Is my MBA a US model?

[TWHH]

Hi there,

My employer has started to roll out Macs. The programme is still being trailed and I applied to be part of that trial (as I am a life long MAc lover and WinDoze non-lover)

So I ordered one of the Macs we could choose from - I went for the 'standard' i5 13" Air. It was taking forever to come, so after I chased our procurement department they finally came up with the goods. Or so I thought.

Once I'd picked it up I realised that it was in fact a 'Late 2010' model - Core duo, no i5 or Thunderbolt.

I've also realised that it has no £ key, only a $!

So.. have I got a 'grey import'? Is there any way of looking up the serial number to see if it is indeed a non UK model?

Personally I think our procurement department have been totally done over by whoever they source our Macs through. If I can prove the grey import I might be able to get them to re-supply a current UK model.

Either way I know I'm still far better off with a Mac at work. Have to say though... Office 2011 (especially Outlook) really isn't as good as the PC version. Hmm, wonder why MDST have 'downgraded' the Mac version

 

[NikFinn]

Here's the US keyboard layout. The UK one has a different shaped return/enter button as well as a differently placed @ symbol, if memory serves correct. These changes in addition to the difference in $ symbols.

 

[TWHH]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes indeed, that's the keyboard I've got.

Anyone got any ideas on if reselling US imports is good and proper? Can't imagine the company I work for (a major UK/European tech based firm that itself resells consumer electronics goods) would want to be seen to be condoning it.

Mind you, it never stopped Tescos!

Thanks

 

[raftr]

Thanks for your reply.
Anyone got any ideas on if reselling US imports is good and proper?
Thanks

Unlike a lof of companies', Apple warranty is global. No worries here. I have UK keyboard, don't like the "inverted L" return key and, in an ideal world we'd meet to swap the laptops.

 

[tmoerel]

Hi there,
I've also realised that it has no £ key, only a $!

So.. have I got a 'grey import'? Is there any way of looking up the serial number to see if it is indeed a non UK model?

It does not have to be a grey import. Apple can sell you a mac with a US keyboard in any country. I recently got a mba with a US keyboard in Switzerland. Just specify you want it when ordering.

Perhaps your company ordered US keyboards?

 

[molala]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (iPhone; Opera Mini/6.1.15738/26.1023; U; en) Presto/2.8.119 Version/10.54)

You can specify a US keyboard in the UK Apple store. And if they didn't buy from Apple, it could also be an import from within EU.

 

[molala]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (iPhone; Opera Mini/6.1.15738/26.1023; U; en) Presto/2.8.119 Version/10.54)

Not sure if this still holds true, but years ago US wifi cards could only see up to channel 11 as a regulatory restriction. So you can test if this is a US laptop by fiddling channels on your wifi network.

 

[TWHH]

Thanks for this info.

Where do I find the wi-fi channel options in Lion? I've had a look in the wi-fi section of the Network Sys Prefs, but can't seem to see it.

Thanks

 

[molala]

You'll have to do it through your wireless router settings (whichever brand/make it is). You can usually select which channel it broadcasts in.