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According to Apple Insider, Apple won't be shipping any new Macs until Mac OS X Lion is available. The rationale is that "Apple management is so pumped up over the advantages presented by its forthcoming Mac OS X Lion operating system that the company has been holding back the release of at least one new Mac refresh until the software is finalized". In addition, Computer World reported that Apple has announced all new Macs purchased after June 6, 2011 will receive a free OS X Lion upgrade.

The reason we must wait for new hardware — the spin goes — is because Apple is so excited about Lion its holding back hardware releases, we think there may be more of a practical side to this decision.

Apple is introducing a brand new distribution method with OS X Lion — download only. This means you can't purchase a boxed copy with a DVD. Again, download only through the Mac App Store. The size of Lion is around 4GB. Steve said that this is similar to downloading an HD Movie from iTunes. But still 4GB. So think about this: If you were Apple, would you want to ship new hardware now, prior to OS X Lion's release? All this would do is significantly increase the number of OS X Snow Leopard Macs in the market. According to the rumors these are significant hardware updates: Thunderbolt and Sandy Bridge processor Macs. People are going to want those, and in a large number in MacBook Airs and Mac Minis.

While Apple's Lion distribution method is bold, we think Apple may be trying to keep demand for OS X Lion within its ability to deliver. The first 72 hours are going to  test Apple's server farms like never before. If Apple were to release new hardware AFTER Lion ships (which is what they intend) the number Snow Leopard Macs stays relatively close to where it was when Lion was formally debuted on June 6th.

We believe Apple will release Lion early in the month of July rather than later, so Apple can start shipping those new hardware goodies as well. Looks to be a sizzling summer. We can't wait for the heat of July.

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