Apple's touch screen tablet computer coming in October

The long-talked about Apple (AAPL) tablet computer may be on store shelves in three months, PC World reports. Apple placed orders with manufacturers that suggests the device is being built, according to a report in Info Times.

A tablet would be Apple's entry in the fast-growing netbook segment of the personal computer market. Apple CEO Steve Jobs had publicly denied the idea that Apple planned to produce a netbook. Operating chief Tim Cook had called netbooks "junky" (meaning, presumably, that Apple's version of the netbook would not be). Piper Jaffray Analyst Gene Munster said in March that Apple would begin selling a touchscreen device next year.