It's not just an SSD that's required, Apple's built-in flash memory chips are needed for this feature.
That's why only the 2011/12 MacBook Airs and the MacBook Pro with Retina display can support it, as these are the first models to have the custom storage. 🙁
It is the need for the Ivy Bridge chipset which makes the whole thing possible. 2010 Airs just doesn't have the hardware needed.
It's not just an SSD that's required, Apple's built-in flash memory chips are needed for this feature.
That's why only the 2011/12 MacBook Airs and the MacBook Pro with Retina display can support it, as these are the first models to have the custom storage.
EDIT: And I'd hardly call one missing feature from Mountain Lion 'abandoning' your MacBook Air. And no, Mountain Lion is not the same as Lion. It's Lion optimised and added to, much like Snow Leopard was to Leopard.
Yes, Ivy bridge needed but...
Is this feature disabled if using a 3rd party SSD instead of Apple's (like their silly-assed TRIM blackout)?
Power Nap requires "built-in" SSD storage because solid-state drives meant to replace traditional spinning hard drives have very different power requirements. So even if your (non-Retina) MacBook Pro came from Apple with an SSD, Power Nap remains unsupported.
Planned obsolescence. They want you to upgrade every 2-3 years. It's truly, "Think Different."
2 major features
PowerNap
AirPlay Mirroring
My question is, why should anyone upgrade to ML if I rarely use airplay mirroring and power nap is disabled? I lack absolutely nothing.
Can someone give me features in ML that didn't exist in Lion?
Try "Find My Mac" while it's sleeping?Sandy, my fault. My late 2011 Air does have Power Nap enabled. I am however curious... How do I know it works?
The reason is "silly-assed". That Ars review comment doesn't shed much light on anything. There are different profiles in Energy Saver preferences for battery power and mains power. If it was only about power consumption, Apple had the option of supporting Power Nap on mains power only, rather than exclude it altogether.Yes, but the reason is not "silly-assed". From The Ars review:
The reason is "silly-assed". That Ars review comment doesn't shed much light on anything. There are different profiles in Energy Saver preferences for battery power and mains power. If it was only about power consumption, Apple had the option of supporting Power Nap on mains power only, rather than exclude it altogether.