I guess if I want to install software on my MBA, I need to purchase a Superdrive? No way around this?
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Superdrive a necessity
- Thread starter lolafalana
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You can use Remote Disc to install software using another computer's CD drive. Simple process. I've had a Macbook air Rev.A for three years and have had no problems installing software this way.
Here a link to the support doc:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1777?viewlocale=en_US
Here a link to the support doc:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1777?viewlocale=en_US
There are cheap external USB DVD drives available just about anywhere.
Or, if you have access to another Mac, get a few 8GB thumb drives and put the software distribution disk images on the flash drives. They are pretty cheap these days and you can label them and just keep them in your computer bag.
Or, if you have access to another Mac, get a few 8GB thumb drives and put the software distribution disk images on the flash drives. They are pretty cheap these days and you can label them and just keep them in your computer bag.
It is a shame external DVD drives were not like this superdrive maybe 8 years ago. I really like it bus powered and so small. It seems like a waste to have it for extremely rare usage.
^^^^
+1
Right on! Wish it would work with the other Mac's out there as a replacement for dead ones ones in our iMac or MBP's.
+1
Right on! Wish it would work with the other Mac's out there as a replacement for dead ones ones in our iMac or MBP's.
There are plenty of Netbook USB DVD drives available new for $30 or so which will work fine with the Air. They are bus powered and just about as small as the Apple one, but not made out of aluminum.
I use it to copy dvds like once a month to my mba. I bought it used on amazon 2 yrs back for like $50. Sold my rev a and rev b. Took a break from the mba and moved to the regular sized mbp and mb, but kept the superdrive external made for the mba from apple in the close. then when the 11 in came out, I used the superdrive again, all dusty from the closet downstairs...
IMO I say just look for a deal but its not necessary to buy right away.
IMO I say just look for a deal but its not necessary to buy right away.
^^^^
+1
Right on! Wish it would work with the other Mac's out there as a replacement for dead ones ones in our iMac or MBP's.
The Apple Superdrive that you can order to go with the MBA wouldn't work on another Mac latop or desktop that had the correct port? (Not sure which port it uses.)
The Apple SuperDrive required a "high power" USB port which the original Air had just for this purpose. Some drives require 2 USB ports in order to draw enough current to run them reliably, the Air only had a single port, so they made it capable of supplying higher current than normal. This prevents the Apple SuperDrive from working with other Mac computers which lack this higher powered port.
You can buy NEW ones on Amazon for less than that. Look for Netbook accessories and you will find small portable optical drives for $30-40 new.
Sorry ... I thought he asked if there was "anyway around that" to having to purchase a SuperDrive.
It depends. If you have another Mac such as a MacPro or a MacBook Pro you can use that CD to burn the app to a USB using carbon Copy. I used that for iWork, Office, and several other smaller programs. I have a MBP 15 i5 for development, MPro 8 core for true hardcore development, and MBA 11" for travel.
No, would I buy it? Yep. Because it is cool! Perfectly made, aluminum drive that is the peak of tech manufacturing.
No, would I buy it? Yep. Because it is cool! Perfectly made, aluminum drive that is the peak of tech manufacturing.
whens the last time i installed something from a dvd/cd? i havent...would i waste my money on a superdrive than? he** no
It's nice to have, though I would grab a $30 unit from newegg. They've got plenty that are bus powered. They're not as nice as the superdrive but they serve the same purpose at half the cost. I don't have a need for it often, but the few times I did, it was nice to have and way more convenient than any alternative option. Came in especially useful when installing windows 7 via bootcamp.
