New MBA arrived...have some funds left..accessories time!!!!!

[ufgatorbait]

First off, thank you to the MBA forum residents. With your help, I decided to finally order my family's first real Mac (other than iPhone, iPad, iTouch).

I'll admit, for months I over analyzed the decision switching from iMac 27, to "oh look, the MBPs refreshed", to "well, MBAs may refresh in June, should I wait?".

So when I finally figured out that I didn't want to take the leap to the MBP 15' base model pricing point of 1799, I did what I thought was best and took Apples best 13inch lappy available, the MBA!!

So, fast forward to today....MBA (1.86, 128SSD, 4GB Ram) arrives in beautiful condition. Coconut Battery tells me I'm very lucky with only 1 cycle , battery at 87% full. Fired up quickly like my smile. I feel very fortunate and am a fan of the refurb site going forward.

But, the savings allow me some fun with accessories so I turn to the community once again. For the MBA, what are your essential or even most fun accessories that you would recommend for a new MBA owner?

 

[alan111]

congrats! I have the 13: 1.86ghz 4gb and I love it. I use it as my main. The only accessories I have purchased was a sleeve to pack into my briefcase, and a leather skin, which I have since removed because I like the aluminum casing much better.

 

[zinka]

Backup drive.

External monitor (optional, but really nice to be able to use a big screen when at home).

Extra chargers for home, work, other room at home, etc.

 

[CHSeifert]

I will get this for mine :

TimeCapsule 2 TB
Airport express w. Monster cable
A nice case/sleeve (I will order a Vaja custom made case)

----
Vh/Regards
Claus - TapaTalk on my Ip4

 

[iVeBeenDrinkin']

tv
AirPort Extreme
2TB External

 

[Grolsch30]

My Air Ultimate is on the road to be delivered today

I have bought:

Book Book case
BookArc for Air (new version)
Time Machine
Wireless Keyboard

Will wait until the ACD 27 is refreshed before i purchase that as well.

 

[rekhyt]

...Wireless Keyboard...

... o.0 Wireless keyboard...? Doesn't the MBA have a full-sized keyboard already?

 

[Grolsch30]

... o.0 Wireless keyboard...? Doesn't the MBA have a full-sized keyboard already?

It's for my 27 ACD when I purchase it.

 

[zinka]

Will wait until the ACD 27 is refreshed before i purchase that as well.

You may be waiting a LONG time. Like two years.

 

[matelot]

so that's a refurb ?

 

[ufgatorbait]

Are TimeMachine and TimeCapsule the same thing (i.e. wireless storage solution)?

 

[jim.ryan]

Are TimeMachine and TimeCapsule the same thing (i.e. wireless storage solution)?

TimeMachine is the software, TimeCapsule is the device (essentially an external hard drive/NAS)

 

[zinka]

TimeMachine is the software, TimeCapsule is the device (essentially an external hard drive/NAS)

But you can also use Time Machine to backup to a local hard drive connected directly via USB. It doesn't require Time Capsule.

 

[Scottsdale]

The essentials:
27" LED ACD
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Magic Mouse
Magic Trackpad
AirPort Extreme Base Station w/attached BU Drive and Printer
Mobile Me account

Add any MBA and you're set.

 

[ufgatorbait]

Not seeing much mention of Apple's SuperDrive. Did you all pass it up? I'm thinking it is necessary for Windows 7.

 

[Psilocybin]

Not seeing much mention of Apple's SuperDrive. Did you all pass it up? I'm thinking it is necessary for Windows 7.

You can purchase a cheaper alternative

 

[Dute]

Not seeing much mention of Apple's SuperDrive. Did you all pass it up? I'm thinking it is necessary for Windows 7.

Virtual machines are always an option. Parallels, VMWare Fusion, Virtualbox (Free).

I'd be hesitant to dual-boot an already small hard-drive.

 

[jim.ryan]

But you can also use Time Machine to backup to a local hard drive connected directly via USB. It doesn't require Time Capsule.

Yup, should have mentioned that. I built a NAS from spare parts that runs Ubuntu that I use for my TimeMachine backups. Works great, and it's super fast over a Gigabit network (much faster than USB2).

You can purchase a cheaper alternative

Exactly. I also don't really find myself needing more space. I don't use my MBA as my primary computer, so I just keep on it what I need. I find 256GB to be plenty. If I had the 128GB drive, I'd probably need more space, but I feel that carrying an external drive sort of negates the concept of the MBA. Might as well get an MBP then.