Apple Macbook Air SuperDrive (MB397G/A)

List Price: $99.99 Discount Price: $97.87

Features:

• SuperDrive designed for the MacBook Air allows DVD/CD burning and playing
• Built-in USB cable never gets lost or misplaced
• Slot-loading, sleek design complements MacBook Air
• Requires MacBook Air with available USB 2.0 port
• Device measures 5.47 x 0.67 x 5.47 inches (WxHxD)

Customer Reviews:

not so unique [Posted on 2008-02-28]
The MacBook Air is very thin, but I don't think it's the only notebook with a special USB port for something like the SuperDrive.


IBM/Lenovo has a similar Super Multi-Burner Drive that works from a single USB port on ThinkPad X40/X41, X Series Tablet, and X60 Series notebooks. Will this drive work on the MacBook Air? Or, can the MacBook Air SuperDrive work on these Thinkpads?


Furthermore, Samsung makes a DVD-RW Dual Layer Drive for the Q1 Ultra UMPC (ultra-mobile PC). Once again, this drive will work from a single USB port on the Q1 Ultra UMPC (the one with the split keyboard on the front). Once again, can the MacBook Air SuperDrive work on these UMPCs?


So, is the USB port on the MacBook Air so unique?

http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/

Does the job [Posted on 2008-03-06]
I bought the Superdrive along with my Macbook Air because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of using another computer's drive to install software. It works just fine for that function. It's light, quiet and easily packs away in my bag when I don't need it. I might also use it occasionally to watch a DVD but so far I've only watched programs I bought from Itunes.

The only negative is that it provides an additional drain on the battery if you're away from an AC source, maybe more-so than a built in drive. I guess the lack of a USB port is also a negative although in my case I don't see when I would need this. Given the price of the computer itself - I got the SSD version- getting this was a no-brainer.

UPDATE: I've used the drive for watching DVD's several time now and the drain on the battery isn't too bad. Would be nice to have a replaceable battery in the MBA but you can't have everything.

Not unique, but very nice design at a good price [Posted on 2008-03-15]
Quote: "But if you want to install Boot Camp or play DVDs, it's pretty much the only game in town right now."

Actually, pretty much any external portable DVD drive should work with the MacBook Air.

I have an external Targus DVD drive and a no-name brand; both work with the Airbook.

Most external, portable DVD drives have two USB cables, one for data and power, the second for extra power alone. The reason is that USB is limited to 2.5 Watts, but DVD drives tend to use more than that (same is true for most external 2.5" hard drives). Apple is boosting the power in its USB port by providing extra amps; this is why the MacBook Air SuperDrive needs only one cable.

So, any external, portable DVD drive should work by plugging in a single USB cable. The converse is not true: the Air SuperDrive will only work in extra powered, non-standard USB ports, ie. virtually no others.

Still, this is a beautifully designed drive for a very good price (being a minimalist, I'd like to see a version that is a little lighter, but I haven't found one that is smaller and lighter than the Air SuperDrive yet).

Cheers,
Godo, author of "The Carbon Buster's Home Energy Handbook"

PS: you may want to consider using a bluetooth mouse and keyboard if you find the single USB port too limiting.

USB port hogging is very inconvenient [Posted on 2008-04-24]
An optical drive is pretty much indispensable with a MacBook Air, and this drive is certainly a high-quality product in many ways. But (1) it won't work with anything but a MacBook Air, and (2) it won't work on a USB hub; it has to be plugged directly into the MacBook. This can be very inconvenient, as you may really need to have other devices plugged in (e.g., a tablet, a camera, a printer, the Air ethernet dongle, or any number of other devices that you don't want to have to unplug just to use the optical drive).

There are of course ways around this, such as copying the contents of an installation disc to your hard drive and installing from there (but the Air's largest disk is only 80GB), or, as Apple recommends, installing over the WiFi network from an optical drive on another system on your LAN (considerably slower).

So although I haven't hit any showstoppers yet, I know that some people have, and frankly, Apple needs to come out with a USB hub that will solve this problem.

Otherwise, as mentioned, it's an excellent product - great price, great performance, great packaging design. But if you really want better connectivity and performance at a better price, you might seriously consider sacrificing the light weight and sexy looks of the Air and its SuperDrive and get yourself a 2.4GHz MacBook (with bigger disk and more max ram) for a lot less $$. This machine is no slouch, has integrated optical drive, an extra USB port, an ethernet port, and a Firewire port. A lot of value.

Amazing  [Posted on 2008-05-03]
My main concern was to buy a light notebook where I can carry with me where ever I go...Mac Air is a great piece of art with all Apple powerful features. The screen size is wonderful and every thing you need is.built in that laptop. Two comments I have, hard desk size comes in two options either 80 G or I guess 64 SSD technology. On the other hand, DVD drive is external. I believe Apple has the capability in building in the super drive and also giving us more hard desk options of 120 or 240 G. other wise, a perfect buy :)

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