Photo of Prototype 13" MacBook Air

[MacRumors]

Engadget posts a single shot of what is claimed to be a prototype MacBook Air dating back to April 2010. The image comes from a source who had been shopping the images around to several tech sites last evening. The prototype device is labeled "K18".

Based on our own professional squinting ability, there are USB plugs on the left and right sides, Mini DisplayPort and an SD card reader on the left, and a power plug on the right.

The prototype unit is said to have been discovered in April 2010 and retains a 13" screen size form factor. We ran the image by iFixit's Kyle Wiens who thought the component near the top looked to be user upgradable flash, and also identified non-upgradeable SDRAM (although there may be a slot on the other side), and slightly larger battery capacity.

On Friday, Apple had been rumored to be introducing a new SSD Card storage in their upcoming MacBook Air. The new storage was described as closely resembling a "stick of RAM". It's possible this early prototype represents some of the early research done on that feature. The prototype, however, was the same size as existing MacBook Airs, so is unlikely to represent next week's launch product if the 11.6" screen-size rumors are to be believed.

Article Link: Photo of Prototype 13" MacBook Air

[akbc]

Just so happy to hear about a second USB port... *tears*

Anyways, I hope this is real, it seems like a good balance. Although the other picture on Engadget suggests that it still only has 2 GB of RAM.

[kockgunner]

Where is the battery?

I really want one of these even though I probably won't get one since I have a Macbook Pro and a student budget. I think if it is significantly cheaper than the current one, this will be a major hit. The thing with the current Macbook Air is that people don't perceive it as much more than an overpriced netbook. This hopefully will be like the return of the 12 inch Powerbook.

[rhinosrcool]

Personally, I like the 13" size. However, an 11.6" mba would probably sell more. That is, if the price is right. Hopefully, either the 13" or the 11.6" (or both?) has 4gb ram; at least is upgradable to 4gb.

[Icaras]

Originally Posted by akbc

Just so happy to hear about a second USB port... *tears*

Anyways, I hope this is real, it seems like a good balance. Although other picture on Engadget suggests that it still only has 2 GB of RAM.

Amen to the second USB port. Can't wait to see the update. It's long overdue!

[baryon]

Great! Looks like it won't be thicker on one side than on the other, as the batteries seem to be dispersed a bit everywhere. I'm really curious about this solid state hard drive thing, sounds cool to me!

[richard.mac]

looks good! hopefully there is an 11.6" model as well, but i can understrand why people would wont to go for a 13" screen only.

black hinge so a glassy display? or a metal frame like the anti-glare MBPs?

Originally Posted by kockgunner

Where is the battery? …

are those four white (metal?) blocks the battery?

[chanerz]

now this should be good!

[stridemat]

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Originally Posted by richthomas

looks good! hopefully there is an 11.6" model as well, but i can understrand why people would wont to go for a 13" screen only.

black hinge so a glassy display? or a metal frame like the anti-glare MBPs?

are those four white (metal?) blocks the battery?

I think so. Not much else they could be.

[Fraaaa]

Glad that there might be an 13" model. I'm ready to shop.

[igazza]

thats alot of battery

[qawes]

2 USB ports FTW!

I highly doubt Apple will release a 11 inch MBA, it just isn't enough space for all those features + long lasting battery life.

[Hellhammer]

This sounds amazing, can't wait till next week!

[SurfSpirit]

I just hope this is not the only thing to show in "Back To Mac"!!! A Notebook with a inclosure battery and SSD Drive, for twice the price, how amazing, BOOOORRRRINNNGGGG!!!

[StellarSoul]

I'm an incredibly huge supporter of the Air line. My high end MacBook Air is seriously the best computer I have ever used. Portability is paramount for me (teacher) and the Air has been a dream come true in every way.

I'm not sure how I feel about the move to a smaller screen. 13.3" is very comfortable, any smaller and I just don't know. Maybe if they used a retina display style resolution in it, I'd feel differently. Hrmmm we'll have to wait and see. Either way, my 5 month old MacBook Air is going on eBay right now.

Couldn't be more excited about the 'Back to the Mac' media event. Very interested to see what they do with their Macs in general. Here is my Air wish list, supposing there are no big form factor changes...

1) 13.3" high res display (retina?)
2) Black bezel
3) Glass multi touch trackpad
4) New hinge system
5) Two USB ports (the tethering factor)
6) 4 gb of DDR3 ram
7) Quad core Intel processors
8) Don't know much about modern graphics processors, but a significant bump in specs would be nice
9) Flash or SSD drives standard, more HD space please
10) Infra red receiver on the back of base plus front (or bluetooth remote)

[haoqfu]

guys, don't get too excited, the 2nd picture on engadget shows it only got 2GB ram and current gen. of cpu. looks like it's just a redesign of the case, no spec bump.

http://www.engadget.com/photos/is-th...k-air/#3473899

[nutjob]

Looks good. All the bits you need:

- SD card slot
- lots of battery
- two USB ports

none of the bits you don't need:

- CD drive
- HD drive enclosure

Originally Posted by haoqfu

guys, don't get too excited, the 2nd picture on engadget shows it only got 2GB ram and current gen. of cpu. looks like it's just a redesign of the case, no spec bump.

http://www.engadget.com/photos/is-th...k-air/#3473899

Could be the low-end option. I can see the high end having 4GB.

[elppa]

Originally Posted by haoqfu

guys, don't get too excited, the 2nd picture on engadget shows it only got 2GB ram and current gen. of cpu. looks like it's just a redesign of the case, no spec bump.

http://www.engadget.com/photos/is-th...k-air/#3473899

You'll notice they suggest it is an early prototype from April this year (or earlier). It is also 13", whereas the new Air is widely rumoured to be 11.6" (or Apple have some other use for the 11.6" panels they ordered!).

So in all likelihood this a prototype of the redesigned Air and not version to be announced on the 20th. And I imagine it will have 4GB as standard, like all of the MacBook Pro range.

[dEsUrU]

surely one of those usb ports is a micro sim slot. no way would there be a second usb on the air (IMO). simply from a form factor factor point of view, an in built sim would be more elegant that a usb dongle.
and perhaps the touted decreased cost is because it can be purchased on contract (but perhaps not as it would probably have been leaked earlier if others had access to this outside of apple).

[SiriusExcelsior]

..It's kinda saddening that people are pleased with a "second" USB port, when current netbooks have 3 as standard (which is one more than a MacBook..)..

But unfortunately it's quite true that there is practically no space in Apple's laptops to include another port.. the inside is completely jam-packed with components.. the price you pay for thin-ness

[nutjob]

Interesting to see the difference with the existing model:

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBo...Teardown/598/1

It looks like there is no tapering at the back and less toward the front, so it will have edge more similar to the MacBook.

[daneoni]

Originally Posted by StellarSoul

Couldn't be more excited about the 'Back to the Mac' media event. Very interested to see what they do with their Macs in general. Here is my Air wish list, supposing there are no big form factor changes...

1) 13.3" high res display (retina?)
2) Black bezel
3) Glass multi touch trackpad
4) New hinge system
5) Two USB ports (the tethering factor)
6) 4 gb of DDR3 ram
7) Quad core Intel processors
8) Don't know much about modern graphics processors, but a significant bump in specs would be nice
9) Flash or SSD drives standard, more HD space please
10) Infra red receiver on the back of base plus front (or bluetooth remote)

Dream on

[johnhmeyer123]

Originally Posted by haoqfu

guys, don't get too excited, the 2nd picture on engadget shows it only got 2GB ram and current gen. of cpu. looks like it's just a redesign of the case, no spec bump.

http://www.engadget.com/photos/is-th...k-air/#3473899

Ugh, C'mon, please do your research first. That was a VERY early prototype. They won't waste high end memory on prototypes....

[porky]

SSD like a stick of ram, as in the older Asus netbooks? It will be a core2duo, only 2GB, way too expensive but we will all love it and buy it

[Ape_Man]

On the 11 inch display.

I think that Apple moving towards such a relatively small display hints at resolution independence.

I just don't think they would release anything with a 1280 pixel wide display.

My guess would be an 'almost' retina display.