Sources back new MacBook Air late next week
updated 06:50 pm EDT, Thu July 14, 2011
MacBook Air revamp narrowed to July 21 or 22
Extra tips late Thursday helped narrow down the launch of an updated MacBook Air. While some had already put it down to next week, AllThingsD understood the release would be "late" that week, on Thursday or Friday. The timing lends support to beliefs Apple would wait to ship both Mac OS X Lion and the Air at the same time.
The tip also corroborates some of the most recent rumors. Apple is expected to start with 4GB of RAM and 128GB drives even on the base 11-inch model, use low-voltage Core i5 and i7 processors from 1.6GHz upwards, upgrade to a Thunderbolt port, and regain the backlit keyboard.
It's unknown whether there will be any price changes, although a rumored $899 11-inch system will have been cast in doubt with processor, RAM, and SSD upgrades coming all at the same time. Apple's typical strategy for Mac upgrades has been to improve features with a steady price rather than to institute price cuts.
