Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, MacBook Air
Prototype MacBook Air found on eBay

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.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jatin747 said 7:49AM on 11-19-2008
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
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André said 7:53AM on 11-19-2008
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.
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Aron T said 10:02AM on 11-19-2008
I award you +100 internets. Congratulations.
mr. Obsession said 8:00AM on 11-19-2008
Wow...André made quick work of that.
Deftly handled.
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bryan ribas said 10:04AM on 11-19-2008
Pow right in the kisser!
Pow right in the kisser!
Pow right in the kisser!
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Josh G said 10:58AM on 11-19-2008
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!
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colouroflight said 11:28AM on 11-19-2008
Cool, it's running Tiger. Or is that a Leopard beta?
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iansltx said 1:50PM on 11-19-2008
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.
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MoMayhem said 4:24PM on 11-19-2008
I have a DTK i would part with....
Hugo said 11:26PM on 11-19-2008
NOW! on Ebay! (The guy decided to sell it)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200278121944
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