Black MacBook Air Rumor Proves Premature, But An $899 Air Would Be Exciting

Yesterday, MacRumors’ Eric Slivka reported along with widely consensual specualtion that a Sandy Bridge-based Core “i” MacBook Air refresh is imminent in the very near future, that the past week, MR had also received several anonymous tips claiming that the next-generation MacBook Air would be be available in a black finish.

Based on the popularity of the 2006 – 2008 black Mark 1 MacBook model, a black Air would seem to make a lot of marketing sense, but apparently this rumor was montly hot air.

Later in the day, Appleinsider’s Slash Lane updated his coverage of the black MacBook Air story, reporting that according to emails received by MacRumors from an claimed Apple employee explained that while Apple had been experimenting with black powder coated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, Steve Jobs “killed the idea” because the coating soaks up body oils, making the palm rest especially look gross. adding that “At some point we may offer a black coating, but it won’t be powder coat, and it won’t be anytime soon.”

Sounds plausible, and for would-be black MacBook Air fans and buyers, there is apparently some hope, but don’t be holding your breath just yet.

i4u.com’s Luigi Lugmayr also weighed in on a black MacBook Air version, adding that according to a tip received by 9to5Mac Apple is purported to be lowering the price of the entry-level 11.6″ MacBook Air to $899.

That would be exciting, and likely a wise move for Apple that I think would virtually assure the veracity of another speculative suggestion by 9To5 Mac’s Seth Weintraub that MacBook Airs will account for be half of Apple’s laptops in 2011, but we’ll have to see.