. Besides, Apple will probably match the lower price.

At major resellers like Newegg, PC Connection (i.e., Mac Connection), and Buy.com the latest version of the high-end MacBook Air (1.86GHz, 128GB solid-state drive) is now selling for–hold your breath–$2,399 instead of the listed $2,499 on the Apple Web site. Not much. What is best described as a price snip rather than a price cut.

Listing for Apple MacBook Air (1.86GHz, 128GB SSD) on newegg.com

But my question is, did Apple green-light this? Or is this simply resellers adjusting their pricing to market realities. (I would imagine that luxury laptops like the MacBook Air are not jumping off the shelves at resellers these days, considering the state of the economy.)

Whether Apple green-lighted it or not may be immaterial, however, because (some? most? all?) Apple stores have a policy that stipulates: if you find an Apple computer priced lower at a major reseller (like Mac Connection), they will price-match it up to 10 percent of the listed Apple price. (This is the policy at the Apple Store that I frequent.)

Maybe there’s a trend here. Maybe Apple will even make an official price move. Makes sense, right? The economy is in a tailspin and consumers have less disposable income, so Apple caves and officially cuts prices before the scheduled introduction of new MBA models. But then again, this is Apple. It doesn’t have to stoop to unscheduled price cuts–so much for that fond hope.

There are renewed rumors about Apple working on a small ultra portable notebook. Despite Steve Jobs’ comment that he did not know a way of making a computer for $800 that was not a hunk of junk these rumors have persisted.

The latest rumors seem to have some traction though. According to China Times three players in system manufacture have received direct orders from Apple. Dynapack, Wintek, and Foxconn.

The new book should be about 9.7-inches (just to be different) will be a touch screen (ok Multi-Touch) and should be in the $800 range. It is interesting that Foxconn will be making the new book as Quanta has taken over much of the manufacturing for MacBooks.

Of course this is all rumor and might not be a netbook, ultrathin or anything at all resembling one. Apple has a history of doing their own thing and I cannot see them trying to enter and really compete in the netbook market. This is especially considering the “cheap” label that netbooks have in the market.