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So after all those MBAs showed up as Prepared for Shipping and then went back to Not Yet Shipped, what do you suppose we are waiting for? Are they just going to suddenly unleash a huge shipment?

I think they initially went to "Prepared for Shipping" because of whatever automatic mechanism Apple has in the background to manage their online ordering system. Apple likely has an internal launch date which is partially based on the delivery of samples to professional reviewers and deployment of the ad campaign.

If 10.5.2 was the reason for the 'holdback,' there is no way "incomplete" 10.5.1 units would have found their way into the hands of people like Mossberg and Ed Baig.
 
I think they initially went to "Prepared for Shipping" because of whatever automatic mechanism Apple has in the background to manage their online ordering system. Apple likely has an internal launch date which is partially based on the delivery of samples to professional reviewers and deployment of the ad campaign.

If 10.5.2 was the reason for the 'holdback,' there is no way "incomplete" 10.5.1 units would have found their way into the hands of people like Mossberg and Ed Baig.


And with all the advertising. So many factors that makes me think next week is it!
 
Well...we are getting at least one report of demo units in stores. From the Apple forum for MBA:

Evangelist-
"Wrong. As I have posted previously in this Forum, my local Apple Store (Raleigh NC) DOES HAVE a MacBook Air available for hands-on use! There was actually a waiting line to get it and time limit to use it. I would seriously doubt the Apple Store in North Carolina is the only store to have a MBA demo unit."


Hmmmm
 
Gosh I hope you guys are right -- I have to take 3 trips in the first 3 weeks of Feb and I am already jazzed to try traveling with just 2 carry-on bags -- I love my MBP, but not when I'm on the road.

JT
 
Somebody want to call the Raleigh store and find out for sure? and ask when the actual units for sale come in.
 
Stop this nonsense! You're all making me want a MBA, and i just can't afford one! :D

I hope you're all gonna get them soon though, i can't wait to hear some proper user reviews, rather than the standard bumf from review websites etc.
 
Stop this nonsense! You're all making me want a MBA, and i just can't afford one! :D

I hope you're all gonna get them soon though, i can't wait to hear some proper user reviews, rather than the standard bumf from review websites etc.

I understand, I am the exact same way. But, I am absolutely waiting for Version 2 of it.
 
I think they initially went to "Prepared for Shipping" because of whatever automatic mechanism Apple has in the background to manage their online ordering system. Apple likely has an internal launch date which is partially based on the delivery of samples to professional reviewers and deployment of the ad campaign.

If 10.5.2 was the reason for the 'holdback,' there is no way "incomplete" 10.5.1 units would have found their way into the hands of people like Mossberg and Ed Baig.

What makes you say that 10.5.1 is so incomplete? From what i heard about 10.5.2, a big update there is for time machine, possibly for the upcoming time capsule wireless backup feature, not so much the remote disk option. And with time capsule being release in a couple of weeks yet, why wouldn't they be focusing that update for the time capsule release, as opposed to the MBA release?
 
Somebody want to call the Raleigh store and find out for sure? and ask when the actual units for sale come in.

Called; they don't have it out (according to the guy to whom I spoke).

I called all 3 NC stores; none have it on display.

What makes you say that 10.5.1 is so incomplete? From what i heard about 10.5.2, a big update there is for time machine, possibly for the upcoming time capsule wireless backup feature, not so much the remote disk option. And with time capsule being release in a couple of weeks yet, why wouldn't they be focusing that update for the time capsule release, as opposed to the MBA release?

If we are to believe those who suggest that the MBA is being held back for a preinstalled 10.5.2 update, then the 10.5.1-equipped MBA review samples currently out there are indeed "incomplete." IMO, there is no way Apple would let high-visibility reviewers make final judgments based on a product that is not in fully shipment-ready form.
 
Latest response from one of my local stores:

Hello,

We will have both "standard" configurations in store. ($1799 and $3098). We hope to have them within the week.

Thanks!

Awesome. This would jive exactly with what Jobs said. Frankly, this makes sense -- he was very precise in his "2-week" comment, he didn't just say "very soon" or "next month". Would you really want to be the head engineer (or whomever) that told SJ the wrong date and let him announce it at MWSF?

And that's also nice to hear about the higher cost standard config being available.

Hopefully we're on the edge of a big shipment from China.

JT
 
im guessing all the preorder ppl units and the store units .. will be shipped at the same time in one big shipment

but i hope our preorders ship a day or 2 before the stores hehe
 
im guessing all the preorder ppl units and the store units .. will be shipped at the same time in one big shipment

but i hope our preorders ship a day or 2 before the stores hehe


Some pre-orders will probably get theirs like a day before the store I am guessing. Some might even after depending on where you are and how far down the pre-order list.
 
My local Apple Store (Short Hills Mall) in NJ said that they will definitely have MacBook Airs in stock next week.
 
kind of annoying they won't have any other models other than the two standard. I was hoping to pick up a 1.8ghz with 4200 HD and upgrade at a later date when i walked into the store next week. =(
 
Store update- Southlake TX

2 PM Central.

Just got back from the store. No confirmation on ship date to the store, just we hope next week.

Interestingly, the sales rep said that they have all the sales displays (didn't mention any actual units) in the back ready to put up. I didn't ask when they would actually put them up however.
 
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