This rumor, if true, may be a sign that Apple wants to compete with netbooks or that in this economy, they don’t think that consumers will continue to pay a premium for the Apple name in the longterm. Either way, Apple may push the cost of the MacBook Air down while extending its feature set. Unnamed sources for SiliconRumors claim that an entry-level model will push the price down to between $1,300 and $1,500, or at least $300 less than the current model. Whether this would be a smaller model or just a price cut isn’t clear.

The same tips say that Apple will add at least an option for built-in 3G for wide-area wireless and may make solid-state drives standard on all models instead of a high-end option. GPS to locate the Mac is an option but “less likely.”

While I am not a big Mac fan, I admit that the design and thin profile of the MacBook Air was very cool. Still, it wasn’t cool enough to lure me into buying the overpriced machine and I hoped that other manufacturers would offer similarly sized Windows PC.

At CES 2009, I laid my eyes on the MSI X-Slim series that offers Air-like dimensions at a much lower price. MSI reportedly has two more X-Slim machines debuting soon called the X600 and the X400. The machines are thin and offer larger screen sizes for users wanting portability with more screen space.

Back in February, a Turkish Airways jet crashed in Amsterdam. Nine people were killed and 121 were injured. One passenger, Sefer Baris, along with his MacBook Air managed to survive the crash. Sefer was in seat number seven at the front of business class.

He was watching a movie when it happened. When the plane began to land he closed the Macbook and put it into it’s skin. Sefer broke his neck, while his MacBook just got a little warped. It’s bent and beat up, but booted up and is expected to recover.

iFixit and TechRepublic have teamed up to give us a peek at the innards of Dell’s new thin and light ultraportable Adamo. They wanted to see how it stacked up against Apple’s MacBook Air, so they compared build quality and specifics.

What did they find? Well, the Adamo features a 11.1 volt 40 Watt hour battery, compared to the Air’s 7.2 volt 37 Watt hour battery, and accounts for a greater percentage of the weight of the computer than the Air. The Adamo looks like it features a lot more technology in an only slightly heavier package.

Another week, another rumor. Chinese site Apple.pro is saying there’s a 15-inch MacBook Air in the works. We can’t dismiss this one outright because a 15 inch MacBook Air would be an interesting compromise between portability and screen, so color us intrigued.

It’s very possible, but we are taking it with the usual grain of salt, even though Apple.pro was dead on about the leaked unibody MacBook pictures. As usual, I guess we will find out in time. Are any of you interested in a MacBook that’s thin and light with a big screen? I’m sure you are.

Have a look at this teaser site and while you’re at it, this site. Looks like Dell has a laptop coming that could be both lighter and thinner than the MacBook Air. A Dell that is sleek? Is that possible? Apparently.

Tatelman, Dell’s VP of consumer sales and marketing seems to have given it away, when asked about whether or not Dell had an Air-like product in store. Tatelman’s reaction? His “mouth gaped open and his eyes darted away from my face”. Tatelman then said:
“I think we need to get some iconic products out there, so people associate Dell’s brand with other things.” That would be goodbye to clunky, and hello to sleek.

I’m not sure why on Earth you would want to, but the U-Suit Case makes your Macbook Air look a lot like a Dell. Most users who love their Macbook Air, probably aren’t very fond of the Dell Inspiron. But should you happen to love both, the U-Suit Premium from Uniea will let you rock both worlds.

Just slip the case made of napa leather on to your Macbook Air. It comes in black and red and is scratch resistant and impact resistant. The detailing is really nice and your laptop will be quite a conversation piece since it can’t make up it’s mind. Is it a Mac or a Dell?

I’ve seen both love and hate toward some other MacBook Air cases, I guess it all depends on what your style is. This one is sure to please just because it’s different. The ivolution Leather Macbook Air Case from Vaja is…a leather case for your MacBook Air. It’s gotta beat a manilla folder right? It provides some protection from those sharp edges and has a nice sleek and fitted look. What the hell, make your MacBook more like your car interior.

Agent 18, a maker of primarily cases for portable media players like the iPod, is unveiling today a new case for the popular MacBook Air. It is called the MacBook Air Shield and you’ll find it retailing for around $50.

The Agent 18 MacBook Air Shield is made of durable polycarbonate and available in three colors, including white, black and pink. Agent 18 says the case offers fully functional protection with sacrificing “any style of the world’s thinnest notebook.”

Who knew that the MacBook Air could cut you? It’s not a laptop to be messed with. Piss it off and you’ll get an iCut. At least that’s what some whacky Germans are claiming. Supposedly “Apple Talk” reader Bajuware, was just hanging out minding his own business when his MBA went all bloodthirsty on his elbow.

It looks like it cut him good, like a convict with a shiv! Another German dude says that he can slice bread with his MBA. I don’t know if the MBA can actually seek vengeance on their human masters, but I like the idea that laptops can be multi-purpose tolls in the kitchen. They slice, they dice… I’m calling Ron Popeil. I have an idea.

Speck earlier this month unveiled a couple of new cases for the Apple MacBook Air and the 20-inch iMac. These new SeeThru Hard Shells are priced both at around $50.

The Speck SeeThru Hard Shell for the MacBook Air is a two-piece snap design made of plastic. It offers access to all ports, the keyboard and other external items. The case is a clear design and is reportedly shatter proof as well. It comes in multiple colors, including clear, smoke, red, bronze and pink.

There are all kinds of wacky mice out there, and I ain’t talking wacky cartoon mice. Most are not particularly innovative, but the Donya DN-SlimG4 has something new to offer. It looks like a Razor-esque cell phone, and folds up into a neat little square package.

Taking a queue from the marketing folks for Apple’s new MacBook Air, Timbuk2 has announced the Steve Sleeve. The thin case designed specifically for the notebook resembles the manila envelope that Apple uses in their commercials and that Steve Jobs used to originally present the Macbook Air.

Timbuk2 assures us that when the Steve Sleeve actually starts shipping in March we’ll find that it’s much tougher than a standard manila enveloper, however. It has a soft low-pile fleece lining (from recycle-ready poly no less), an exterior made from the same stuff as mountaineering jackets, ultrasonic welds on the seems and brushed (recyclable) aluminum buttons.

Incipio Technologies is getting early into the accessories market for the hot new MacBook Air by unveiling a sleeve for the uber-thin laptop. The Incipio Technologies Orion Sleeve is priced at around $30.

The Incipio Technologies Orion Sleeve is available in four colors and is made of synthetic leather and high density foam. It is also lined with soft micro suede to give your MacBook Air a comfy ride. Weight of this laptop sleeve tops out at just 7.5 ounces.

It looks like those MacBook Air rumors were really not too far off. Today Steve Jobs announced the latest addition to the MacBook lineup at MacWorld in San Francisco, touting it as the thinnest notebook in the world. The MacBook Air measures a mere 0.16 inches at its thinnest point, and it only gets as thick as 0.76 inches at the hinged end.

The Air Mac will start shipping in about two weeks with a retail price of $1,799, and comes with the following features: