Add-Ons You'll Need for Your MacBook Air

Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:56PM EST

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Blogs are buzzing with excitement at the possibility of seeing the MacBook Air in stores this week, and a few readers reportedly got a shipment notice from Apple with a February 1st delivery date. If you're one of the early adopters expecting a MacBook Air this week, then you should know you're going to need some extra accessories to make up for the notebook's lack of common features like extra ports, and optical drive. Here's a look at the accessories you'll need, and their price. Hope you put some extra money aside.

USB Hub (Varies): Apple is anything but generous when it comes to extra USB ports, so I'm not surprised the MacBook Air only has one. If you plan on using other peripherals with your super slim computer, you'll need a USB hub preferably one with an external power source. Check out these options.

Ethernet Adapter ($29): One thing that won't be practical when you travel is the lack of an ethernet jack on the MacBook Air. While most hotels have wireless connections, there are those that don't which is why you'll need a USB Ethernet Adapter like this one selling on Apple's site for $29.

MacBook Air SuperDrive ($99): The MacBook Air doesn't have an optical drive which makes it impossible to load software from CDs or watch movies on DVDs. Apple is already taking orders for the sleek MacBook SuperDrive, which according to the website is slightly bigger than a CD case, and easily fits inside a travel bag. The small optical drive connects via USB, and lets you play and burn both CDs and DVDs.

MacBook Air Sleeve ($30-$50): Contrary to what you have seen on those cute MacBook Air commercials, you're going to need more than a manila envelope to store your new computer in. Belkin is one of the few companies that has stylish sleeves specially made for the MacBook Air. They're available in leather, or neoprene, or fabric like Belkin's Expression Sleeve,which even has a removable shoulder strap for extra portability.

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  • 26 Posted by imbeccaboo04 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    total waste of money....i was so excited when i saw the commercial, but i guess when u really get down 2 it the thing really isnt as cool as it seems on tv

  • 27 Posted by kyoto288 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    All of these add-ons that you "need" shouldn't really be a problem. As for the optical drive, there's a wireless method of borrowing another computers optical drive and on that matter, how often do you install software anyway? As for not having an ethernet port, most places today have wireless hotspots, in fact, driving in a car through San Francisco I was able to pick up at least 27 unlocked networks. As for USB periphery, how many ports do you really need? The most I've had to use is maybe 2 on my laptop to transfer data from my flash drive to my portable hard drive. If you're looking to do work that requires more than one USB port you're better off getting a desktop anyway or upgrading to a Macbook Pro. No one has stopped to think of the intrinsic benefits of having a laptop like the Macbook Air. By putting out an ultra-thin laptop (even if it is subject to much criticism) it puts other businesses on the spot to develop similar technology that improves on former mistakes or even to accommodate the features of the laptop. The advent of this laptop could very well spark a marked increase of the number of wireless hotspots we see currently. The Macbook Air may not be perfect, but it is a step forward.

  • 28 Posted by iluvthe90smore on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    This article is so bad. 1. I own a Mac Book Pro 17' that has a standard 4 USB ports. The article states "Apple is anything but generous when it comes to extra USB ports..." I don't understand where this logic goes. 2. You can't watch movies that's true but the article neglects to mention "Remote Access" which allows any PC or Mac computer to be a temporary CD drive for the Air and download programs via wireless remote connection. "The MacBook Air doesn't have an optical drive which makes it impossible to download software..." Wrong again. 3. Why does the article mention a "MacBook Air Sleeve" as "necessity" as if to say Apple failed to include a slick and practical sleeve to go along with their new product. Apple's job is to sell you a computer; why not criticize every laptop maker for this sin?

  • 29 Posted by agibail009 on Tue Feb 5, 2008 8:28PM EST Report Abuse

    my macbook is sturdy, dependable, self-sufficient, cheaper, prettier and just overall is better. I don't know what the fuss is over the air.

  • 30 Posted by ai3di on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is always the case with anything that apple sells. All of their products need add ons, or only can be upgraded through apple. If you are a Mac fan, i'm sorry. The processor is good, but no computer with out extra coolant systems can run as fast as the processor says it can. The o/x is great, but if the program list that is compatable with Mac is so small, and you have to rely on Apple for programs, then I would rather have a slightly slower o/s and keep the programs flowing in. Also the reason why the Mac has so few threats is that the Mac is used a lot less then the PC is so why would hackers and such spend time on the Mac when they can do so much more damage to PC's?

  • 32 Posted by bpcronin426 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think this computer is a waste of money. its $1700 alone plus the add on's i think that is reduclious. whats the point of having a slim computer if it lacks the necessary components of a regular notebook. fomr dell you can get an amazing notebook for the price of just the air notebook itself.

  • 33 Posted by kellybgum on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ok, before I put my comment on the article I must say that yahoo made me sign in 6 times before it would let me leave a comment and that is a really obnoxious tech glitch... As for the article, I agree that the lack of the features mentioned is something that should be seriously considered before buying a MacBook Air, but those things need to be considered within the context of the intended use for the laptop. If you are looking for a primary computer that also is portable Air is probably not the right choice, but if you are looking for a super portable computer (as I am) than peripheral and port drawbacks aside it's a great choice. I'd love to have a laptop as light and portable as the MacBook Air. It would be great to have a super super light laptop for taking notes and working on essays between classes in my backpack with books and all the other crap that I cart around and back and forth across campus everyday. So I'll continue to scope and consider the MacBook Air (maybe wait till it's been out for a while so any kinks get worked out and perfected) because I don't need to watch movies from a disk and almost every TV show or movie I watch nowadays I download anyway, same goes for software, I don't even remember the last time I installed software from a disk, and I rarely need to plug any periph into my comp (my printer is wireless so no need there, my phone is bluetooth so no need there, I'd only need to plug in an external hard drive, thumb drive or camera from time to time which means I only need one port) and to be totally honest in the 7 years I've owned laptops (2 Apple laptops, an iBook and a PowerBook) I've only used an ethernet cable once the rest of the time I've always used wireless (at school, when I travel, heck there is even wireless internet on the buses where I live).

  • 34 Posted by jthrush72 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm not sure why everyone's so upset about the lack of an optical drive. Given how often install software (which I believe they meant instead of "download") off of CD or DVD, a full-time optical drive has far less relevance. Further, USB keys now hold between 8-16GB so there's still an option to back up your data on the road. And you can always copy your DVDs to the hard drive if you're going to watch movies while flying. This is not a big deal, people. Also, why is anyone upset at the lack of on-board Ethernet? If you're plugging into a wall, plugging in a USB Ethernet adapter isn't going to kill you or take up that much more space. If you're moving around, you don't even need Ethernet and wireless is going to be used anyway. Again, not an issue. For the vast majority of business users, this is the perfect computer: it's light, it's thin, and it's wireless. It does everything you need it to do. By the way, I'm a die-hard PC guy. Windows XP is still the best user oriented OS in my opinion... it's got the most software, it's the most flexible, and it works. If the Air can run XP, I'll seriously consider buying my first Apple in 20 years.

  • 35 Posted by ascandiman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    The commercial is great. The Idea is great, but the product is not great. I see no reason to buy this laptop. What does it have to offer but the fact that it is light. An empty box is light and this laptop is basically an empty box.

  • 36 Posted by hendrix_n_marley on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    "...impossible to download software or watch movies on your computer." Wow, that's just bad information. As far as I know, optical drives have absolutely nothing to do with downloading anything. You are referring to the inability to insert software or other media discs without the drive, right? You can still download and watch a movie, or download and install software the same as any other machine with an optical drive could. Hardly "impossible".

  • 37 Posted by stuck_in_america01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    The MacBook Air seems like a complete waste. It didn't seems to bad until I got to the part where you can't download software or watch movies on your computer without buying an add on. So what? All you can do really with just the MacBook Air is get on the internet... only if it's wireless?

  • 38 Posted by homespunrecording on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    I still think it's shady that it doesn't have a cd/dvd/optical drive. Why can't people admit this is a major faux pas(for the author of post 375, that means mistake...more specifically 'false step'). And to defend the omision of said drive by saying you can use another computer...that's just plain silly. Why would I need the MBA if I already have another computer within it's wireless range!? We understand that it was made for business already. I go on plenty of business trips, and to many conferences. If you receive a cd/dvd with a presentation or company film on it(yes people still use cd's and dvd's), I don't want to have to ask to use someones computer just so I can put it onto mine.Somehow I think this just another way for them to get you to buy your media from iTunes which gives you files of poorer quality than if you copy them from your own cd/dvd.

  • 39 Posted by wheel0513 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    Obviously there are some people that have mistaken the Mac Air for a desktop. I thought the optional Solid State Drive was VERY impressive. They say it is 250 times faster that ANY other hard drive out there. Im sure it wont be long before everyone else follows suet, like they have with everything from the ipod to the imac. Great job Apple!!

  • 40 Posted by drbobfeasel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    Of course, we would not expect all of you PC users to understand---Mac users have all of their Music, TV shows, and Movies already downloaded and sitting in iTunes. So of course you can watch a movie or TV show in flight. You've already rented the movie from itunes and it stays in your account for one month until you have time to watch it. All the software you need is already installed using one of your other Macs. And what you have is a 3 pound item to carry to Europe in your backpack, instead of lugging around some heavy laptop. And you do not need all of those extra accessories, making your luggage smaller. This was meant to be a laptop for travelers and business travelers--and as that--it is a great product!

  • 41 Posted by homespunrecording on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    Please read other posts before bashing the article, or another post. Chances are, what you are about to type has already been typed.

  • 42 Posted by murdoch22 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    If i remember right, Windows boosters jeered the iMac for its lack of a 1.1 MB floppy disk drive. The computer i'm using right now, owing to the fact that it was made after the iMac came out, has no 1.1 MB floppy drive. Apple is anticipating the world to come, one in which wireless connections are easier to access and more programs are run online. Foresight looks like foolishness to everyone who's stuck in 2002.

  • 43 Posted by vlad_m2112 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    Another thing i'd like to mention. PC had the "access the dvd off another comp's drive thingy" since the advent of networking. It is called "map network drive" I remember using it 6 years ago. So it is not something that new.

  • 44 Posted by evandelicious on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    You do not need to get a super drive, that was explain in the Apple keynote. There is the option of Remote Disc, using another computers CD drive wirelessly. All you need is the persons drive your using to click OK when the request shows up. This helps if you have a desktop and laptop. With Remote Disc it talks to both PC's and Mac's so no need to worry if all the other network computers are PC.

  • 45 Posted by dholmes0123 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Macbook Pro is the same cost, and MUCH better than this computer. There is no point in buying this computer even if it is so thin, because you can get another Mac which is much better for the same price, so basically...a waste of money.

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