---
title: "Apple Releases OS X Lion, Refreshes MacBook Air, Mac Mini, Introduces Thunderbolt Display"
date: 2011-07-21 10:41:08
permalink: https://lesterchan.net/blog/2011/07/21/apple-releases-os-x-lion-refreshes-macbook-air-mac-mini-introduces-thunderbolt-display/
author: Lester Chan
categories:
  - "Desktop, Laptop & Server"
  - Monitor
  - Software
tags:
  - "2.7"
  - Apple
  - lion
  - Mac mini
  - MacBook Air
  - OS X
  - Thunderbolt
---

## OS X Lion

Mac OS X Lion is finally released, it cost **US$29.99** in the Mac App Store. I was downloading this at 11MB/s (megabytes not megabits) yesterday night! If you have a slower Internet connection, Lion will be made available on a USB thumb drive through the Apple Store (Singapore) for **S$88**. Mac OS X Lion is the eighth major release of Mac OS. It has more than 250 new features such as new Multi-Touch gestures, system-wide support for full screen apps, Mission Control, Mac App Store, Launchpad and a new re-designed Mail app. It seems that Xcode 4.1 ([App Store link](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xcode/id448457090?mt=12)) is free (usual US$4.99) for OS X Lion only and FaceTime is included in OS X Lion ([App Store Link](http://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/facetime/id414307850?mt=12)) (usual US$0.99).

Website: [Apple (Singapore) – Mac OS X Lion](http://www.apple.com/sg/macosx/)  
Mac App Store: [Mac OS X Lion](http://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/os-x-lion/id444303913?mt=12&ls=1)

## MacBook Air

MacBook Air now includes the Intel Sandy Bridge Core i5/i7 processor, Thunderbolt I/O and backlit keyboard. It also seems that the white MacBook is phrased out in favor of the lowest end MacBook Air which starts at S$1,288. MacBook Air supports Bluetooth 4.0 with [Bluetooth Low Energy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_low_energy). - **11-inch: 64GB – S$1,288**
    - 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
    - 2GB memory
    - 64GB flash storage
    - Intel HD Graphics 3000
- **11-inch: 128GB – S$1,588**
    - 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
    - 4GB memory
    - 128GB flash storage
    - Intel HD Graphics 3000
- **13-inch: 128GB – S$1,688**
    - 1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
    - 4GB memory
    - 128GB flash storage
    - Intel HD Graphics 3000
- **13-inch: 256GB – S$2,088**
    - 1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
    - 4GB memory
    - 256GB flash storage
    - Intel HD Graphics 3000

Website: [Apple (Singapore) – MacBook Air](http://www.apple.com/sg/macbookair/)  
Shop: [Apple Store (Singapore) – MacBook Air](http://store.apple.com/sg/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select?mco=MjMzOTQxMjE)

## Mac Mini

Similar with the MacBook Air, the Mac mini also receives the updated Intel Sandy Bridge Core i5/i7 processor and Thunderbolt I/O treatment and it seems that the optical drive got ditched by Mac mini. The death of CD is sooner than you think! Also Mac mini supports Bluetooth 4.0 and [Bluetooth Low Energy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_low_energy). In the higher end Mac mini (S$1,088) discrete graphics (AMD Radeon HD 6630M) is being supported for the first time. - **2.3GHz: 500GB – S$788**
    - 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
    - 2GB memory
    - 500GB hard drive
    - Intel HD Graphics 3000
- **2.5GHz: 500GB – S$1,088**
    - 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
    - 4GB memory
    - 500GB hard drive
    - AMD Radeon HD 6630M
- **2.0GHz: Dual 500GB – S$1,348**
    - 2.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
    - 4GB memory
    - Dual 500GB 7200-rpm hard drives
    - Intel HD Graphics 3000
    - OS X Lion Server

Website: [Apple (Singapore) – MacBook Air](http://www.apple.com/sg/macmini/)  
Shop: [Apple Store (Singapore) – MacBook Air](http://store.apple.com/sg/browse/home/shop_mac/family/mac_mini/select?mco=MjMzOTQxMTc)

## Thunderbolt Display

Looks like Apple rebranded Cinema Display to Thunderbolt Display. It now supports Thunderbolt and acts as a docking station for MacBook Pro/Air with a Thunderbolt cable and MagSafe connector. It is a 27″ monitor (16:9 – 2560px x 1440px) with LED backlight and IPS panel. It has built-in FaceTime HD camera and microphone to make video calls and ambient light sensor to adjusts your screen brightness accordingly. It is going for **S$1,348**! Website: [Apple (Singapore) – Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)](http://www.apple.com/sg/displays/)  
Shop: [Apple Store (Singapore) – Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)](http://store.apple.com/sg/product/MC914ZP/A)