Apple drops the ball on MacBook Air optical drive
Leave it to Apple, designing products no one will really need or want and accessories that only work with a single computer. That’s right, the optical drive designed specifically for the MacBook Air won’t work with any other computer.At this point it’s almost what one would expect.
Apple designs a laptop that fills a niche that didn’t need filled and the optical drive is designed such that it only works with the laptop for which it was designed.In the Apple world, this probably makes sense. In the rest of the world, eyebrows are raised, questions form on the tips of tongues but no words come out and the company thinks it has done something very good, god-like even.But it hasn’t, it’s just designed a below average $2,000/$3,000 fanboy service computer.
It’s bad enough the laptop is as expensive as it is and that it omits everything that makes a laptop useful. But to make one of the USB accessories not work with other computers, even other Macs is just unacceptable.Engadget says that standard USB ports such as those found on MacBooks, MacBook Pros and other PCs can’t supply the optical drive with enough power to make it function. I don’t doubt that.
Apple could have supplied other options, like an external power adapter to use it with other computers or some way of connecting two USB cords (one for power/interface, one for additional power).But no, just supply one (mostly) useless laptop with one (mostly) useless optical drive.I wouldn’t be at all surprised if third party optical drives don’t work with the MacBook Air. How’s it feel to own one of these things now?
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January 24th, 2008
I am thrilled there is no optical drive. I have been carrying them (as part of my laptop) for years for no reason at all. I’ve rarely used the DVD player and never used the firewire port or the ethernet port on my current MacBook, so good riddance!
January 24th, 2008
The MacBook Air’s external CD/DVD drive is unique to the MacBook Air. Period.
Using two usb ports – one to power it – is an ugly solution that comes from the PC World. It is BUTT Ugly. It is a better solution to use one cord. Since that required a special USB port that has higher power than the standard, this resulted in a CD/DVD drive that is unique to the MacBook Air.
Instead of criticizing Apple, it would be far better to say that the USB standard for power should be increased so that the MacBook Air’s CD/DVD can be used in any computer.
For example, let’s create the USB 3.0 standard. This will allow a higher power output so that a single cord can then run CD/DVD drives and larger hard drive. That would be fantastic!
Also, USB 3.0 should be at least as fast as firewire, instead of being doggedly slow as USB 2.0. It should also allow multiple speeds at the same time so that a USB 1.0 peripheral doesn’t slow the chain down.
Now that would be a positive statement!
If anything, this shows that Apple is way ahead of the curve – as it has always done for personal computing.
In any case, you can always pick up an external CD/DVD PC laptop drive which uses two USB ports. Why would you want Apple’s part anyway if you have a PC laptop?
Apple is this case is correct.
January 24th, 2008
Wow you really do hate Apple. I can’t say the Macbook Air is for everyone, perhaps even myself, but it’s still a tempting machine. We’ll see how it turns out.
January 27th, 2008
When I first saw the MacBook Air’s USB optical drive, I immediately returned the full-size external LaCie CD/DVD-RW drive I had purchased just a week earlier. My intention was to purchase the MacBook Air’s USB optical drive instead. It has all the benefits I’m looking for: USB connectivity, compact size, great looks, and excellent price.
Now, I find out that this drive ONLY works with the MacBook Air?!? Why?!? What’s the point of offering a device that ONLY works with only ONE of their products? Wouldn’t they make a LOT more money if it worked on all platforms and on any USB equipped computer?!? How many MacBook Air laptops do they HONESTLY believe they are going to sell?!? The old 12″ PowerBook (which was a GREAT computer) was killed off because of poor sales in a VERY niche market – do they honestly think the Air is going to be a HUGE seller @ almost $2000 for a bare-bones device?
I can’t tell you how disappointed I am with Apple for this incredible display of inconsiderate, money-grabbing greed! I expect dumb stuff like this from Microsoft, not from Apple!!!
January 27th, 2008
“I expect dumb stuff like this from Microsoft, not from Apple!!!”
Would dumb extend to confusing a software company with a hardware company? I’m betting the Air’s USB port has trade offs of voltage differentials and draws for sleekness. It’s going to interesting to get the lowdown when people start plugging external usb hubs and devices into it.
January 28th, 2008
“Would dumb extend to confusing a software company with a hardware company?”
Isn’t Apple also a Software Company? and isn’t Michael comparing the companies in stupidity?
He is saying, in essence, “I expect stuff like this from Blonds, not from Apple!!!”
I don’t mind people calling Companies dumb, but don’t be calling other people dumb when they are expression an opinion.
January 28th, 2008
Apple is primarily a hardware company, at least according to teh Steve. Microsoft has never manufactured any of the parts in my computers over the years. I could have pointed out the various practices Apple has employed over the years to squeeze every dime possible from customers, but since you have the ability to read minds from the content of comments, you already knew that. Thanks for your thoughts Emily Post. Got anything on the optical drive, or are you just blog police?
April 20th, 2008
Now you begin to see the real target of Apple’s marketing since their inception. Non-techie “Starbuck” types who haven’t a clue about the real world. Just pay that $4 for a cup of over roasted coffee and $2,000 for that overpriced piece of underperforming junk. Make it simple so simpletons can operate, and because they are simpletons, they’ll pay anything.
And please, don’t give me that nonsense about how great and stable their OS’s have been. Quite a bit easier if you set all the rules with your own proprietary hardware and service as few users as they have. Let Apple try developing software that is error free and capatible with 92% of the world.
My largest gripe about Apple is their arrogance and proprietary mindset. This, however, is the epitomy of arrogance.
Just aren’t enough fanboys in the world to keep Apple alive, so they now have to get in bed with their worst enemy. With all the ragging about Microsoft, isn’t it ironic that Microsoft and Intel will end up saving Apple and their fanboys butt?