Apple Updates MacBook Air and Mac Mini, Unveils New Thunderbolt Display

OS X Lion’s arrival in the Mac App Store this morning coincided with the launch of some new Apple hardware. Early Wednesday morning, the company refreshed its MacBook Air and Mac Mini lineups. Both gain the latest Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors and support for Apple’s new high-speed Thunderbolt I/O port. The MacBook Air now boasts a backlit keyboard, and FireWire and Ethernet ports have returned to the Mac Mini, which no longer has a DVD drive. “Mac mini is designed without an optical disc drive. Because these days, you don’t need one,” says Apple.

Also uncrated this morning, a new Thunderbolt Display. Outfitted with Thunderbolt I/O technology, the 27-inch LED display also boasts a 2.1 speaker system, three USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 and Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a MagSafe connector that charges a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Price: $999.

The new Airs and Minis are available for purchase in the Apple Store now, but won’t arrive at brick-and-mortar stores until Thursday. The Thunderbolt Display should arrive at market within the next 60 days.