MacBook Airs On Display at Apple Stores, Disassembly Photos

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

We've had reports of several Apple Stores setting up their MacBook Air displays overnight, confirming that today (Friday) is the retail launch of the MacBook Air.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/02/01/062750-macbookair_300.jpg

Overnight: Michigan Ave. Chicago
New York City's 5th Avenue store is open 24 hours and they had their MacBook Airs back on display as of midnight. They were not yet selling MacBook Airs, however.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/02/01/062750-2234288544_5c17c72802_300.jpg

5th Avenue. NYC
Individual store availability may vary, so readers should contact their local stores for availability.

Meanwhile, iFixit provides (http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/First-Look/Mac/MacBook-Air) a detailed disassembly of the MacBook Air. The breakdown takes the MacBook Air down to its components, and shows off how to remove the internal hard drive.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/02/01/062531-24-2_300.jpg

A few interesting notes:

- A hard drive swap is definitely possible, but it's no longer a trivial procedure as in the MacBook.
- iFixit expects that 3rd party replacement batteries will be available soon.
- Same multi-touch controller chip as the iPhone and iPod touch.



Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/01/macbook-airs-on-display-at-apple-stores-disassembly-photos/)

[Zwhaler]

I'm going to the one in Tokyo (Ginza) tomorrow, hopefully they'll have it.

[FatMax]

So maybe we´ll have the chance to turn our photos around on the iphone in a future firmware update ? Interesting..

[timsutcliffe]

That's nice for you guys in the States. Hopefully we'll see them over here at some point.

[alec]

What's the point of being able to swap out the hard drive though right now? Isn't 80 GB the biggest SSD right now?

[Viddrumr32]

i hope so. i guess we'll see in a few weeks when they finally release the SDK

[arn]

What's the point of being able to swap out the hard drive though right now? Isn't 80 GB the biggest SSD right now?

64GB SSD and 80GB HDD are the options now. But people might want to replace their HDD to an SSD down the line when SSD becomes cheaper.

arn

[gcmexico]

I hope those MBA haters will now shut their mouths...in the future I will be able to replace my hard drive and battery...great news!!!:cool:

[shamino]

- A hard drive swap is definitely possible, but it's no longer a trivial procedure like in the MacBook.
It still looks easier than in my iBook. Looks easier than the procedure in PowerBooks and MacBook Pros as well.
What's the point of being able to swap out the hard drive though right now? Isn't 80 GB the biggest SSD right now?
What if the drive breaks? If the repair isn't covered by warranty (and even if it is, if you don't trust Apple with the data on the bad drive's platters) you may want to replace it yourself.

And larger-capacity drives fitting the space will certainly be available in the future.

[aricher]

Who took the Michigan Ave. pic? Brave soul, the weather here in Chicago is truly awful right now, blustery snow piling up everywhere.

[Sbrocket]

- Same multi-touch controller chip as the iPhone and iPod touch.

People take note: When the same multi-touch capabilities aren't retroactively rolled out over past generations of MacBooks and MacBook Pros once they get the new multi-touch trackpads, this is why. It isn't the same hardware as the trackpads right now.

Just a note, I'm sure we'll get complaints anyway. :p

Completely unrelated: Why must Mail.app be so slow in updating my RSS feeds? :(

[IDANNY]

would the 80gb and the 64 ssd have the drives in the same place ?

[NC MacGuy]

would the 80gb and the 64 ssd have the drives in the same place ?

Looking at the disassembly pic's it doesn't seem like there's anywhere else with space it can go.

[nagromme]

would the 80gb and the 64 ssd have the drives in the same place ?

Yes.

I'm wondering if that foam is glued to the drive, or if you can re-use it?

(Most people who swap will be replacing with SSD and not care about cushioning though.)

[wordmunger]

Can anyone tell from the disassembly pictures if it's really necessary to have such a wide bezel. I'm just wondering if it would have been possible to create this machine with a slightly smaller footprint.

[nagromme]

Can anyone tell from the disassembly pictures if it's really necessary to have such a wide bezel. I'm just wondering if it would have been possible to create this machine with a slightly smaller footprint.

I'm guessing the reasons are:

* The ports--they need the full space and have to be beside the keyboard rather than below it, to maintain the thinness

* Ditto for the Magsafe connector?

* Width of the unit allows a bit larger, longer-lasting battery than a smaller machine would have

I don't think the screen itself requires that width (except for the cam/mic/light sensor), I think it's the bottom half that does.

PS, does the Air have a sudden motion sensor? Keynote summaries said so, but I've seen nothing from Apple to suggest that.

[brad.c]

Hmm. How are they securing the MBA from theft without the security slot?
Suction cups?

[nagromme]

Hmm. How are they securing the MBA from theft without the security slot?
Suction cups?

I don't think they use the lock slot on other machines, so much as electronic devices. In this case, via the USB port apparently.

[tothelimit]

when someone gets a chance to check them out at the store today can you comment on how the MBAs are being tied-down to the display tables. in that video from the 5th ave store it looks like a pass through USB lock - but i'm interested to hear if that is actually the case, and if apple plans of selling these (how much?) etc...

please let me know.

thanks ;)

[sys0p]

Just phoned the Apple store at 5th Avenue (NY) and they won't sell them today ... just on display ... weird ...

[justflie]

The battery swap looks pretty easy to me, according to Gizmodo's video. Doesn't get toooo much easier than a screwdriver.

[thx1138]

I wonder how they're securing these. I've done merchandising for Apple and they usually use a security cable in the ethernet port. Even with the adapter the USB port won't work for security.

[kuwisdelu]

when someone gets a chance to check them out at the store today can you comment on how the MBAs are being tied-down to the display tables. in that video from the 5th ave store it looks like a pass through USB lock - but i'm interested to hear if that is actually the case, and if apple plans of selling these (how much?) etc...

please let me know.

thanks ;)

I heard from another thread that it is indeed something like that, but instead of being a true lock, a (very, very) loud alarm goes off should it be disconnected. Don't know if that's true, though.

[Sandy Santra]

To answer the security question first: two white cables fastened together for most of their length come up through a hole in the display table(s) behind each MBA. One is the power cable, the other is a dongle that not only plugs into the USB port (for theft protection) it allows for a device to be plugged into it. (Sorry no picture for you!) It's the same sort of alarm system for other products there, except it triggers when the cable is removed from the USB port.

As far as stock goes, they have 4 of them at 5th Avenue NYC. They have NONE for sale (either sold out already, or just don't have the units yet).

[matthewHUB]

I wonder how they're securing these. I've done merchandising for Apple and they usually use a security cable in the ethernet port. Even with the adapter the USB port won't work for security.

looks like they're using USB alarms. unplug it and you'll know about it. you can get them if you do a search.

[ncbill]

2009 is the earliest a higher-density single-platter 1.8" drive is expected (120GB per platter).

A 128GB 1.8" SSD should be available by the end of this year,

But since a 128GB 2.5" SSD currently costs over $3,000 retail, it's more of a "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" option.

People are WAY too optimistic about the price on high-capacity SSD falling quickly - there is little demand for high-capacity SSD outside of "ruggedized" military-style applications (not a price sensistive market)

For the forseeable future, choices for MBA storage are limited to Apple's offerings.

It still looks easier than in my iBook. Looks easier than the procedure in PowerBooks and MacBook Pros as well.
What if the drive breaks? If the repair isn't covered by warranty (and even if it is, if you don't trust Apple with the data on the bad drive's platters) you may want to replace it yourself.

And larger-capacity drives fitting the space will certainly be available in the future.

[InLikeALion]

- Same multi-touch controller chip as the iPhone and iPod touch. Link[/url]

This is why current MBP's and MB's will not get multitouch. It's a hardware upgrade - not just software. I figured this would be the case.

Edit: Sbrocket beat me to it.

[Manatee]

Hmm. How are they securing the MBA from theft without the security slot?
Suction cups?
Customers at the Apple Store are upscale, peace-loving, pseudo-beatniks. They don't steal stuff.

[Bob Knob]

Can anyone tell from the disassembly pictures if it's really necessary to have such a wide bezel. I'm just wondering if it would have been possible to create this machine with a slightly smaller footprint.

My very limited connection has said the main reason is to stiffen the display.

[sushi]

I'm going to the one in Tokyo (Ginza) tomorrow, hopefully they'll have it.
Cool.

Please let me know if they have them on display.

[thx1138]

looks like they're using USB alarms. unplug it and you'll know about it. you can get them if you do a search.

I can tell you from experience that these alarms will be going off constantly.
People are going to be picking the MacBooks up, and flipping them around. That'll be enough to tug on that connection and set off the alarm. This probably doesn't mean much to a customer but for the employees it means crawling under the table and constantly resetting the alarms. I guess that's the price you pay for a clean uncluttered look.

[sterlingindigo]

Chicago, Michigan Ave is a cool store. Friendly, knowledgeable staff...lots of display items to play with! Bought a Shuffle there last Summer (no snow). Decided on buying my iPhone there too after trying it out.

[tgildred]

Customers at the Apple Store are upscale, peace-loving, pseudo-beatniks. They don't steal stuff.


except for music.

;)

[EagerDragon]

64GB SSD and 80GB HDD are the options now. But people might want to replace their HDD to an SSD down the line when SSD becomes cheaper.

arn

However opening the case is likely to void their warranty.

[honeycrisp]

I can tell you from experience that these alarms will be going off constantly.
People are going to be picking the MacBooks up, and flipping them around. That'll be enough to tug on that connection and set off the alarm. This probably doesn't mean much to a customer but for the employees it means crawling under the table and constantly resetting the alarms. I guess that's the price you pay for a clean uncluttered look.

You're definitely right about that. It happens enough in Apple stores at it is without the MBA.

[JDR]

I might be at the Michigan Ave. store (Chicago) later on today. I'll bring my camera :)

[pagansoul]

looks like they're using USB alarms. unplug it and you'll know about it. you can get them if you do a search.

http://www.everythingusb.com/belkin_usb_laptop_security_alarm_13738.html

[twoodcc]

well hopefully they will be at my local apple store tomorrow. surely they will be.

that's cool that it has the same chip as the iPhone. can't wait to try it out

[Sandy Santra]

I humbly beg to differ. When the iPhone came out, it had SSD; despite the high price tag, many people bought the product. Someone might argue, "Well, cell phones as a technology have not had hard drives." True, but that's besides the point, because part of the lure of the iPhone was that it had an "embedded" iPod in it; there was room for a small music collection on the SSD. I own 2 60gig iPods, and I get really tired of the HD refreshing the content (album cover art, photos, etc.). I was SO happy when I got my iPhone and started listening to music on it; everything refreshed IMMEDIATELY. The advantage of INSTANT information refresh cannot be overestimated. Palm products for many years had INSTANT power on capability.

But people didn't talk about this advantage very much when they discuss the iPhone. Why? Because it's a hidden advantage. You have to be a geek to detect the subtle improvement in speed and access that an SSD provides.

I tried an SSD MacBook Air in the store today, and I fell in love with it immediately.

there is little demand for high-capacity SSD outside of "ruggedized" military-style applications.

[sterlingindigo]

I see SSD as the way to go. I also use my iPhone as my primary iPod, trading 'up' from my 30gig was hardly a compromise. I wish it were more snappy though. Maybe too much anti-hacking software is to blame.

[ncbill]

That's why I said "high-capacity" SSD

There are big price drops for 8GB flash for your iPod or camera, but not for a 1.8" 128GB SSD at this time.

I agree the SSD option is the way to go on the MBA, but you'll be paying for the privilege.

I humbly beg to differ. When the iPhone came out, it had SSD; despite the high price tag, many people bought the product. Someone might argue, "Well, cell phones as a technology have not had hard drives." True, but that's besides the point, because part of the lure of the iPhone was that it had an "embedded" iPod in it; there was room for a small music collection on the SSD. I own 2 60gig iPods, and I get really tired of the HD refreshing the content (album cover art, photos, etc.). I was SO happy when I got my iPhone and started listening to music on it; everything refreshed IMMEDIATELY. The advantage of INSTANT information refresh cannot be overestimated. Palm products for many years had INSTANT power on capability.

But people didn't talk about this advantage very much when they discuss the iPhone. Why? Because it's a hidden advantage. You have to be a geek to detect the subtle improvement in speed and access that an SSD provides.

I tried an SSD MacBook Air in the store today, and I fell in love with it immediately.

[InLikeALion]

I humbly beg to differ. When the iPhone came out, it had SSD; despite the high price tag, many people bought the product. Someone might argue, "Well, cell phones as a technology have not had hard drives." True, but that's besides the point, because part of the lure of the iPhone was that it had an "embedded" iPod in it; there was room for a small music collection on the SSD. I own 2 60gig iPods, and I get really tired of the HD refreshing the content (album cover art, photos, etc.). I was SO happy when I got my iPhone and started listening to music on it; everything refreshed IMMEDIATELY. The advantage of INSTANT information refresh cannot be overestimated. Palm products for many years had INSTANT power on capability.

But people didn't talk about this advantage very much when they discuss the iPhone. Why? Because it's a hidden advantage. You have to be a geek to detect the subtle improvement in speed and access that an SSD provides.

I tried an SSD MacBook Air in the store today, and I fell in love with it immediately.

That is embedded NAND flash. That is not an SSD, nor is it, as ncbill pointed out, high capacity. SSD's have traditional HDD formfactors and interfaces, like SATA or PATA. You cannot compare the 2. 8 and even 16 GB are consumer level amounts and companies buy them by the millions, where as 64+ GBs are not propagated into consumer-level item enough to be bought in such high quantities, or incite price breaks. Someone else pointed out that military use is the largest market right now - ant that is not price-sensitive.

[JDR]

looks like they're using USB alarms. unplug it and you'll know about it. you can get them if you do a search.

I'm at the Michigan Avenue Apple Store right now, and they do have a MacBook Air on display, and they indeed are using a USB alarm. The guy I talked to said that they're going to have a very small amount of MBAs available to purchase, on a first-come-first-serve basis later on today. I'll post the pictures when I get back home

[OldSkoolNJ]

Just phoned the Apple store at 5th Avenue (NY) and they won't sell them today ... just on display ... weird ...

Just checked with two local stores and they have displays but don expect any sellable units until next week at the earliest.

Kevin :apple:

[InLikeALion]

Just checked with two local stores and they have displays but don expect any sellable units until next week at the earliest.

Kevin :apple:

I fear that with many stores not having purchasable stock until next week - that probably nixes the possibility for a MBP launch next week. Apple will probably want MBA's to be purchasable for at least a week before they release the new pros. Even if they aren't competing in the same category, Apple probably doesn't want MBP's to undercut the Air's initial traction.

[petercooper]

The main Regent's Street store in London, UK says they won't have any even on display till "sometime next week". They wouldn't give a date, but the person on the phone seemed rather confident that they'd have some by the end of that week, though (so Friday is probably a good bet!).

[DSL]

Set up an 8:00AM personal shopper appt., at a large Apple store in very upscale mall near my house in LA, they have no MBA's on display or for sale, they claim they won't see them until next week some time.

[cthorp]

Just dropped into the Mall at Millenia and saw the MBA. Very impressive. One item that has been lost is the design of the case itself. Because of the curve in it, it is like a clam shell and extremely rigid. Unlike my MBP, that flexes when I pick t up with one hand (when it's open), the MBA has no felt flex. It feels very strong. I will buy one ASAP. Right now I need to buy a Mac Pro. I like the idea of a light computer to tool around with.

My personal opinion is the overall sexiness of this machine will sell it. People who squabble over features and such are still lagging in the old paradigm of computer sales. Thew paradigm? It's fashion, it's image, and when you sit down in the coffee shop with one people will look at you. That is what it is all about.

Cameron

[milo]

However opening the case is likely to void their warranty.

Nope. User service usually only voids a warranty if the user causes damage when they're doing it. And the warranty is only voided on the part the user damages, they are obligated to honor the warranty on other parts of the machine.

[nagromme]

I can tell you from experience that these alarms will be going off constantly.
People are going to be picking the MacBooks up, and flipping them around. That'll be enough to tug on that connection and set off the alarm. This probably doesn't mean much to a customer but for the employees it means crawling under the table and constantly resetting the alarms. I guess that's the price you pay for a clean uncluttered look.

They could glue the alarm into the port. iPod alarms are glued.

Just dropped into the Mall at Millenia and saw the MBA. Very impressive. One item that has been lost is the design of the case itself. Because of the curve in it, it is like a clam shell and extremely rigid. Unlike my MBP, that flexes when I pick t up with one hand (when it's open), the MBA has no felt flex. It feels very strong. I will buy one ASAP. Right now I need to buy a Mac Pro. I like the idea of a light computer to tool around with.

My personal opinion is the overall sexiness of this machine will sell it. People who squabble over features and such are still lagging in the old paradigm of computer sales. Thew paradigm? It's fashion, it's image, and when you sit down in the coffee shop with one people will look at you. That is what it is all about.

Cameron

Or: it's portability, ease of stuffing in a briefcase, weight, and the fact that it's cheaper and/or has better specs (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/01/22/how_the_macbook_air_stacks_up_against_other_ultra_light_notebooks.html) than many Windows ultraportables. (With the frequent exception of one spec: how many different other devices can you lug along in a sack and connect without needing a hub!) Don't fall in the the trap: "Apple products look nice, therefore they can't have other worth."

[sterlingindigo]

Just phoned the Apple store at 5th Avenue (NY) and they won't sell them today ... just on display ... weird ...

NO AIR FOR YOU! Back of ze line...

[kingtj]

The people still bickering about features or the lack thereof forget that today's computers offer VASTLY more capability for the dollar than in years past. We've really reached a point where for most needs, any new computer you can purchase, at ANY price-point, is sufficient to handle them.

Sure, the "power users" and "hardware geeks" out there (and I even count myself in that crowd!) will still be interested in all the technical details. But that's just like with automobiles today, you've got some "gearheads" around who want the best possible performance, and do their car shopping based on 0-60 times, stopping distances, and cornering capabilities. But MOST car shoppers just need something that gets from point A to B. So the decisions come down to things like "price", "style" and perceived "quality of construction".

A lot of the Windows PC makers have figured out how to be successful selling primarily on "low price". (Did wonders for Dell, right?) But few have really grasped the fact that "style" is also important to many customers. I see some attempts made at it, but it probably can't always be done successfully by certain manufacturers. (EG. No matter how stylish and impressive-looking a new desktop PC is, if it's got a Gateway/e-Machines logo on the front of it, people will still ignore it as "questionable in quality". It might well be a really GOOD system, but their legacy overshadows it.)

Apple has the combo of a reputation for decent quality and customer service/satisfaction, AND a good grasp of what makes a computer look "attractive" physically.



My personal opinion is the overall sexiness of this machine will sell it. People who squabble over features and such are still lagging in the old paradigm of computer sales. Thew paradigm? It's fashion, it's image, and when you sit down in the coffee shop with one people will look at you. That is what it is all about.
Cameron

[sterlingindigo]

I noticed bestbuy.com has removed the MBA from their website. There used to be an ad for MBA with an estimated shipping date of 02/05-02/07 and three shipping choices but their ad for the MBA has completely dissapeared into thin air. Perhaps they are updating their website as the MBA's have now 'arrived' in store. Any sightings at Best Buy stores, anyone? I'm going in tonight to check it out since my nearest Apple store is an hour away.

[brad.c]

Customers at the Apple Store are upscale, peace-loving, pseudo-beatniks. They don't steal stuff.

Perhaps, but if you steal, you're not a customer, are you? :D

[PieMac]

I noticed bestbuy.com has removed the MBA from their website. There used to be an ad for MBA with an estimated shipping date of 02/05-02/07 and three shipping choices but their ad for the MBA has completely dissapeared into thin air. Perhaps they are updating their website as the MBA's have now 'arrived' in store. Any sightings at Best Buy stores, anyone? I'm going in tonight to check it out since my nearest Apple store is an hour away.

I noticed that too....it was like that this morning....hmmmmm

[ravenvii]

Just got back from the :apple: Store.

The MacBook Air is indeed very nice. Very, very thin, and very, very light. The hinges are very easy-going, the screen feels very light when opening or closing the laptop, not like the MacBooks and MacBook Pro's at all.

And the magnet latch is very weak, which means you can open the laptop without lifting it up off the table (in other words, they made the magnet weak enough so that it's strong enough to hold the laptop closed, but weak enough so that it doesn't hold the bottom to the screen when you try to open it).

The keyboard is very nice (I liked the MacBooks' keyboard, so this is no surprise) and does look better in person than it does in pictures.

The screen is just about equal to my MacBook Pro's display. Much better than the MacBooks' display, which is one of the things I disliked about my previous black MacBook.

Overall, very impressive!

[puckhead193]

wasn't at the natick mall i mean natick collection.... :rolleyes:

[gcmexico]

The people still bickering about features or the lack thereof forget that today's computers offer VASTLY more capability for the dollar than in years past. We've really reached a point where for most needs, any new computer you can purchase, at ANY price-point, is sufficient to handle them.

Sure, the "power users" and "hardware geeks" out there (and I even count myself in that crowd!) will still be interested in all the technical details. But that's just like with automobiles today, you've got some "gearheads" around who want the best possible performance, and do their car shopping based on 0-60 times, stopping distances, and cornering capabilities. But MOST car shoppers just need something that gets from point A to B. So the decisions come down to things like "price", "style" and perceived "quality of construction".

A lot of the Windows PC makers have figured out how to be successful selling primarily on "low price". (Did wonders for Dell, right?) But few have really grasped the fact that "style" is also important to many customers. I see some attempts made at it, but it probably can't always be done successfully by certain manufacturers. (EG. No matter how stylish and impressive-looking a new desktop PC is, if it's got a Gateway/e-Machines logo on the front of it, people will still ignore it as "questionable in quality". It might well be a really GOOD system, but their legacy overshadows it.)

Apple has the combo of a reputation for decent quality and customer service/satisfaction, AND a good grasp of what makes a computer look "attractive" physically.

you're right on the money!!! I've used the car analogy before, if you have the money you will always go with the Benz even though it doesn't provide all the features of a Honda Civic...if you provide decent specs and a great look you have a GREAT SELLING PRODUCT! it's the American way

[dutchy73]

I just got back from checking it out at the 14th street store here in NY. It's thin...and...?

It's nice but I got over it in roughly 1.5 minutes. I picked it up, closed it, opened it and then walked away. Totally underwhelming experience. No matter how I slice it, if I purchased the MBA, i'd be paying $300-$400 to DOWNGRADE from my black macbook. I think Apple is seriously misleading the consumer when they position this machine between a macbook and macbook pro. It might be in between in price. But in performance, its the mac mini of laptops. If Apple made a black aluminum 13.3 inch macbook pro, I'll be the first one in line.

I agree that style means a lot, but if I had to use the car comparison as pointed out above, your "simple and basic" car should also equal inexpensive. But if it looks like a ferrari, it should perform like one. I dig my Macbook. I use it at work and at home. And in a sea of Dell laptops, my mac crushes in style. Its is a solid balance between style and performance and price. Apple is is banking heavily that there is a market to sell a Ferrari with a 4 cylinder engine in it.

Sorry folks, I am a huge fan of all things apple. But I need to come to grips with this...the emperor indeed has no clothes.

[esquire360]

be cool... so our iPhone become usb touch pads

iLike

[D-Love]

Does the SSD use the same interface to connect as the HD?

[sushi]

Does the SSD use the same interface to connect as the HD?
Yes, SSDs are either PATA (the one used in the MBA 1.8 for example) or SATA as some 2.5 inch form factor ones are.

The flash memory in iPods, iPhone, etc. are not the same as an SSD device. An SSD device includes a regular HD type interface.

[manu chao]

No matter how I slice it, if I purchased the MBA, i'd be paying $300-$400 to DOWNGRADE from my black macbook. I think Apple is seriously misleading the consumer when they position this machine between a macbook and macbook pro. It might be in between in price. But in performance, its the mac mini of laptops. If Apple made a black aluminum 13.3 inch macbook pro, I'll be the first one in line.

So you want a black MB clad in aluminium, one pound lighter, as thin as the MBP but please with only a $100 premium over the black MB?
If they priced this $400 more, you would probably cry murder.

And who would buy a 15" MBP if they could get the same thinness, material and specs in a 13.3" package? Quite a few people less. So, Apple should spend money on engineering to produce a product that canibalizes its own higher-margin products with a lower-margin ones?

[shamino]

People are WAY too optimistic about the price on high-capacity SSD falling quickly - there is little demand for high-capacity SSD outside of "ruggedized" military-style applications (not a price sensistive market)
For the moment. People said similar things about 1.8" hard drives - and it was true until Apple started shipping iPods in record quantities.

The MacBook Air is the first consumer device to offer a large SSD. Until now, there has been no way to judge consumer demand. Now, we will see consumer sales (amount to be determined, of course), and we'll start getting reliability figures, etc.

As consumer demand goes up, the manufacturers will increase production, and prices will come down. Probably not in a few months, but in a year or two, I'd count on it.

[JDR]

Here's just a few pictures of the MBA set-up and USB alarm:

http://jdrbmw92.googlepages.com/setup.jpg
http://jdrbmw92.googlepages.com/alarm1.jpg
http://jdrbmw92.googlepages.com/alarm2.jpg
Taken at the Michigan Ave. Apple Store (Chicago) yesterday.

-JDR

P.S. A shout-out for Mac Rumors :D :
http://jdrbmw92.googlepages.com/macrumors.jpg

If you people want to see more pictures, I have a bunch more if you all are interested...

[D-Love]

Yes, SSDs are either PATA (the one used in the MBA 1.8 for example) or SATA as some 2.5 inch form factor ones are.

The flash memory in iPods, iPhone, etc. are not the same as an SSD device. An SSD device includes a regular HD type interface.
Sweet, its a pretty straightforward swap then when SSD drives come down in price.

I think I'm just about sold on this laptop now, I was concerned about the ability to replace the battery/HD when either got outdated.

The sheer sleekness of this machine makes up for the lack of an optical drive IMO.

[msizzle64]

Sherman Oaks, CA Apple Store. Replaced the giant iPhone Display.

Demo units and MBP comparison.

[MagicWok]

Nada on display in Bluewater yesterday... Did have my hopes up :(

[djellison]

None on display or available at Regents Street yesterday. I asked " A week or so "

Don't actually want one, but thought I'd ask for people here.

Doug

[MagicWok]

Don't want one either lol - but still want to get my hands on one and have a play.


Also noticed as a side note - that since the 1.1.3 update on the Touch, there are countless pre-pubescent teens now messing up all the iPods in store. Just annoyed me lol.