which DVD drive for new MBAir

[Macintox]

Hello

Going to order a new MBair 2.13 SSd in the next few days. I am reviewing my best bet por mobile DVD drive. Apple one seems not to work on a USB hub ? Lacie ultra mobile seems a better bet . But lacie does not clearly stipulate OSX compatibility in the specs.
Is any one of you using the Lacie , or the Apple on a hub ?

 

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Apple's does work via USB. Read description

 

[Macintox]

Apple's does work via USB. Read description

yes OK but it does not work on a USB hub..which means that if you have your MBair connected to a USB hub with several things on it ( printer, mouse, ext keyboard, Ethrenet etc..., you have to disconnect the hub and plug directly the DVD drive to the "special" high powered USB port of the MBair. Not practical at all , this is why I thought a normal USB drive like the Lacie (or other brand ?) would be a better idea . I just want to be sure the mobile lacie work with OSX ..

 

[u49aa2]

I have only one advice, which some may disagree with, however i really believe you should consider. Buy a drive which read and write blue ray. it will be a bit expensive but then it will be future proof, when apple start supporting blue ray. Also you can use with your PC if you own one.

I didn't buy a drive when i bought mine. 1st because i rarely use the DVD, 2nd because i have a pro which i use its DVD drive wirelessly when necessary. However, if i decide to buy one it will be a blue ray.

 

[Macintox]

I have only one advice, which some may disagree with, however i really believe you should consider. Buy a drive which read and write blue ray. it will be a bit expensive but then it will be future proof, when apple start supporting blue ray. Also you can use with your PC if you own one.

I didn't buy a drive when i bought mine. 1st because i rarely use the DVD, 2nd because i have a pro which i use its DVD drive wirelessly when necessary. However, if i decide to buy one it will be a blue ray.

Ok good advice for the future. Although I have no idea if there are yet some portable blue ray drive ?
I intend to drop the drive in the suitcase so weight is of utmost importance.

 

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Wow, i had no idea. Thanks for the information.

 

[madoka]

I have only one advice, which some may disagree with, however i really believe you should consider. Buy a drive which read and write blue ray. it will be a bit expensive but then it will be future proof, when apple start supporting blue ray.

I disagree for the following reasons:

1. BR is not doing well right now and there is no guarantee Apple will ever support it. It may just be another dead standard in the next few years.

http://www.dailytech.com/BluRays+Pyrrhic+Victory/article15503.htm

"However, the format is facing a do-or-die situation when it comes to proving its relevance with the average consumer. Otherwise, like many other enthusiast formats, it risks going the way of the dinosaur."

2. Buy what you need now. Buying to future proof can prove misleading. By the time you may actually want BR, the drive prices would most assuredly be much, much lower.

 

[will0407]

Get a powered USB hub, that way the apple one should sill work

 

[aleksandra.]

Get a powered USB hub, that way the apple one should sill work

Not necessarily. If you want to be 100% sure it'll work ask people who claim it does what hubs they use, then buy one of these.

I'm not sure if you can boot from other external drives, however.

 

[macboy4]

Get a powered USB hub, that way the apple one should sill work

I have a powered USB hub... it does NOT work.

 

[jdechko]

A few "slim" blu-ray drives (some R, some RW):

http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_2_52&products_id=406
http://www.amexdigital.com/Press_Release-E_Portable Blu-ray Super Multi Drive.htm
http://www.amazon.com/External-Slim-Blu-ray-Combo-Drive/dp/B001PQGF5C

I don't know which, if any, will run from a single usb port, so that is something to consider.

As far as the USB hub, I believe that there are two models of the Superdrive. I think the newer one can run when connected to a hub, while the older one is incapable of it.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7946624/

 

[hitekalex]

I disagree for the following reasons:

1. BR is not doing well right now and there is no guarantee Apple will ever support it. It may just be another dead standard in the next few years.

http://www.dailytech.com/BluRays+Pyrrhic+Victory/article15503.htm

"However, the format is facing a do-or-die situation when it comes to proving its relevance with the average consumer. Otherwise, like many other enthusiast formats, it risks going the way of the dinosaur."

This Daily Tech article is very misguided IMO. BD is doing very well in the home movie marketplace. I don't have a link handy, but I saw an article about BD growth rate exceeding that of DVD disks at similar time point.

The price of low end BD players is starting to approach $100 dollars.. Which is right where it needs to be for widescale adoption.

About 70% of my NetFlix rentals are now BD.

So to say it's "enthusiast" format is a bit ridiculous at this stage. There is simply no chance of Bluray disappearing any time soon.

 

[Macintox]

A few "slim" blu-ray drives (some R, some RW):

http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_2_52&products_id=406
http://www.amexdigital.com/Press_Release-E_Portable Blu-ray Super Multi Drive.htm
http://www.amazon.com/External-Slim-Blu-ray-Combo-Drive/dp/B001PQGF5C

I don't know which, if any, will run from a single usb port, so that is something to consider.

As far as the USB hub, I believe that there are two models of the Superdrive. I think the newer one can run when connected to a hub, while the older one is incapable of it.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7946624/

OK many thanks for this detailed and very interesting reply.
Not sure BlueRay is for me yet in another place than the HD flat panel TV. But as far as the newer model of the Apple superdrive I am going to inquire because the booting capability is a + .

 

[Scottsdale]

I have a powered USB hub... it does NOT work.

Wonder why??? Do you have the old drive or new one? New one is item number M397G/A... or similar. Mine works fine with a GE powered hub!

 

[phatcat]

This item works fine with my new Air:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136166

It has a dual USB cable. No power plug needed.

It won't work directly connected to the Air, but does work fine via my D-Link DUB-H7 powered hub.

Hope this helps!

 

[Macintox]

wonder why none of you uses the lacie mobile
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=10986
With lacie record with mac and great specs, this product seems the most sensible to use with an MBair.
Anyway that is probably the one I wil be ordering, unless someone conviced me of a better one.
By the way all this talk about the Apple drive... it is in fact possible to hack it to work with normal USB . the problem is of the controller used by Apple.
here: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/macbook-air-superdrive-for-all/

 

[Scottsdale]

wonder why none of you uses the lacie mobile
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=10986
With lacie record with mac and great specs, this product seems the most sensible to use with an MBair.
Anyway that is probably the one I wil be ordering, unless someone conviced me of a better one.
By the way all this talk about the Apple drive... it is in fact possible to hack it to work with normal USB . the problem is of the controller used by Apple.
here: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/macbook-air-superdrive-for-all/

I have the MBA SuperDrive. No complaints. Works perfectly all the time. No power required. Looks beautiful with the MBA on the run. Works fine at home when hooked into any USB hub I use too. I have no complaints and it's made for the MBA. At the same price as your Lacie, I will stick with Apple's SuperDrive. The Apple drive is only a problem if you want to use it with other computers... but why would you as most other computers have their own drive!

 

[hupple]

This item works fine with my new Air:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136166

It has a dual USB cable. No power plug needed.

It won't work directly connected to the Air, but does work fine via my D-Link DUB-H7 powered hub.

Hope this helps!

Thanks. I also have a D-Link DUB-H7 and are finding dvd drive for air.

 

[Scottsdale]

Thanks. I also have a D-Link DUB-H7 and are finding dvd drive for air.

I have three USB hubs that work with my SuperDrive also 24" ACD hub. My GE hub works even when not powered via electric when in one port.

I think key is there are some hubs where maybe only one port will work. Maybe power is only flowing to one of four ports???

I have read others complaining that will not work in nonpowered in powered nor in ACD. I wonder if this is the older MBA SuperDrive (part number A1270). Mine is the newer SuperDrive (bought in Jan 09/ part #MB397G/A).

Perhaps older drive is problem??? Can anyone report as to the differences?

 

[Macintox]

I have the MBA SuperDrive. No complaints. Works perfectly all the time. No power required. Looks beautiful with the MBA on the run. Works fine at home when hooked into any USB hub I use too. I have no complaints and it's made for the MBA. At the same price as your Lacie, I will stick with Apple's SuperDrive. The Apple drive is only a problem if you want to use it with other computers... but why would you as most other computers have their own drive!

well... that seems to contradict what many have said here ? your superdrive works on a USB hub ? what version is your drive ? what hub ?
if I could be sure that ordering now to the Apple store I got a drive I can connect to my Belkin 7 port USB hub.. I would indeed buy the Apple instead of any other .

 

[Macintox]

OK sorry , just read your later answer and it is quite clear. Probably the new drice has had its controler modified by Apple and is now compatibel...good news indeed.

 

[jdechko]

well... that seems to contradict what many have said here ? your superdrive works on a USB hub ? what version is your drive ? what hub ?
if I could be sure that ordering now to the Apple store I got a drive I can connect to my Belkin 7 port USB hub.. I would indeed buy the Apple instead of any other .

OK sorry , just read your later answer and it is quite clear. Probably the new drice has had its controler modified by Apple and is now compatibel...good news indeed.

If possible, go to an Apple store to pick one up so that you can verify the part number on the box. I was at my local store and both of the drives I looked at appeared to be the newer models (MB397G/A). It surely is confusing when earlier reports of hub compatibility seem to contradict what Scottsdale said, but I'd take his word on this.

 

[Scottsdale]

If possible, go to an Apple store to pick one up so that you can verify the part number on the box. I was at my local store and both of the drives I looked at appeared to be the newer models (MB397G/A). It surely is confusing when earlier reports of hub compatibility seem to contradict what Scottsdale said, but I'd take his word on this.

I don't know why people have had different experiences??? The model number is the only difference I can see between older and newer. I have the newer and it works perfectly with hubs.

 

[Macintox]

I don't know why people have had different experiences??? The model number is the only difference I can see between older and newer. I have the newer and it works perfectly with hubs.

Many thanks for this precious feedback it convinced me to try the Apple. It will look better with the Air and I will be sure to have a drive that can boot.

 

[jdechko]

I don't know why people have had different experiences??? The model number is the only difference I can see between older and newer. I have the newer and it works perfectly with hubs.

It's about the only thing that explains why some work with USB hubs and some dont. Could be one of those "silent" Apple updates, like the better screens in the uMB. Maybe you could track down one of the older "Rev A" MacBook Air SuperDrives and run some tests on it. You could get a new title (for this and your work with the MBA screens) and maybe even start a blog about it: Apple MythBusters!