I think I'm going with an Air

[jgc]

Ok, I think I have made a decision on what I will get.

This hard drive from Apple http://store.apple.com/us/product/H7431ZM/A/western-digital-1tb-my-passport-for-mac-portable-hard-drive

A 13 inch air

This monitor http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+20%22+Widescreen+Flat-Panel+LCD+Monitor/1422209.p?id=1218257754431&skuId=1422209&st=lcd%20monitor&cp=1&lp=1

A DVI adaptor

A magic track pad

Thoughts? Has anyone used Apple's hard drives? I could probably skip on the track pad if needed.

Looks good but I have a few suggestions.

The hard drive is made by Western Digital. Apple doesn't make their own hard drives. They're a great product but Apple puts a huge mark-up on them in their store. If you want to save some money, you can get the same hard drive for less at BestBuy if you click here. Not only is it $30 less, but it supports USB 3.0 as well (which the one you linked doesn't). This means it'll be future proofed in case the new Airs support 3.0, which they likely will. It'll support up to 10x faster transfers for less money. The only catch is you'll have to reformat the hard drive from NTFS to HFS+ to use on your Mac. It's very simple and there's instructions on this website and in many other locations if you do a quick search. It's painless.

As for the monitor, I also have a 20" HP with the same resolution and I'm sure you'll be happy with it. It's plenty large to use and it's an affordable solution without compromising quality. If you look at my previous post or click here though you'll see the one that I bought. It looks a bit different externally but it's the same thing. It's a bit sleeker since the buttons are more hidden and integrated. And it's $20 less with free shipping and (I believe) tax-free since it's from Amazon. You can't go wrong with it.

What you posted will work, but I think these are slightly better options that'll save you some money and improve your data transfer speed and the look of your setup.

EDIT: As for the DVI adapter, I would honestly go with this item from Monoprice. For $14 (plus some tax and shipping, so $20) it's a combo Mini DisplayPort to HDMI/DVI/DisplayPort. It's a bit clunkier however the connections are more versatile so you could hook it up to your monitor (DVI) to do work OR you could hook it up to a TV (HDMI) to watch movies or something to get video AND sound. It's cheaper than what Apple will sell and you get more options.

If you buy a dock and keyboard/trackpad for your Air then I understand, but if you're going to be using the laptop keyboard with an external trackpad, that would be silly. I would recommend figuring out whether you want your Air docked when you're at home (Henge Dock for Air) and use that with an external keyboard/trackpad or figure out whether you're just going to use your laptop for the keyboard and trackpad.

 

[DollaTwentyFive]

what jgc said.

I would suggest a keyboard/trackpad or keyboard/mouse combo. It would be difficult to have the MBA open and using its keyboard while at the same time using an external monitor. IMO, it is better to go with a "docked" solution.

 

[EthanMiller]

EDIT - I stand corrected.

I would like to clarify one point - A Mac can deal just fine with NTFS for most things. It just has some problems manipulating low-level partition details (like resizing). There is no need to reformat it to HFS+, and leaving it NTFS is most likely desirable to allow Windows machines to read it.

 

[jgc]

I would like to clarify one point - A Mac can deal just fine with NTFS for most things. It just has some problems manipulating low-level partition details (like resizing). There is no need to reformat it to HFS+, and leaving it NTFS is most likely desirable to allow Windows machines to read it.

My understanding is that Macs are natively read-only for NTFS? This article verifies it. It does show two suggestions for enabling NTFS however, with Paragon NTFS being a more solid solution for $20. A little frustrating but that's the cost of doing business sometimes. I personally think leaving the majority NTFS for dual access between Mac/Windows while leaving HFS+ partition(s) for TimeMachine/CCC is the way to go. But if OP wants an HFS+ formatted drive, simply reformatting an NTFS drive will save money and work fine.

 

[mtreys]

Ok, I think I have made a decision on what I will get.

This hard drive from Apple http://store.apple.com/us/product/H7431ZM/A/western-digital-1tb-my-passport-for-mac-portable-hard-drive

A 13 inch air

This monitor http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+20%22+Widescreen+Flat-Panel+LCD+Monitor/1422209.p?id=1218257754431&skuId=1422209&st=lcd%20monitor&cp=1&lp=1

A DVI adaptor

A magic track pad

Thoughts? Has anyone used Apple's hard drives? I could probably skip on the track pad if needed.

I would go with the 13" Air. I started back to college this spring after being out almost 7 years and decided I needed to grab a new lapper. I went with the 13" and love it. For a monitor I like the one you chose, but for another $30 you can pick up one of the HP 2311x's. I have three of those for my actual desktop setup. The hard drive you chose is pretty good, just remember you don't have to buy one from Apple. Look around and you can find one a little bit cheaper now that prices have come back down a bit.

 

[Zzari]

I would try and look for a refurbished HP ZR2240w or Dell U2311h. You can find them for <$150 if you wait, and they're both way better than the one you linked.

 

[Speedyparker87]

Hey, my sister is starting college in the fall and I'm helping figuring out her setup as well.

For those of you with Airs and external hard drive, do you use a wired connection or a shared drive on an Airport Extreme? Thoughts on what might be better choice?

Also, would storing your iTunes library on the external drive present any issues? How about if you subscribe to iTunes Match? Is it a pretty seamless experience add/removing the External drive? I can imagine issues around not realizing External hard drive was disconnected/connected and either errors playing songs or not being able to download from cloud or issues around the default folder location, etc.

I've been searching the forum for responses, just wanted to see if anyone had a fresh take as well.

 

[Satnam1989]

Ok, I think I have made a decision on what I will get.

This hard drive from Apple http://store.apple.com/us/product/H7431ZM/A/western-digital-1tb-my-passport-for-mac-portable-hard-drive

A 13 inch air

This monitor http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+20%22+Widescreen+Flat-Panel+LCD+Monitor/1422209.p?id=1218257754431&skuId=1422209&st=lcd%20monitor&cp=1&lp=1

A DVI adaptor

A magic track pad

Thoughts? Has anyone used Apple's hard drives? I could probably skip on the track pad if needed.

Hard Drive...one of the other users posted a better suggestion
Monitor....Look on eBay honestly you can get a 23-24" nice Samsung Monitor with a 1920x1080-1920x1200 resolution for <$150 which is better than 1600x900

DVI adapter...well wait and see what kind of monitor you get first...if its VGA, DVI or HDMI....based on that get the adapter....

A Magic trackpad --- well if you want to truly using a monitor setup it will/is/ advisable that you go with the magic trackpad+apple bluetooth keyboard.

 

[mtreys]

Hey, my sister is starting college in the fall and I'm helping figuring out her setup as well.

For those of you with Airs and external hard drive, do you use a wired connection or a shared drive on an Airport Extreme? Thoughts on what might be better choice?

Also, would storing your iTunes library on the external drive present any issues? How about if you subscribe to iTunes Match? Is it a pretty seamless experience add/removing the External drive? I can imagine issues around not realizing External hard drive was disconnected/connected and either errors playing songs or not being able to download from cloud or issues around the default folder location, etc.

I've been searching the forum for responses, just wanted to see if anyone had a fresh take as well.

Well I don't have an external for my MBA. I do have 2 for my Mini and use USB to the mini for that connection. If your sister is going to have only the air it's really a matter of whether she wants to move around and be able to access her information on the hard drive at the same time. If she wishes to move from bed to desk to couch and use the HDD it'd probably be better to hook it up to an Airport. If she's just going to sit at a desk and use her MBA, then just use the USB hookup for when she uses the computer.

As far as using the external to store your iTunes collection, it's pretty straightforward. You just have to change your default iTunes media folder and point it towards the external. I'm not a fan of storing your iTunes on an external, especially for students, as they tend to like to have music with them at all times. Unless she has a ton of info, she should have no need to store her iTunes on an external, IMO.

 

[MauerFan]

Looks good but I have a few suggestions.

The hard drive is made by Western Digital. Apple doesn't make their own hard drives. They're a great product but Apple puts a huge mark-up on them in their store. If you want to save some money, you can get the same hard drive for less at BestBuy if you click here. Not only is it $30 less, but it supports USB 3.0 as well (which the one you linked doesn't). This means it'll be future proofed in case the new Airs support 3.0, which they likely will. It'll support up to 10x faster transfers for less money. The only catch is you'll have to reformat the hard drive from NTFS to HFS+ to use on your Mac. It's very simple and there's instructions on this website and in many other locations if you do a quick search. It's painless.

As for the monitor, I also have a 20" HP with the same resolution and I'm sure you'll be happy with it. It's plenty large to use and it's an affordable solution without compromising quality. If you look at my previous post or click here though you'll see the one that I bought. It looks a bit different externally but it's the same thing. It's a bit sleeker since the buttons are more hidden and integrated. And it's $20 less with free shipping and (I believe) tax-free since it's from Amazon. You can't go wrong with it.

What you posted will work, but I think these are slightly better options that'll save you some money and improve your data transfer speed and the look of your setup.

EDIT: As for the DVI adapter, I would honestly go with this item from Monoprice. For $14 (plus some tax and shipping, so $20) it's a combo Mini DisplayPort to HDMI/DVI/DisplayPort. It's a bit clunkier however the connections are more versatile so you could hook it up to your monitor (DVI) to do work OR you could hook it up to a TV (HDMI) to watch movies or something to get video AND sound. It's cheaper than what Apple will sell and you get more options.

If you buy a dock and keyboard/trackpad for your Air then I understand, but if you're going to be using the laptop keyboard with an external trackpad, that would be silly. I would recommend figuring out whether you want your Air docked when you're at home (Henge Dock for Air) and use that with an external keyboard/trackpad or figure out whether you're just going to use your laptop for the keyboard and trackpad.

Thanks for all of the good information! I don't think I'll get the trackpad/keyboard, not right away anyway. The Air w/ the display should be fine. One thing my friend said though is that LCD is better than LED. I assume LED works just fine though?

 

[jgc]

Thanks for all of the good information! I don't think I'll get the trackpad/keyboard, not right away anyway. The Air w/ the display should be fine. One thing my friend said though is that LCD is better than LED. I assume LED works just fine though?

That's what I'm doing. An external keyboard, dock, and trackpad or mouse would be nice BUT it adds another $200 to my set up. $200 is my monthly grocery bill. Unfortunately one is more important

I would disagree. LED beats LCD imo. An "LCD monitor" has an LCD screen with fluorescent backlighting. An "LED monitor" has an LCD screen with LED backlighting. LED backlighting is much more efficient (saves on power) and requires less space. This means that an LED monitor will typically be thinner and lighter.

For comparison purposes, the monitor I posted (7 lbs.) is lighter than the one you posted (9 lbs.). It has an improved dynamic contrast ratio (3,000,000:1 vs. 15,000:1) with the same refresh rate and lower power consumption (I believe, but can't prove). Same brightness, resolution, and aspect ratio. All in all I believe it's a better monitor for a better price. That being said you won't be disappointed with the one you posted either.