Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How is this anything like Microsoft? Microsoft doesn't create restore partitions, the OEMs do. More importantly, those OEMs will provide restore discs if you call them up. They at least give you the option to purchase the disc whereas Apple isn't at all with the new hardware. Also, Microsoft doesn't have any technology in place in Windows 7 where you can recover your OS from an internet download. Maybe some OEM came up with a method to do this, but not Microsoft that I know of. This would actually be pretty neat to be able to do. But it's a lot harder in the Windows world because of the hardware diversity.

Yeah...plus Windows 7 can easily make restore discs with it's built in imaging software. Now I'd prefer having physical media included, and I think this internet download thing is a neat last ditch *OPTION*, but there really needs to be SOMETHING available...preferably media, or at least the option to burn/backup some.

I liked that the last gen (second gen?) airs included a USB key with the OS and I presume software.

Hmm....I just realized...I didn't get the option to buy iWork when I bought my Air! I would have...I assume that's for the same reason, they don't want to just give you a USB or DVD with it with the Air?
 
making your own > buying this

Owners of the new 2011 Mac Mini or Mac Book Air will not be able to do so and this will likely be true for all new Macs going forward. The image that we are able to download from the App store does not have the necessary drivers for new models.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.