Apple Store Down, Mac OS X Lion Expected

The wait for the latest version of Mac OS X is finally over. We have known for quite a while that its release was imminent. Today seems to be the day. The Apple store is already down. Mac OS X Lion and a couple of new Macbooks are expected to be available in the store by the time it is back on. OS X Lion has over 250 new features over its predecessor. It will be available through the Mac App Store for those with a compatible Mac computer.

The new Apple laptops are expected to have Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs inside with high speed Thunderbolt ports on-board. Backlit keyboards are part of the deal too. Interestingly, there are rumors that Apple may start to phase out its entry level Macbook laptop and put an entry level Macbook Air in its place. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of Concord Securities has revealed to AppleInsider that the white Macbooks have been losing momentum.

We doubt Apple will continue to offer white Macbooks in their current form considering the state of its laptop portfolio. The company has had a smashing quarter thanks to iPhone and iPad sales. Discontinuing the entry level Macbook would not hurt the company that badly. The trouble is, entry level Macbook Air is not for everyone and could turn off some.