Apple hasn’t released a black colored laptop in what seems like a really long time, but actually their last black laptop the polycarbonate Macbook went out of production in 2008 and a new report has surfaced claiming that the new Air will come with a new black version. The coating looks good and holds up well, but it also soaks up body oils, making the palm rest look pretty gross and Apple has offered a high-end black MacBook in the past in addition to the white MacBooks it sold………
This contradicts earlier reports that the next-generation wouldn’t see any design changes at all, keeping its .68-inch-thick aluminum design. Under this black design, while an aluminum enclosure would likely be kept, some form of black finish would be added on top of it, or maybe just high-quality black paint. If you’ve been part of the Mac community for some time, you’re probably aware that Apple made a black (plastic) MacBook in the past, until it got discontinued a few years back. The next-generation MacBook Air is expected to keep pace with the enhanced hardware found in other products of Apple’s product line. A Sandy Bridge (i3 or i5) processor is expected along with a memory boost. Support for Thunderbolt, a technology developed by Intel and mostly marketed by Apple that allows for super-fast data and video output, all through the same tiny port. Thunderbolt first made its debut with a new line of MacBook Pros that shipped later this year, shortly followed by new iMac models. While other makers have so far been skeptical about implementing the technology, Intel’s involvement might push mass adoption.
Apple is rumored to offer the option of a black finish on its next-generation Sandy Bridge powered MacBook Air ultraportable notebooks expected to arrive in the near future, but the source publication has posted an update shedding doubt on the rumor. Emails sent to the publication from an alleged Apple employee claim Apple experimented with black powder coated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, but Apple CEO Steve Jobs “killed the idea” because the coating soaks up body oils. “At some point we may offer a black coating, but it won’t be powder coat, and it won’t be anytime soon, the tipster wrote. Citing “several anonymous tips,” MacRumors reported on Monday that Apple will will offer “at least some models” of its next MacBook Air with a black finish. That would be different from the aluminum currently found on all MacBook Air models. “The most specific of the claims suggests that a black anodized aluminum case would be available on a top-end MacBook Air model, in much the same way as Apple once offered a high-end black MacBook on top of the standard white offerings,” the report said.
Author Eric Slivka said the site is “unable to confirm the rumors,” but given the fact that numerous tips have been received, the information was shared “for interest and discussion.” Last week, AppleInsider revealed that Apple is expected to hold off on introducing any new Mac hardware until Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, its next-generation operating system, becomes publicly available. Lion will become available in the Mac App Store for $29.99 in July, but it is believed that any new MacBook Air models would ship with the operating system preinstalled. AppleInsider also learned that Apple is ready to build nearly 400,000 next-generation MacBook Airs this month in preparation for the anticipated launch. The new hardware is expected to sport Intel’s latest Sandy Bridge processors, as well as the new high-speed Thunderbolt port codeveloped by Apple and Intel. The new thin-and-light MacBook Air launched in late 2010 with a new 11.6-inch model and a lower $999 introductory price. The device was an instant hit, and made the MacBook Air one of the most popular products in the Mac lineup overnight.
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