Fake/Counterfeit MacBook Air???

[coast1ja]

Hey guys, I just came across this on ebay: LINKY TO FAKE MBA

It appears to have an atom CPU and only 1gb of ram... but it also lists a 160gb HDD (larger than a MBA). It even lists XP as the OS... HAHA, it's not even a Mac! They did do a pretty good job with the box, as it looks kinda real. Also, it's a 12"... crazy.

What gives?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

12" screen with a camera? This is just crazy.

 

[coast1ja]

haha, I asked the seller for the serial number... and he gave me one!... not recognized though. It's S158A897NO55D23A for those that are intrigued.

 

[dmmcintyre3]

Lol:

 

[iGrant]

Hey guys, I just came across this on ebay: LINKY TO FAKE MBA

It appears to have an atom CPU and only 1gb of ram... but it also lists a 160gb HDD (larger than a MBA). It even lists XP as the OS... HAHA, it's not even a Mac! They did do a pretty good job with the box, as it looks kinda real. Also, it's a 12"... crazy.

What gives?

The computer in the box looks like an old G4 iBook that I had once . . . who wants to send 800 bucks to see what this computer really is ???

-iGrant

 

[Gadgetman99]

Hey guys, I just came across this on ebay: LINKY TO FAKE MBA

It appears to have an atom CPU and only 1gb of ram... but it also lists a 160gb HDD (larger than a MBA). It even lists XP as the OS... HAHA, it's not even a Mac! They did do a pretty good job with the box, as it looks kinda real. Also, it's a 12"... crazy.

What gives?

I reported it, so I would expect it to get pulled real soon. I would hate to be the person that gets stuck with a $250 netbook for $800 or more instead of a real Macbook Air.

I would not care if he/she were selling it as a novelty and stating that it is just a netbook that looks like a Macbook Air, but to state it is an MBA is just wrong, and illegal.

 

[iGrant]

I reported it, so I would expect it to get pulled real soon. I would hate to be the person that gets stuck with a $250 netbook for $800 or more instead of a real Macbook Air.

I reported it as well . . . that is a scam all kinds of up and down . . . plan and simple.

-iGrant

 

[Encolpius]

Here's an advertisement for the item, from hardmac.com

http://www.hardmac.com/

 

[Ringfinger]

The seller has 3 of them out there and one of them actually has bids.

 

[ericvmazzone]

The seller has 3 of them out there and one of them actually has bids.

This guy has never posted an auction before. All of his ratings come from buying and from a while ago. I think his account has been hijacked by someone else that's listed this stuff.

Unfortunate.

 

[coast1ja]

Interesting advert. from HardMac... I tried to go to their website... it appears to be down.

Anyway, the hardmac ones you show only come in 11 and 13 inch, the one on ebay is 12. I wonder how much it would cost to take a 12" netbook and stick the insides into a MBA-like case???

 

[mcpryon2]

It's too bad that eBay does next to nothing about reported auctions now. I guess that 0% seller growth is really starting to hurt.

I've reported dozens of items in the last few months and not one has been taken down. There is another "macbook air" being sold on there right now that is just a Windows-running clone.

I guess it's time to do a story on their non-response to reports; that'll be a fun phone call.

 

[synth3tik]

Lol:

My stupid MBP can't take 32G of RAM

 

[ayeying]

My stupid MBP can't take 32G of RAM

Its expansion cards, SD Cards, not actual RAM

 

[Gadgetman99]

It's too bad that eBay does next to nothing about reported auctions now. I guess that 0% seller growth is really starting to hurt.

I've reported dozens of items in the last few months and not one has been taken down. There is another "macbook air" being sold on there right now that is just a Windows-running clone.

I guess it's time to do a story on their non-response to reports; that'll be a fun phone call.

The really funny thing is, I had a tablet PC on ebay this week, with the statement "Almost Macbook Air size", and they pulled it! I was simply letting people know it is thin and lite, similar to MBA. But this guy blatantly lies and claims a fake clone netbook IS an MBA, and gets away with it after multiple fraud reports. Makes you wonder...

 

[GeekGirl*]

now he has a bid.

 

[coast1ja]

The really funny thing is, I had a tablet PC on ebay this week, with the statement "Almost Macbook Air size", and they pulled it! I was simply letting people know it is thin and lite, similar to MBA. But this guy blatantly lies and claims a fake clone netbook IS an MBA, and gets away with it after multiple fraud reports. Makes you wonder...

haha, yeah, I've seen things taken down because they say "like-new condition"... it's pretty ridiculous what they choose to take down and not take down.

 

[Consultant]

It's surprising that the auction is still up.

Is it a 3 day auction? With 1 day left?

Looks like the people working at ebay don't realize Apple computers don't come with windows installed?

At least the bidder is also a scammer, 1 bid each on each of the 3 auctions by the same seller. Actually that's probably the scammer bidding on his own auction.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

It's surprising that the auction is still up.

Is it a 3 day auction? With 1 day left?

Looks like the people working at ebay don't realize Apple computers don't come with windows installed?

At least the bidder is also a scammer, 1 bid each on each of the 3 auctions by the same seller. Actually that's probably the scammer bidding on his own auction.

The Windows thing isn't necessarily a give away. I've seen a few genuine MacBook Airs for sale in the last few weeks which have come with Windows installed because the user didn't like OS X.

I'm surprised eBay haven't done anything about this. I reported all the listings too so we know that a good handful of us have reported it.

 

[ericvmazzone]

I contacted this guy asking why the item inside the box does not look like a MacBook Air. His reply, it's just a funny camera angle and lighting. I replied asking why it says 12.1 in. when the MBA only comes in a 13.3 in. I'm still waiting for this guys response.

 

[coast1ja]

I contacted this guy asking why the item inside the box does not look like a MacBook Air. His reply, it's just a funny camera angle and lighting. I replied asking why it says 12.1 in. when the MBA only comes in a 13.3 in. I'm still waiting for this guys response.

yeah, after he gave me the serial number I told him that it wasn't recognized by apple and asked if it was a fake... no response.

 

[ericvmazzone]

yeah, after he gave me the serial number I told him that it wasn't recognized by apple and asked if it was a fake... no response.

He's ignored me since I sent the last question.

 

[pukifloyd]

Lol these things are pretty awesome

 

[Sun Baked]

I'm surprised you didn't send the sale link to Apple.

Really bad when they call it a MacBook Air, slap an Apple sticker on it, and ship it with Windows.

 

[coast1ja]

Wow, the one I linked in the OP is bid up to $910!... some poor sucker is going to be mighty disappointed.