My new iMac shipped with Lion on it.

[Icaras]

Without install CD it's impossible - that's what I don't like.

No, not impossible. Either create a bootable USB drive, or use the Lion recovery download at startup.

 

[MacinDoc]

I just received a refurb 13" MBP pre-loaded with Lion. Kind of nice, actually, to have both a Snow Leopard machine and a Lion one to compare the OSs and see which one I prefer.

 

[jayhawk11]

Don't like them all. I like:
1) turn mac
2) put install CD in it
3) /format all
4) install new totally clean OS

Without install CD it's impossible - that's what I don't like.

That's no different than the Option 1 that he provided, amigo:

There are several ways:

1. Boot to the recovery partition and reinstall (assuming original drive).
2. Clone the drive when system is new and save it.
3. Apple has restore flash drives available through AppleCare for disaster recovery.
4. You can buy a Lion flash drive.
5. If you have another Mac and upgrade it to Lion you can made an install DVD from the Lion installer download.

In addition, expect at some point the Internet recovery feature will be available on new iMacs (and MacBook Pros and Mac Pros) the same as it is for 2011 MacBook Airs and Mac minis.

Only difference is now you can't scratch/lose/break your recovery DVD, and when you re-install you are automatically up to date as well.

 

[blockburner28]

Mines came with lion also. Bought it today and it arrived at bestbuy this morning it was one of the first shipments

 

[xraydoc]

I went to buy an Air 11" from my local store the other day and they only had SL-installed versions in stock still. Old stock has to clear through the system first.

You bought last year's MacBook Air then (Core 2 Duo). The 2011 Core i5/i7 MacBook Airs never came with Snow Leopard. Ever. You can't even install SL on it if you wanted to (not without compatibility problems).

I hope you didn't pay full retail price for your new MacBook Air if you truly bought it the other day.

 

[SteinyD]

They have been shipping all computers with Lion for a few weeks now.

That is actually not true. While picking up my new iMac yesterday, it was explained that some lines of Macs have started shipping with 100% with Lion. In other products, they are still seeing product come in with with either Snow Leopard or Lion. The iMac I wanted at one store was only available with Snow Leopard. I went to another store so I could get one with Lion (only because it was indicative of newer stock).

 

[cerote]

No, not impossible. Either create a bootable USB drive, or use the Lion recovery download at startup.

^ This.

Just create a USB drive.