I tried to find the update to the MBA 2010 and it doesn't show up in my software update. I went to the direct download page and downloaded it and ran it and it says it cannot install because it is not relevant. It is a new (late 2010) 13.3" MBA with the latest version of OSX.
Well - if that's the case I stand corrected. But I didn't know Apple released software updates for earlier versions of the same OS. If OS X 10.6.6 fixed the problem I would think they would just direct people to update to the most recent version of the OS rather than go to the trouble to release an update that fixes an issue in an older version of the OS.
Think about what this is...this wasn't an update to the OS, it was an update for one of the iLife apps. An actual OS update would be announced, and have incremented the OS version (i.e. 10.6.7). Apple frequently offers incremental updates to different pieces of what they sell (example:, say Final Cut Express needs an update). They'll offer that out there, without much of an announcement, but still it will be there if you perform a Software Update (IF you've got Final Cut Express loaded).
I was under the impression that this update was to fix a sleep issue with the late 2010 MBA, not a specific software app. It was released today. You would think it would apply to all late 2010 MBA's
If it is indeed just for 10.6.5 then that is consistent with the System Requirements - but inconsistent with how it's been broadly reported in the Apple/IT press (which, of course, is beyond Apple's control).
Either way, it's times like this that I wish that Apple would see fit to add *one or two* additional words of clarification on their own descriptions of these updates - would save us all wondering in this case.
I was surprised that I wasn't see this update in SU, so I downloaded the DMG from the Apple support page. I ran the installer, and it tells me that the update cannot be installed, that "this volume does not meet the requirements for this update." I'd be surprised if it applies to 10.6.5 only, but I don't see any other logic.
Do NOT believe Software Update. This is a serious problem and it's not clear what is going on. I just encountered it under the following circumstances and as you will see, it is NOT behaving as expected.
Systems:
2
identical MacBook Pro 17" 2.4 gHz laptops
Installed the base OS X 10.6 install as downloaded from the Apple Developer download area. Burned to DVD. Booted DVD, erased internal hard drive using Disk Utility, installed 10.6 on both laptops.
After booting, selected Software Update. One machine saw the 10.6.5 update (and subsequent 10.6.6 update). The other reported confidently that 10.6 was the current version and no updates were necessary.
Clearly something is broken. The current version for all Intel Macs should be 10.6.6. If it doesn't say that in About This Mac and Software Update tells you no updates are available (assuming you are running some version of Snow Leopard), something is broken.
And yes, the manually downloaded 10.6.5 combo updater also fails to install on the machine reporting that it is up to date. There is no logical reason for a clean install of 10.6 to fail to recognize the newer OS updates for Snow Leopard.
I will file a bug report on this, but it'd be helpful if someone from Apple would weigh in here, because this is a real problem for a number of users if the comments here are any indication.