Apple to Release Updated MacBook Air and Mac Pro Models This Week?

Monday July 11, 2011 1:38 pm PDT by Eric Slivka

9 to 5 Mac reports that reliable tipster "Mr. X" has revealed that Apple will be releasing new MacBook Air and Mac Pro models this week alongside OS X Lion.

According to Mr. X, Apple will be releasing four new MacBook Air models, appearing to match up with the current lineup of two stock configurations each in the 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. MacBook Air updates have been expected within this general timeframe for some time now, and Apple is said to have been holding the release until it can ship the new machines with OS X Lion preinstalled. The new models include:

MC965LL/A - K21, BETTER, BTR-USA
MC966LL/A - K21, BEST, BTR-USA
MC968LL/A - K78, BETTER, BTR-USA
MC969LL/A - K78, BEST, BTR-USA

On the Mac Pro side, Apple again appears to following its existing lineup with three standard stock configurations alongside a dedicated "Server" configuration. Reports had been suggesting that the Mac Pro would see a refresh in late July or early August, so Apple's appears to be a bit ahead of that schedule provided that it is indeed shooting for a release this week.

MC936LL/A - J40, ULTIMATE - USA
MC815LL/A - J40, BETTER - USA
MC816LL/A - J40, BEST - USA
MC914LL/A - J59, BEST - USA

Mr. X has not offered a specific release date for the new machines, but it appears that Apple may be targeting this Thursday, July 14th for the hardware launch alongside OS X Lion.

Related Roundups: Mac Pro, MacBook Air

Tags: 9to5mac.com, Mr. X

Buyer's Guide: Mac Pro (Don't Buy), MacBook Air (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

griz

110 months ago

So is best better than ultimate or is better better than best but not better than ultimate? I always thought that you can't get better than best. So given that, Ultimate would be the worst, better would be better than ultimate and best would be the best. I always thought Apple made things easy. :)

Rating: 19 Votes

scottsjack

110 months ago

I find the never ending verbal battle between the anti-Mac Pro and the pro-Mac Pro sides interesting.

The anti-MP folks seem to want it to go away for a variety of reason and they sound like people who for the most part have never owned, needed or used a Mac Pro. If they don't need it then by extention does any one?

On the other hand the pro-MP posters sound like they want or need the features that make the Mac Pro what it is. They also strike me as Mac Pro users.

People who are critical of the Mac Pro mainly because of its processing speed compared to the latest iMacs and MacBook Pros obviously belong to the first camp. They probably buy cars soley based on the 0-100kph time.

I'm looking forward to Thursday.

Rating: 8 Votes

EmpyreanUK

110 months ago

This 'Mr X.' is quite the prophet. Following his example, I'm gonna put the reputation of my pseudonym on the line by predicting that the sun will rise tomorrow. I won't offer a specific time, and will only say that it appears that this will take place at DAWN.

Rating: 8 Votes

Junipr

110 months ago

No word on a new Macbook?

Maybe the new MacBook Air is the next generation of MacBooks?

Rating: 8 Votes

wallysb01

110 months ago

We could really use a new MacPro that supports at least 128 GBs of RAM... Any word on how high the RAM might get?

Rating: 6 Votes

MovieCutter

110 months ago

I really hope Apple don't sign the final death warrant for their pro market with this Mac Pro refresh. What with Final Cut Pro X, a seriously cut down Lion Server and no XServe, i think this may be the final nail in the coffin for the Apple Pro market :(

What Apple Pro market???

Rating: 6 Votes

FSMBP

110 months ago

That's quicker than expected :)

No soldered in HD and I'm in for an 11"

Good luck with that.

Rating: 6 Votes

KnightWRX

110 months ago

if Lion was going to be released this week, on the 14th, I would think that the Lion page on apple.com would have been updated by now with this information instead of still saying "coming in July"

You must be new to Apple to say something like that. ;)

Rating: 5 Votes

Cougarcat

110 months ago

Doesn't this sound too good to be true? The GM edition of Lion only came out last week. If they're waiting for Lion to be ready (as is widely believed), 14th July seems a bit optimistic to me. :(

SL GM came out on August 13th, SL was released on the 28th. 15 days. Lion GM was released on July 1st, so the 14th would be about the same length of time.

Rating: 5 Votes