Lion and MBA

I don't believe there's any official word on how they'll release it, but I can't imagine Apple would not make Lion available to the new MBAs somehow. A thumb drive makes the most sense, but it's all speculation.

I'm half expecting them to toss it on the Mac App Store for Air users A thumb drive install would be nice though.

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It is arguably cheaper for Apple to distribute software by way of a tiny read-only flash drive as compared to having to burn a DVD, spend money on ink, printing process, etc...

I bet you can buy it in the Mac AppStore and have the Option to get a CD or Thumb Drive via Mail or just an image to download.

Mike84 said:

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When lion is released will we be able to get a thumb drive for the MBA with lion on it much like how we get a thumb drive originally?

Click to expand...

Let's say for sake of conversation the answer is yes.

The even _more important_question is how much will the measley 2GB of ram SLOW DOWN you're normal usage?

Me? I exercised patience & waited a few extra days for a BTO with 4GB.

Why?

Because I knew I'd use it for far more than originally intended. Now I have no worries about memory.

fswmacguy said:

It is arguably cheaper for Apple to distribute software by way of a tiny read-only flash drive as compared to having to burn a DVD, spend money on ink, printing process, etc...

Click to expand...

An 8GB USB Flash drive costs about $10 (retail), while a Dual Layer DVD can be had for a fraction of that.
And there shouldn't be much of a difference in terms of packaging.

Offering 10.7 on Flash Drives might still be a good idea:
Apple offers a diskless computer. And with the MacBook Air's increasing mainstream appeal, more and more customers are going to be pissed off when they can't re-install their computer without buying additional hardware.

"Let me get this straight... your friggin' software is broken - and you're telling me I have to go purchase a $100 external thingy just to reinstall and fix that?"

I think it will have to be on a USB for MBA users. If they take out the SuperDrive as well for the MacBook Pros, then I'm sure the USB will be the best option.

AppliedMicro said:

An 8GB USB Flash drive costs about $10 (retail), while a Dual Layer DVD can be had for a fraction of that.

Click to expand...

I highly doubt that flash stick that comes with the MBA costs even close to $10.

Neolithium said:

I highly doubt that flash stick that comes with the MBA costs even close to $10.

Click to expand...

Of course not.
Apple won't be buying the things at retail price.
But I also highly doubt that Apple pay even close to the $0.60 or so per writable DVD.

Anyway you look at it: USB drives are way (!) more expensive than DVD media.