MacBook Air supplies dwindle, refresh likely next week?
updated 04:10 pm EDT, Wed October 6, 2010
May see 11.6-inch screen, Core-i CPUs
The release of a rumored MacBook Air refresh may be approaching, as supplies for current models are said to be dwindling rapidly. According to AppleInsider, major Mac retail outlets such as Amazon, MacConnection, MacMall and J&R Electronics are sold out of the 1.83GHz version of the normally slow-selling notebook. Two of the retailers are also listing the higher-end 2.13GHz system as out of stock. The drought technically began weeks ago, with low inventories at a number of vendors. Sources at Best Buy and Amazon are reporting that new supplies are not expected until somewhere between October 12th and the 16th, indicating a production gap that may foreshadow new hardware.
Apple is in the habit of mid-October releases; new MacBooks were announced in same month in 2008 and 2009. Shortages of the Air may support recent rumors that Apple is working on a redesign, likely with an 11.6-inch display size. Current models rely on a 13.3-inch format.
Some other rumored details of the new models include the presence of Intel Core-i ULV (ultra-low voltage) processors. They could alternately use AMD chips, though there is no confirmation of this. Likewise, there is no new word on the possibility of carbon fiber-based frame, which might contribute to a weight as low as 2.7 pounds.
New MacBook Airs could be launched alongside the iLife '11 suite. Both products are overdue for updates; iLife last updated in January 2009, and the last Air launch was in June 2009.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
I Like the MacBook Air
I like it the same way I liked the G4 Cube, it is "Gee Whiz" cool, but that is about it. If someone were to give me one, i wouldn't turn it down, I would just find that one special thing for it to do. Most of those special tasks can not be done with an iPad though....
Oh well