MacBook Air coming next week with socketed 128GB SSDs

Summary: Several sources indicate that the third-generation (3G?) MacBook Air will arrive next week on either Thursday (7/21) or Friday (7/22). Socketed 128GB SSDs and 4GB RAM will be standard on the new Airs according to the rumor mill.

By Jason D. O'Grady for The Apple Core | July 15, 2011 -- 08:59 GMT (01:59 PDT)

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If you're like me, you're probably getting tired of the constant ping-ping of MacBook Air launch dates. It's coming this week, it's coming next week, I just want the darned things to ship already.

There's been rumblings that the next-generation MacBook Air would arrive this week (alongside Lion) but hopes were dashed when Tuesday and Thursday came and went without the telltale "We'll Be Right Back" post-it note appearing on store.apple.com.

AllThingsD's John Paczkowski now reports that the third-generation (3G?) MacBook Air will indeed arrive next week on either Thursday (7/21) or Friday (7/22). The new Airs are expected to rock new Intel Sandy Bridge processors, high-speed Thunderbolt ports, backlit keyboards and 128GB and 256GB SSDs.

Yes, I said 128GB SSDs. Even in the 11-inch model.

In addition to dropping the previous 64GB SSD configuration, Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via Electronista) believes that Apple has configured the new Air with a minimum of 4GB RAM "to improve Lion's performance." Kuo also writes that the Air SSDs will still come on socketed micro SATA modules (like the current model) noting that they won't be soldered on the motherboard as was previously rumored.

Some pundits have suggested that Apple might be waiting until after its Q3 2011 earnings announcement -- which happens on Tuesday, July 19 -- to launch Lion and the 3G Airs. The rationale is that Apple would push the announcement until after the earnings call just in case something went wrong with the launches. If true, this would be unfortunate because it would mean that Apple didn't have much faith in its new products.

Image: iPad-site.net

Topics: Processors, Apple, Hardware, Laptops, Mobility

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9 comments

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Apple didn't have much faith in it's new products? Really?

I know that is a conjectured result of a delayed launch date but .. really?

kenosha77a
15 July, 2011 11:07

Reply Vote
RE: MacBook Air coming next week with socketed 128GB SSDs

I thought there were plans for touchscreens in the new Air Line. Is this not accurate or just too early?

slickjim
15 July, 2011 20:38

Reply Vote
- RE: MacBook Air coming next week with socketed 128GB SSDs
  
  @Peter Perry No there will not be touch screens in Air.
  
  lelandhendrix@...
  18 July, 2011 09:10
  
  Reply Vote
RE: MacBook Air coming next week with socketed 128GB SSDs

This saddens me. I thought Apple was the best of the best. So many ways they are behind... awww.
Touchscreen, Fingerprint Reader, Actual ports (USB 3.0), ... They must just think that Thunderbolt connector is amazing.. too bad no one else does.

FuzzyBunnySlippers
15 July, 2011 21:20

Reply Vote
- RE: MacBook Air coming next week with socketed 128GB SSDs
  
  @FuzzyBunnySlippers - you have a point with touch screen - maybe the next version will have touch-capable IPS panels. Oh, is that $700 Dell plastic thing's touch screen IPS or TN? Serious design users try to avoid TN when possible... which means macbooks need to go IPS at some point as well, but even then there are higher quality TN panels, and for a $700 thing you're not going to get quality materials. (If a $2000 laptop has problems, then the company needs to fess up to it, since they are the ones who hype up 'quality' the most...)
  
  A fingerprint-enabled Mac would be nice. Still, I prefer giving PCs the finger, but the security issue is well-taken.
  
  USB3 - talking point. USB3 is still new and, like Thunderbolt, I've no USB3 peripherals worthy of purchase, yet. Since Thunderbolt is a level of magnitude faster, T-bolt will be the next platform of choice when peripherals for it arrive.
  
  HypnoToad72
  16 July, 2011 10:13
  
  Reply Vote
When Lion is ready?

I have a feeling that Lion has been held up for a bug or two found in the GM - ones that need to be fixed.

At that point I can see Apple releasing all products that are ready.

As for the 19th, my bet is that Apple would like to have the products out before the Results so they can talk them up during the broadcast. A nice place to get even more PR.

Ken_z
16 July, 2011 10:17

Reply Vote
RE: MacBook Air coming next week with socketed 128GB SSDs

Are these the same "sources" that said previously the SSDs would be soldered to the motherboard? If not, are they more reliable sources, or should we just wait until the thing's actually been released to see?

DJL64
18 July, 2011 06:03

Reply Vote
- RE: MacBook Air coming next week with socketed 128GB SSDs
  
  @DJL64 Kara Swisher of AllThingsD said, in reference to this specific claim of release this week: "We don't guess." So they are staking their reputations on the release date.
  
  And only an idiot would think Apple doesn't have confidence in the MacBook Airs, which are wildly popular and have helped push Apple to become the #3 computer manufacturer behind HP and Dell. And much more profitable than both put together.
  
  ewelch
  18 July, 2011 06:29
  
  Reply Vote
RE: MacBook Air coming next week with socketed 128GB SSDs

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jackson1984-24316069205748857739440257893812
10 October, 2011 23:06

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