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how often do you use the SuperDrive? Any regrets?

H

HiFiGuy528

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 24, 2008
1,876
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I just bought a MBA off the Bay. I am not thinking if I really need the SuperDrive. Besides doing a "clean OS X" install as soon as I get it, I don't really see other use for it.

Did you use the SuperDrive for the "clean install" or did you use the Ethernet adaptor? Any issues using the Remote drive?

Any regrets on getting or not getting the SuperDrive?

Thank you for your input. I can't wait to get it.
 
I dont have the computer yet but in all honesty how often do you put a cd into your computer. on a fairly decent basis i would assume. Its only 100 bucks go ahead and get it that way you'll have it. thats not that much to spend to have ease and comfort of always being able to pop a disk in and watch it or listen to something or even to burn a document onto a disk to give to someone. so for 100 bucks I'd say its a no brainer even if you only use it every once in a while
 
I actually carry my SD with my MBA all the time. I've used the Remote Disc quite a bit, transferring files from my Mac Pro. The SD gets used about 4-5X per week, while watching DVDs; transferring video to and from my MBA to do some edits on film clips while working with FCP HD...
 
Apart from reinstalling leopard on this MBP a couple of weeks ago, it must have been months since I used the optical drive. That said, it's unlikely that you use your mac for the exact same things I use mine for.
 
I've had my MBA since April of this year. At first I was going to buy the superdrive, but I wanted to see if I would really need one. All my desktop's at home have dvd burners. So far I have not had the need to have one. I did borrow an external combo drive from work to do the clean leopard install when I first got it. If I do end up getting one, I want to mod it so that I can use it behind a hub, and any other laptop.
 
When I bought my MBA, I decided to pick up the superdrive because I figured that somewhere along the line there would be a time that I needed it, and I would rather have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. I have used it a couple of times, usually while at school to burn something to a disk to turn in.
 
Skystar said:
I've had my MBA since April of this year. At first I was going to buy the superdrive, but I wanted to see if I would really need one. All my desktop's at home have dvd burners. So far I have not had the need to have one. I did borrow an external combo drive from work to do the clean leopard install when I first got it. If I do end up getting one, I want to mod it so that I can use it behind a hub, and any other laptop.
Click to expand...

How was the experience doing the clean install via remote drive? Speed and any hick-ups?
 
DjAmTraX said:
How was the experience doing the clean install via remote drive? Speed and any hick-ups?
Click to expand...

Actually I did not use remote disc, what I meant was I borrowed an external combo drive from a work computer to do the clean install. I use thumb drives to move data mostly.
 
i bought the drive two weeks ago and have only used it once. Part of the reason for this is because my MBA is nearly exclusively used in my lap and laying on my chest if im laying down and the cord for the drive is like 4 inches long. I want to keep it on a level surface. I was going to buy a usb extension but radio shack wants $30!
 
My iBook's SuperDrive broke in April (defective DVD I think) and I've only really needed it for software installations and playing DVD movies. The latter I've done with another computer.

I use flash drives to transfer my data, as I find it more convenient than CDs.
 
I don't regret it.

I added one to my MBA order, back in Feb, because I reasoned there would be times, when I would be re-installing software, etc. I've probably used it on 4 or 5 occasions, so far.:)
 
thehuhman said:
I added one to my MBA order, back in Feb, because I reasoned there would be times, when I would be re-installing software, etc. I've probably used it on 4 or 5 occasions, so far.:)
Click to expand...

Ditto for me. While I rarely use it (and if you asked me right now I couldn't even tell you where I left it), I still have no regrets buying it. As above, used it just a few times over the past 8 months for software installs.
 
I think it's worthless to buy. If you want to watch DVDs just rip them on you imac or mac pro send them to your air open with matinee. You can get at least two or three movies on it that's what I do. Installing just do it with the disc sharing.
 
I use it to burn DVDs and it works just fine for that. I don't burn them very often but it's worth it to have around to me. I also needed it to install windows, of course.
 
I never should have bought that stupid thing. I could have gone out for a nice dinner with the money, instead of getting something I have used all of twice. Even those times I only used it because I was too lazy to use remotedisc.

Not to mention that it is now fraying and coming apart where the cable meets the body of the drive. Do they have the same 1 year warranty as the Air? I would like to at least get it replaced so I can sell it eventually.
 
I never bought the superdrive when i bought my MBA and I don't regret it at all... In 10 months I haven't even used the remote disk... that's not to say that I don't use and install many applications on my MBA but I've just found that downloading, transferring over a network, or using a USB is the way to go. I actually bought a 16GB micro cruzer USB drive for $33 off ebay to accompany my MBA and it's been great for tv shows and movies as well as large install files like office 08.

CDs and DVDs are dead. Quit mourning and move on to faster, smaller, better.
 
The last time I put a CD into my laptop was about a year ago. Literally. And that was on a whim I decided to watch a movie, which I didn't finish anyway.
 
maxrobertson said:
You can always buy one if the need comes up, right? It's actually not to expensive also, which is a nice surprise :).
Click to expand...

hell. i almost buy the superdrive when i bought my MBA. but luckily i didn't. never wanted to put a cd/dvd until now. music and movie downloaded from iTunes store, i do backup, printing and everything wirelessly. hope never need to install OSX. anyway, i can use OSX Remote CD if i have to install Snow Leopard next year.
 
just. Bought mine on eBay for $50. No regrets though I know I'll probably use it 1x a month. Not worth the 100 new but worth it for 50 :)
 
I installed iWork using AirDisk and it felt no slower than doing it with an attached drive (I guess that when installing software, actual data transfer speed is only part of the equation). After that, I was glad I hadn't ordered the SD, as I don't think I'll ever need it.
 
Just got it and i'm watching the departed right now. Yup worth it for $50.00. I must say... Apple gets two THUMBS UP for designing a beautiful external dvd drive. Who'da thought.
 
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