Sounds like a fun deal. Don't know if it being a prototype really merits any value, as its beta functionality may outweigh the rarity of the item.
Anyway, what did you pay for it?
I really love this new platform; I'd love to get a used one as a 'throwaway'.
Very interesting, it definitely seems like a pre-production unit. Maybe you could take it in to an Apple Store and have them take a look at it, then you'll know for sure. The only thing that seems odd to me is that it appears to be running 10.4 (Tiger) and the hard drive is only 40GB.
If this truly is a pre-production then congrats, I would def. keep it!
I ran the serial number and it is indeed a prototype unit:
M82 PROTO2 ENC 4
Just don't ask where I checked the S/N...
thats really awesome! few questions:
- is Tiger installed on it? what is the OS version and build no.? (click on the version number in About This Mac to get the build no.).
- are there any things different in the OS compared to Tiger like System Preferences apps or icons?
- do multi touch gestures work?
well 8R4016 isnt an official 10.4.10 release http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X_v10.4#Version_history so your probably using a test build between 10.4.10 and 10.4.11 which may have bugs and stability issues.
did the seller provide any install DVDs? if not the only way to get to an official stable OS X build is to buy a copy of Leopard.
That, my friend, is truly awesome (assuming it is pre-production). I think you could easily get 3-4x the normal retail price (if not more) if you could somehow prove that it is indeed pre-pro.
EDIT:
a few things i noticed:
it has the old style apple keyboard, with no backlighting.
it has a different style power button
it looks as if the unibody production system hadn't been completed yet, as the aluminum over the keyboard is sagging.
no macbook air logo (obviously)
My offer stands but I would keep it if i were you, maybe not even use it.
I'll give you $4000 for it. (deadly serious)