Non-standard configs in stores? Looking for a 11" i5 4GB RAM 256GB SSD

[PecanEater]

I'm thinking the 11" i5 4GB RAM 256GB SSD is what I need. Anyone seen these in stores this morning? What about previous launch days, any non-standard versions aside from the maxed out version?

I suspect I may be able to find the maxed out 11" (i7, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD) but I'm thinking the i7 isn't worth it for my use and will probably just drain power.

 

[mac jones]

no, only online for this.

They may have the maxed version (or whatever they consider maxed) like they did with the 2010 lineup

 

[KPOM]

If you are near a store, it's worth a shot. The 5th Avenue Store had the Core i7 11" model (which I just bought). I didn't ask about the Core i5. The larger urban stores tend to have more custom configurations, while the suburban stores tend to just have base models.

 

[mac jones]

If you are near a store, it's worth a shot. The 5th Avenue Store had the Core i7 11" model (which I just bought). I didn't ask about the Core i5. The larger urban stores tend to have more custom configurations, while the suburban stores tend to just have base models.

Ah, so they are selling the i7 11" in stores. (at least the NYC store).

Good.

 

[PecanEater]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

I'm waiting outside a local Apple store. Spoke to someone at the door and they say they have it. We'll see at 10am!

 

[PecanEater]

No luck. I've checked three local stores. All have the two "standard" 11" versions and the maxed out 11" but nothing in between. At least that I can find out.

I have to say it's extremely frustrating dealing with the Apple store employees. In all three visits I entered the store and asked about 11" MBAs with 256GB SSD drives. In all three cases I was told unequivocally that they didn't have them. "Are you sure?", "yes". I push a little more "because I've heard you do" and they do a little more checking and find they have the 11" i7 4GB 256GB version. Who knows what else they have that they don't know about...

 

[FieldingMellish]

My maxed out 11 is having data transferred to it as I type this. Picking it up later this afternoon.

 

[KPOM]

Officially Apple stores only carry the "base" models advertised on the website, and the Core i7 and 256GB models (apart from the 13") are considered CTO and available by order only. That said, larger stores often have some CTO configurations. It depends on the experience of the associates whether they realize this. At 5th Avenue, the salesman knew what was in stock when I asked about buying the Core i7 11" model. At other stores (including the Upper West Side), I've had them give the standard "its a special order" line, but then take a look in back after pressing them (this happened last year when I experienced issues with my first Rev D).

Apple has quickly become a large retailer, and unfortunately, their associates can be spotty, much like any other retailer. They do so much off-the-shelf iOS-related business that they don't really devote that much attention to Mac sales, which can be more complicated.