Add-Ons You'll Need for Your MacBook Air
Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:56PM EST
See Comments (62)
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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47 Posted by geneichinose on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse
Of course this is a typical Microsoft-Yahoo stance on a revolutionary Apple product. You miss the whole point of the macbook air. Smaller is better. This is the direction technology is going. Wasn't it Gates that said why would anyone need more than 512k of ram. But you folks are still hanging on to your floppy drives so I guess it would be too much to sacrifice your CDROM players.
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48 Posted by skuza1979 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse
This is like asking for more trunk space from a Ferrari. CD drive is a waste of space, usb ports are a waste of space, ethernet port is so 90s. I like pcs, but this is a good move for apple, great for school, work and travel. Too much for me, but great for the kids.
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49 Posted by christianvilca on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:24PM EDT Report Abuse
One can only wonder why Mac took the approach to leave out so many feautures. While i believe Mac is stable and has a much better OS than Windows, one does not just buy a sheck we buy a system. Scenario: One day you are at the University and doing a group presentation. What happens when you need to burn a disc, look for files on your team's usb, and needto work comfortably in a cramped workspace. You have a very comfortable system, that fails to do what a computer is supposed to do. facilitate!! I knows of four people that were so close to buying this laptop. Once I informed them of its shortcomings, 1 bought a Pro and the other three HP,Toshiba, and Sony. I believe that I will do the same.
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50 Posted by jdot01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse
Apple is doing what they always do: reevaluate and revolutionize technology. They pioneered the movement of getting away from floppy disk drives, and now hardly any computers have them. Now they're doing the same thing, only with CD-ROM drives. Like others have said, it isn't impossible to import data from a disc, because you can use another computer's drive. Besides...think about it. How often do you use that optical drive on your Windows PC anyway? Not very often if you're hip to newer technology. I do think that the MacBook Air works a lot better if you have an iPhone. The lack of a disc drive doesn't matter, because you can download all of your music, widgets, etc. directly from Apple, negating the need for CDs on that front. Wi-Fi between the two pretty much eliminates any other necessities.
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51 Posted by candlevine318 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:17PM EDT Report Abuse
You just don't get it! This is a niche product targeted toward a niche buyer. Apple is looking to the future of how we approach technology, and this product will be adopted by people that want to be on the "cutting edge". This is only a glimpse of what's to come. Just look at the iPod line-up; it started with one product, now there are four different form factors to choose from. The everyday PC user is not who Apple is targeting for the MBA. Just like any new tech invention, it's pricey. But so what! For the people that want it, they'll pay for it. Then your precious PC-vendors, who lack vision and innovation, will "copy cat" the technology in a few years in order to make you happy. Personally, I think it's pretty cool. Kudo's to Apple!
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52 Posted by obadiahorthodox on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse
My HP desktop is just fine. I spent $1,000 for it, didn't have to spend a fortune for upgrades, I get automatic updates from Microsoft for free. If my computer freaks out, I just reload my original software, that fixes everything, then I go back to Microsoft homepage and reload all my optional software FOR FREE, all this takes less than an hour. I don't need a laptop, especially if I need TWO computers to do the job of ONE. I've never used an Apple so I can't comment on it, but I think for the money, PC's are very good.
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53 Posted by plintas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse
Wouldn't it be nice if all those people who bash the MacBook AIr and all the other ones state what kind of computer they use? This new computer sounds fabulous to me, and having had Macs/Apple since 1985, I can only say that Apple/Mac has improved their computers every time they brought out something new. They've always been the first to come up with new and innovative products, and PC has limped after them in a very pitiful manner, trying to keep up (and yes, I have - unfortunately- been using PC at work, different models and there really isn't any comparison!
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54 Posted by avidprime on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse
Let me get this straight..... Without a wireless signal present, this unit cannot get on the net (since it doesn't have an Ethernet port) and also cannot load any software or music from discs....Why are people so happy to buy something that limits them in so many ways? And then you have the poor USB port offering... Now that's the icing on the cake. Losing key features like an optical drive, Ethernet port and USB ports so that the unit can fit in an envelope is completely ridiculous. Take the Apple blinders off people.
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55 Posted by color_me_giggley on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse
I think what everyone seems to forget is the Internet as we know it now does not have the bandwidth to support that type of structure. If everyone were to download DVD movies instead of buy them, the infrastructure could not handle it. I have read articles where it will cost billions to upgrade the infrastructure to support downloading movies. OK - Great - who's going to pay for it (or at least pay more for it)? Here's another - WiFi is the wave of the future? I find that hard to believe – you can’t get signals everywhere – I don’t think that will ever happen. How many of you have seen articles on companies who wanted to start city-wide WiFi access? (I linve in a city where they tried doing this) They then had to give up as the startup costs were too high. Add in people not wanting unsightly wireless towers around, and you see the problem. Wireless is not as widespread as some people would like you to believe. It is a nice toy, but I think it's unrealistic to claim that this is the 'wave of the future'.
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56 Posted by sonykingkorn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:33PM EDT Report Abuse
Oh my god, are you people retarded? The MBA is NOT for everyone, it is NOT intended to be a primary computer. It IS intended to be a lightweight ultra-portable for business travelers. I love how everyone is comparing the Air with standard notebooks (and some sites go far enough to compare it to desktops), treat it as it is, an ULTRA PORTABLE! Instead of the Macbook/MacBook Pro, it's more comparable to; Sony's VAIO TX670 Toshiba's Portege Acer's Travelmate If you need an optical drive, wired networking, etc, this has NEVER been intended for you. Jesus people, not every consumer object is intended for you.
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57 Posted by mds24cu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:14PM EDT Report Abuse
One thing that all of this machine's supporters keep saying is confusing... You say this is the ultimate portability device, for those travelers who don't want to carry a full size laptop on the road to all your hotels that have wireless, etc. Then, you defend the lack of an optical drive saying you can do this remote device thing. Really? Where is this remote device? At home? Your booting on it from across the country? Did I miss when hotels started leaving hard drives in the rooms? Or, are you hijacking the front-desk guy's PC? Your argument is somewhat self-defeating. Look, we get it, for some people (with expense accounts or for whom money is no object) is a cool, light device to carry around and show off. It looks beautiful, weighs nothing, etc. The fact of the matter is that its useless for, what, 90-95% of the laptop community? I think that's the point the detractors are trying to make. Do the other Mac Books satisfy a lot more of that population, sure, but that was never the point of this article.
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58 Posted by brianrkunick on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse
Again, Apple has not thought about what the consumer needs, but focused again on what "they" want to deliver. A thin computer, that is missing half of its components. As with this product and the iPhone, they are just duplicating products in the market, not delivering miracles to the human race.
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59 Posted by edwinbrito on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse
In my opinion, Apple is moving in the right direccion. We are gog to be more wireless, CDs and DVDs are going to disappear. Don't freak out and get use to the next generation of laptops!!!
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60 Posted by noloc45 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:40PM EDT Report Abuse
Definitely not a desktop replacement!! Or is it?? Pretty much, the idea is to bust out almost $2000 grand, then even MORE money on all the extra external things you need. Its ridiculous. I know Solid State Disk is awesome, but really, 64gb?? NOT worth that much. Not the greatest thing to come out of Apple Inc. Will wait for better upgrades in the future, if it has one.
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61 Posted by d.0611s on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse
You have to spend an extra what $300 just to use the darn thing! So not worth the $$$!!!!
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62 Posted by charles_mackay on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse
I get the impression most people in this forum are missing the point. macbook air is perfect when you have a desktop computer but you want to go on line while you are - in bed, at a coffee shop, in front of TV etc. its an accessory, and a great one at that. I replaced my Macbook pro for a large iMac and a macbook air and am thrilled.
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46 Posted by shallremainnamls on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:16PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't see what everyone's complaining about. It's freedom of choice for consumers. If you don't like it, don't buy it...simple! Personally, it looks to me like the cost of the add-ons listed in the article are very reasonable compared to others. I'm sure many people spend 3x the cost of these simple add-ons on their kids' video games without complaint, and video games are much less useful. Everyone is entitled their own opinion, and this is very simply mine. Personally, if you are into style, go for it. If you just have to have a more complex machine, then by all means spend twice as much on a machine that fits your needs.