Apple Pushes Out New Macs Along With OS X Lion

By Marcus Yam
published

The future is discless.

As rumored, Apple has refreshed its MacBook Air and Mac mini lineup with the release of Mac OS X Lion.

2011 MacBook Air

On the outside, the MacBook Air looks much like the razer-themed one that was introduced in the fall of 2010. The major upgrade, of course, was the ditching of the Core 2 Duo and the upgrade to Sandy Bridge-based Core i5 and i7 chips. Gone are the Nvidia GeForce 320M chipset, though, and now the graphics come from the integrated Intel HD 3000.

Coming in line with the MacBook Pros, the new Airs also get its Mini DisplayPort upgraded to a Thunderbolt port. And finally, backlit keyboards are back on the Air.

The 1.6 GHz 11-inch MacBook Air is available in two models, one with 2GB of memory and 64GB of flash storage for a suggested retail price of $999 (US), and one with 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage for $1,199 (US). The 1.7 GHz 13-inch MacBook Air comes in two configurations, one with 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), and one with 4GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage for $1,599 (US). Configure-to-order options and accessories include a 1.8 GHz Core i7 processor, additional flash storage, MacBook Air SuperDrive and a USB Ethernet Adapter.

2011 Mac mini

In keeping with the optical drive-less theme, the new Mac mini does away with the SuperDrive, moving to an all-flash media future.

The Mac mini goes Sandy Bridge with new discrete graphics, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and Lion. At just 7.7-inches square and 1.4-inches thin, the new Mac mini maintains its compact aluminum design with the latest dual-core Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processors, AMD Radeon HD 6630M discrete graphics, or a quad-core Intel Core i7 powered server configuration. Configure-to-order options include up to 8 GBs of memory, a faster 7200 RPM hard drive and a 256GB solid state drive.

The 2.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Mac mini with 2GB of memory and a 500GB hard drive starts at a suggested retail price of $599 (US), with options to add memory up to 8GB and a 750GB hard drive.

The 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Mac mini with 4GB of memory and a 500GB hard drive starts at a suggested retail price of $799 (US), with options to upgrade to a 2.7GHz dual-core Core i7 processor, up to 8GB of memory, and a 750GB hard drive with an option to add or replace with a 256GB solid state drive.

The 2.0 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 Mac mini with Lion Server, 4GB of memory and dual 500GB hard drives starts at a suggested retail price of $999 (US). Options include adding memory up to 8GB, two 750GB hard drives, or up to two 256GB solid state drives.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
33 Comments Comment from the forums
  • festerovic
    a mac mini with the apple logo scratched off, and running windows, would be pretty sweet for a HTPC, seeing how most media is digital anyways.
    Reply
  • DroKing
    wow bunch of low numbers and high costs... most retarded company that ever existed next to sony
    Reply
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    Lol! 256 GB SSD and 4 GB RAM for $1600... have fun. Good marketing trick, though..
    Reply
  • molo9000
    festerovica mac mini with the apple logo scratched off, and running windows, would be pretty sweet for a HTPC, seeing how most media is digital anyways.Why Windows?
    Mac OS or Linux both make good home theatre systems.

    drokingwow bunch of low numbers and high costs... most retarded company that ever existed next to sony
    How many 13", 3lbs ultra portables with a 1.7GHz Core i5, SSD and 7 hours of battery life for $1300 can you name?
    The MacBook Air is a pretty sweet deal.
    Reply
  • TEAMSWITCHER
    drokingwow bunch of low numbers and high costs... most retarded company that ever existed next to sony
    First off, Microsoft will never sell an OS update for $30.00. So I think we can all agree that low number is a huge plus for Apple.

    I think the MacBook Air price is reasonable for an ultra-light notebook with an awesome suite of integrated applications. Sure there are some PC's with similar specs, but also a similar price and no bundled apps.

    The MacMini is the least expensive of the Macs. It doesn't appeal to me, but it would make a nice small server.

    Two out of three isn't bad...

    Finally, Apple is far, far, from the most retarded company that ever existed. I buy Apple stuff because I got tired of waiting for other companies to copy them... Microsoft for example....

    Reply
  • DroKing
    Keep sipping that magical kool aid @Molo9000 n Fastswitch
    Reply
  • frozenlead
    TEAMSWITCHERFirst off, Microsoft will never sell an OS update for $30.00.
    No, but Apple also sells you extraordinarily marked-up hardware to go with it.

    TEAMSWITCHERI buy Apple stuff because I got tired of waiting for other companies to copy them... Microsoft for example....
    lolz. Here we go again.

    Reply
  • uneaq
    As other mention, its not that many ultraportables to chose from with these specs. Personally I want a ultraportable with 3000 HD graphics, possibilities for upgrades and the best resolution possible. MBA is one of two challengers in my eyes, but due the better screen and hardware I dont even have to mention the brand names of preferation - I'm waiting for the Vaio Z to be released for pre-order in my country.
    I never understood why people would want to game etc. on an ultraportable. Without proper sized screens and mechanical keyboard - you wont perform anyways IMO. And if performing the best you can do in games does not matter, then you might aswell buy an XBOX or PS.
    Reply
  • dalethepcman
    molo9000How many 13", 3lbs ultra portables with a 1.7GHz Core i5, SSD and 7 hours of battery life for $1300 can you name?The MacBook Air is a pretty sweet deal.The Asus 2.4lbs, usb3, I7, instant on, 8+ hour battery ultrabook comes out next month, but it cost's less than $1000, so none.
    Reply
  • i7Rocks
    molo9000Why Windows?Mac OS or Linux both make good home theatre systems.How many 13", 3lbs ultra portables with a 1.7GHz Core i5, SSD and 7 hours of battery life for $1300 can you name?The MacBook Air is a pretty sweet deal.
    well if you have the arm strength to carry one that weighs a full pound more you could build one with a 2.3 Ghz processor and better specs all around, few hours less battery life, $300 less. so I guess for people who can't carry 4-5 lbs around yeah thats a sweet deal.
    Reply