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Prototype MacBook Air found on eBay


This is probably old news for most classic Mac collectors, but it's the first I've heard of it: a member of the forums at MacRumors.com bought a MacBook Air "as is" on eBay, and when it showed up, he got something even more valuable than the envelope-filler: a prototype version. As you can see above, there's no "MacBook Air" nameplate under the monitor, and hardware inside is dated to May of 2007, which is way before Apple officially announced the machine.

Apparently someone given an early working version of the notebook has already moved on to the new [REDACTED] that Apple is working on, and has sold off their old prototype of the Air. Very cool -- as I said, collectors know that there are prototypes floating around out there still, but this is the first I've heard of the phenomenon. And I like that it's almost a time capsule back into the beginnings of the product we know now as the Air -- the model name given in the software just says "Mac," so this predates the name we associate with the machine. You wonder what would have happened to a system like this if it hadn't actually gone into production and been released.

This is probably old news for most classic Mac collectors, but it's the first I've heard of it: a member of the forums at MacRumors.com...
 

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Hugo

NOW! on Ebay! (The guy decided to sell it)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200278121944

November 19 2008 at 10:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
iansltx

It's running a proto version of Tiger 10.4.11.

I must say, awesoe find. I wouldn't quite give up my low-end last-gen Macbook Air in trade, but I gotta say that thing is a collector's item. Hope he gets a good chunk of change for it. At least enough to buy a new-gen max'd out MBA...with some DisplayPort video cables thrown in.

Speaking of which, one of the things I love about my macbook Air: video adapter cables are included. A $60 value if you compare 'em to the DisplayPort stuff required on the new MBA.

November 19 2008 at 1:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to iansltx's comment
MoMayhem

I have a DTK i would part with....

November 19 2008 at 4:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
colouroflight

Cool, it's running Tiger. Or is that a Leopard beta?

November 19 2008 at 11:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bryan ribas

Pow right in the kisser!
Pow right in the kisser!
Pow right in the kisser!

November 19 2008 at 10:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Josh

Wow! Thats cool, just think, this computer was probably used by Steve Jobs himself... And it was made a year before the official announcement! It would be so cool to own that!

November 19 2008 at 8:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mr. O

Wow...André made quick work of that.

Deftly handled.

November 19 2008 at 8:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
André

I guess they also faked the red logic board which is one of the sure signs that this is a prototype.

Oh yeah, someone also looked the serial number up inside Apple and it IS a prototype MacBook Air.

Even the battery is dated April 2007.

It's quite easy reading the thread but much easier just commenting with no regards to truth or fact.

November 19 2008 at 7:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to André's comment
Aron Trimble

I award you +100 internets. Congratulations.

November 19 2008 at 10:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jatin747

All of that stuff can be faked easily,
there was a tut at insanelymac.com on how to change the name under the profiler and other hacks around there
also, some paint thinner can get rid of the macbook logo
check the serial number underneath the laptop, decode it (there are tutorials on teh web) and then you will found out the acutal date of production and some more details

November 19 2008 at 7:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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