Apple’s Lion operating system available for $30

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Having just reported a blowout quarter, Apple Inc. began selling its latest operating system, Lion, as a download for $30 on Wednesday.

The company also updated its ultrathin MacBook Air computers with new processors, a backlit keyboard and its Thunderbolt technology, which can carry data 20 times faster than most current processors. The MacBook Air costs $999 and up.

Apple also released a Mac mini with new Intel core processors, as well as Thunderbolt and the Lion operating system. The Mac mini starts at $599.