Lion Thumb Drive is now in the Apple Store

Here is an interesting note:

Important Note

When you install OS X Lion using the USB thumb drive, you will not be able to reinstall OS X Lion from Lion Recovery. You will need to use the USB thumb drive to reinstall OS X Lion.

I wonder why Apple dis not see fit to identify the Build number on the disk. MBA owners want to know ehether they can use the drive for their 2011 units, or if the Build is just as useless as the downloadable 11A511 build.

I can tell you its not possible to install lion from apples thumb drive onto the mac mini 2011 and macbook air 2011, I have both at home and tried it and it failed.

Thanks for letting know that. I will return my Apple Thumb Drive tomorrow.

Well I would wait, I've contacted the apple support and they try to clearify that and call me back today. Maybe (I don't really believe) they do have a solution for me!

I am pretty sure that Apple is aware of that problem with Lion reinstall on MBA 2011 and Mac Mini 2011. What I don't like is that Apple didn't add to the description of USB Thumb Drive that it won't work with new MBA and Mac Mini. It just doesn't work anymore.

I agree, they really should.

For me its a big problem that I cannot use the thumb drive. I have a very slow internet connection and a macbook air 2011 and mac mini 2011 ...

Yes, I also don't want to rely upon internet when it comes to Lion installation. I needed a secure, guaranteed way of Lion installation and thought that Apple Thumb Drive was the best option - alas!

I think they'll deliver a solution for us, hopefully.

Why in the world do you want Lion at all in it's early stage, does 10.6..x not do something?

Well, Lion is the only OS which runs on Mac Mini 2011 and MacBook Air 2011!

iMasterus wrote:

Thanks for letting know that. I will return my Apple Thumb Drive tomorrow.

BTW. returning the thumb drive isn't possible because this is software and software can't be returned. Thats the information I got from the apple support!

This link shows how to create your own Lion USB installation drive, using the downloadable Lion upgrade app from the App Store

Again, the Mac Mini 2011 and Macbook Air 2011 are having a diffrent Lion Build on. And its NOT possible to install the Lion Build from the App Store. So your link doesn't help!

fair enough, just though id paste it so people could use this as a test, instead of going out and spending 70 bucks.