MacBook Airs On Display at Apple Stores, Disassembly Photos

[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

 

[InLikeALion]

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

Kevin

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]

SOCal, No display or inventory

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]

Orlando Apple store

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 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."