External Drive... Did you buy it?

[ascender]

I thought about it but decided not to get it as everything I need I can get via my network tbh. While obviously slower than the drive, I'm quite happy to just leave software installing and do something else with my time until its done.

 

[smirrors]

I would say that "just in case" isn't a good reason to spend $130 + tax(for ethernet & drive). If you find a sudden need, THEN head to the Apple store or Best Buy and get one. Or, as another poster pointed out, any old external optical drive you have lying around will work. I just keep thinking of the IBM X40 I have had for 3 years, and how I never use the Ethernet or external drive on the thing any more. I agree that it would be a pain in the neck to reinstall an OS over remote disk, but how often do you really need to do that? The one time every year or two that you do, just start it before you go to sleep and it will be done long before you wake up.

Well I guess if you already have an external drive you wouldn't need to ask whether to buy an external drive?

 

[Maui19]

I didn't buy one with my MBA. I used remote disk to re-install OS X, and that worked fine, but took forever. I ended up getting a superdrive because I wanted something speedier for installations, and I didn't want to tie up two computers every time I needed to do an installation or burn a CD.

I use my laptop for business emergencies (mostly graphic and web design) when I am on vacation or otherwise traveling, and having a drive handy gives me piece of mind there, too. The nice thing is I would pack the superdrive in my luggage, but carry my MBA, so there is no weight penalty for having the drive with me.

 

[jlbrown23]

Well I guess if you already have an external drive you wouldn't need to ask whether to buy an external drive?

Well, not really. It is a work computer, so they just give you the external drive without asking you if you want it or not(not to mention there IS NO REMOTE DISK for the X40 since it is a Windows machine, so it is a different story), and it has a nice layer of dust on it from sitting on the shelf for the last couple of years. My point with that example is that I have HAD a computer with no internal optical drive for THREE YEARS, so I HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS than Air users(ie, being initially uncomfortable with not having an optical drive, so having one "just in case", then seeing it unused and gathering dust for YEARS, not just the MONTH since the Air came out).

I am SURE that there are SOME people out there who the drive would be useful for - mostly folks who want to watch a lot of DVDs or for some reason are going go be frequently reinstalling the OS. But I think for most people, they're just having a problem getting past old ways of thinking.

 

[jlbrown23]

Problem is, always need it when they're all closed.

Just got taxes done, acct. handed me a cd. No more paper copies they told me. Don't feel comfortable using remote disk w. such sensitive info. Just call me old fashioned, or just old.

I think for $100 a usb powered superdrive in such a svelte enclosure is money well spent for just such instances.

A flash drive should do the trick too. Much cheaper and so small that it is more in line with the idea of the Air. And I do wonder why you would go with a machine that is basically wireless only if you don't trust wireless security.

And would your account REALLY have REFUSED to print things out for you if you insisted? How many pages could it be? A few? A dozen maybe? Might cost $0.50 or so? I mean they DO have printers, right? Doesn't sound like good customer service to me if this is so.

 

[NC MacGuy]

A flash drive should do the trick too. Much cheaper and so small that it is more in line with the idea of the Air. And I do wonder why you would go with a machine that is basically wireless only if you don't trust wireless security.

And would your account REALLY have REFUSED to print things out for you if you insisted? How many pages could it be? A few? A dozen maybe? Might cost $0.50 or so? I mean they DO have printers, right? Doesn't sound like good customer service to me if this is so.

You've got to be kidding. Corporate taxes in 23 states & federal. Literally 100's of pages. A stack well over two feet tall.

Totally aware of flash drives and don't worry about wireless security with 90% + of my stuff.

 

[ctt1wbw]

Yeah, I bought one yesterday at the Navy Exchange for 90 bucks. I'm using it right now in conjunction with Handbrake to copy some new movies over to my new 32 gig iPod touch.

 

[kyleen66]

I've been borrowing my Mom's external DVD when I've needed to install stuff. I have way too much equipment.

I'm still toying with the idea of buying one just for convenience. But then I think to myself that I may be better off purchasing a drive like my Mom's that I could use with any of my computers rather than just the MBA.

 

[Satori]

If you need to diagnose a hardware fault...

I'm still not quite sure whether I'm going to get myself a MBA... but if I do I'll be getting a superdrive just in case I need the install disks or techtool pro to examine any faults and rescue the hard-drive. Better safe than sorry I guess.

 

[ascender]

I'm starting to wish I had

Trying to reinstall OS X via remote disc and its taking ageeeeeeeeeeeees to even get to the first reboot. How long should I leave it at the "waiting for Macbook Air to connect" screen?

Ignore that. I'm an idiot.

 

[w00tini]

i bought one...i still have customers who don't allow you to use a flash drive on their network to xfer files during sales calls. They only take CD media so I needed the burner.

and it works perfectly and tucks away into the flap of my computer bag where I don't even know it's there when I'm carrying the bag.

 

[steve31]

Bought a Super drive but only used it a few times. I dont regret it. I like it for the occasional DVD....and its only $99.

 

[Fabiano]

I think that an AirPort Express worths the 99 dollars much more than the superdrive.