Are USB sticks bootable on current MBAs?

hkim1983 · Jan 20, 2013, 07:34 PM

This might seem like a silly question, but I'm contemplating replacing my current MBP with a MBA, and one of the things that's preventing me from doing that is something I read awhile ago, were you couldn't boot up from USB sticks on MBAs. I don't know if this was actually true or not, but if so, it would be kind of annoying, as I would use that to install Windows and as a re-install disk incase I ever have to do a clean-install of OS X.

I appreciate the help and time.

tmagman · Jan 20, 2013, 07:37 PM

you can most definitely boot a windows OS installer from an ISO file on a USB stick. Its designed that way for use with the boot camp assistant. As for reinstalling OS X, you likely wouldn't need to because the built in recovery partition that includes everything you need to reinstall os x

Mrbobb · Jan 20, 2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmagman

the built in recovery partition that includes everything you need to reinstall os x

The built-in recovery partition doesn't have a complete OS image and will download it from the web, assuming a working Internet. It's nicer to already have it on a stick, or external usb drive.

Saturn1217 · Jan 20, 2013, 08:38 PM

I just got a macbook air and I reinstalled the OS using a usb flash drive so I can confirm that it works (with no problems and much faster than waiting to download the file which took forever!).

monkeybagel · Jan 20, 2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkim1983

This might seem like a silly question, but I'm contemplating replacing my current MBP with a MBA, and one of the things that's preventing me from doing that is something I read awhile ago, were you couldn't boot up from USB sticks on MBAs. I don't know if this was actually true or not, but if so, it would be kind of annoying, as I would use that to install Windows and as a re-install disk incase I ever have to do a clean-install of OS X.

I appreciate the help and time.

Macintoshes have booted from USB for years but only recently have booted Windows. New MacBook Airs and Pros and minis will indeed boot Windows.

hkim1983 · Jan 20, 2013, 08:54 PM

Thank you for the quick responses. Now when I do make the transition over to a MBA, I can do so without worries.

Jan 20, 2013, 07:34 PM	#1
hkim1983 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2009	Are USB sticks bootable on current MBAs? This might seem like a silly question, but I'm contemplating replacing my current MBP with a MBA, and one of the things that's preventing me from doing that is something I read awhile ago, were you couldn't boot up from USB sticks on MBAs. I don't know if this was actually true or not, but if so, it would be kind of annoying, as I would use that to install Windows and as a re-install disk incase I ever have to do a clean-install of OS X. I appreciate the help and time.
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Jan 20, 2013, 07:37 PM	#2
tmagman macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary AB	you can most definitely boot a windows OS installer from an ISO file on a USB stick. Its designed that way for use with the boot camp assistant. As for reinstalling OS X, you likely wouldn't need to because the built in recovery partition that includes everything you need to reinstall os x __________________ rMBP 15" 2.7 i7, 16GB, 512GB Asus G73SW-A1 2.0Q i7, GT460M 1.5GB, 12GB iPad2 64-3G, iPhone 4S 64GB 7D, 15-85, 70-300 DO, 50 1.4, LB Composer DG, LB Scout Fisheye, Canon S100
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Jan 20, 2013, 08:38 PM	#4
Saturn1217 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2008	I just got a macbook air and I reinstalled the OS using a usb flash drive so I can confirm that it works (with no problems and much faster than waiting to download the file which took forever!). __________________ 13" MBA 2012, 2.0 GHz i7, 8GB RAM, 256 SSD
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Jan 20, 2013, 08:54 PM	#6
hkim1983 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2009	Thank you for the quick responses. Now when I do make the transition over to a MBA, I can do so without worries.
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