I mean honestly, props for getting a drive out that only uses USB to run (as opposed to an outlet)
But there should be no reason its not compatible with other Macs.
On the other side of the Apple, corperate greed is eating away at the tender rainbow flesh.
And Ryan...
Seriously though, why do you defend all the inane stunts that Apple pulls? Its attitudes like yours which lets corperations like Apple get away with this sort of nickle and diming.
Demand more from the companies you purchase from, and they shall provide. Accept the status quo and you have lost.
Of course this is to be expected from Apple. You can get a normal DVD burner that runs off of USB power for $80 or less. Just look around on Google. I have one that runs on every single laptop I have from a single USB port, no other power source, and no drivers.
as you say, how many of us have other laptops needing an external optical anyway?
but maybe there's a hidden benefit: could you test that usb port and see if it puts out enough power to drive TWO external hard drives, thru an UN-powered usb hub?
if so, an owner could keep his/her files on an external drive AND back up that drive from the computer.
@OK: You can't find an $80 dvd drive that is powered by a SINGLE USB cable, they all require two ports because DVD burners require 1000mA of power, and USB only provides 500mA.
Only one drive on the market (its also slot load) can be used with one USB cable and can be used with any machine with a single USB port, Mac, PC, you name it. http://www.slidirect.com/product40-129.html
Yeah, seriously Ryan. You're out of control with being OK with Apple's BS. "Seriously though, how many machines do you have that need an external optical drive, anyway?" Um, how about "I just paid $100 for an external drive (!) on top of my $1800 laptop, so I'd like to use it with other computers."? This isn't rocket science, man. This is Bullshit on Apple's part, so please don't stick the defense in the end of the article.
I like the article. I like how engadget is so "unbiased" againts windows.
I llike how engadget was ripping about Jeff Jones' Vista vulnerability report. And now doesn't give a crap about the major issue that the MacBook Air Superdrive is not compatible with other computers
The issue is, for those of you not just wanting to bash Apple for whatever reasons they can find, is that things require power, and a single USB port isn't supposed to, and can't provide that much.
Yes, as many have pointed out, there are external DVD drives out there, but:
1. They require a power brick as well as USB, or 2. They use more than one USB port to get power (the usual two plugs), or 3. They are low power drives, which, are a lot slower, or 3a. They cannot burn when powered from bus power (the one JWTrooper bought specifies "0. BUS POWER SUPPORT ON READING", in the documentation and has an included power adaptor - not the same thing as the MBA's drive, which doesn't have, and doesn't need an external adaptor.).
Of course, in the great rush to bash Apple for anything you can think of, finer details are forgotten, and the argument inevitably degenerates into name-calling and other childishness. Call me whatever you like, vote my comment down to "Lowest Rated" if you want.
actually, your wrong about that. i have a pioneer external 8x dual-layer dvd burner powered by a single usb port.. on everything i've plugged it into, burns just fine. mac, windows, linux..
I just relised something. The new iMacs (like teh one I have) have this enhanced USB ports. Cos you see, the new apple keyboard has 2 USB 2.0 ports on it. It can power two external HDDs... I've tried. Dosnt this mean it should be able to power this little drive too? Just wondering even tho I have no intention of getting one. Be interesting tho. Someone please try it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LongshotX @ Jan 24th 2008 12:43PM
Can you expect anything less from Apple?
ByrunRoth @ Jan 24th 2008 1:31PM
Not really.
I mean honestly, props for getting a drive out that only uses USB to run (as opposed to an outlet)
But there should be no reason its not compatible with other Macs.
On the other side of the Apple, corperate greed is eating away at the tender rainbow flesh.
And Ryan...
Seriously though, why do you defend all the inane stunts that Apple pulls? Its attitudes like yours which lets corperations like Apple get away with this sort of nickle and diming.
Demand more from the companies you purchase from, and they shall provide. Accept the status quo and you have lost.
OK @ Jan 24th 2008 1:36PM
Of course this is to be expected from Apple. You can get a normal DVD burner that runs off of USB power for $80 or less. Just look around on Google. I have one that runs on every single laptop I have from a single USB port, no other power source, and no drivers.
rtdunham @ Jan 24th 2008 2:06PM
as you say, how many of us have other laptops needing an external optical anyway?
but maybe there's a hidden benefit: could you test that usb port and see if it puts out enough power to drive TWO external hard drives, thru an UN-powered usb hub?
if so, an owner could keep his/her files on an external drive AND back up that drive from the computer.
Rick wilson @ Jan 24th 2008 2:58PM
@OK: You can't find an $80 dvd drive that is powered by a SINGLE USB cable, they all require two ports because DVD burners require 1000mA of power, and USB only provides 500mA.
Only one drive on the market (its also slot load) can be used with one USB cable and can be used with any machine with a single USB port, Mac, PC, you name it.
http://www.slidirect.com/product40-129.html
Nick @ Jan 24th 2008 3:27PM
C-O-R-P-O-R-A-T-I-O-N
JD @ Jan 24th 2008 7:08PM
Yeah, seriously Ryan. You're out of control with being OK with Apple's BS. "Seriously though, how many machines do you have that need an external optical drive, anyway?" Um, how about "I just paid $100 for an external drive (!) on top of my $1800 laptop, so I'd like to use it with other computers."? This isn't rocket science, man. This is Bullshit on Apple's part, so please don't stick the defense in the end of the article.
m4xn00b @ Jan 24th 2008 11:26PM
I like the article. I like how engadget is so "unbiased" againts windows.
I llike how engadget was ripping about Jeff Jones' Vista vulnerability report. And now doesn't give a crap about the major issue that the MacBook Air Superdrive is not compatible with other computers
I'm pretty sure thats how fair journalism works.
/sarcasm
varun @ Jan 25th 2008 12:23AM
Wish they had put a little USB hub on the back ala Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive.
t3h @ Jan 28th 2008 3:17AM
The issue is, for those of you not just wanting to bash Apple for whatever reasons they can find, is that things require power, and a single USB port isn't supposed to, and can't provide that much.
Yes, as many have pointed out, there are external DVD drives out there, but:
1. They require a power brick as well as USB, or
2. They use more than one USB port to get power (the usual two plugs), or
3. They are low power drives, which, are a lot slower, or
3a. They cannot burn when powered from bus power (the one JWTrooper bought specifies "0. BUS POWER SUPPORT ON READING", in the documentation and has an included power adaptor - not the same thing as the MBA's drive, which doesn't have, and doesn't need an external adaptor.).
Of course, in the great rush to bash Apple for anything you can think of, finer details are forgotten, and the argument inevitably degenerates into name-calling and other childishness. Call me whatever you like, vote my comment down to "Lowest Rated" if you want.
minsterkermy @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:51PM
@rick wilson,
actually, your wrong about that. i have a pioneer external 8x dual-layer dvd burner powered by a single usb port.. on everything i've plugged it into, burns just fine. mac, windows, linux..
http://www.centrix-intl.com/details.asp?productid=1825
Sam @ Apr 1st 2008 5:41AM
I just relised something. The new iMacs (like teh one I have) have this enhanced USB ports. Cos you see, the new apple keyboard has 2 USB 2.0 ports on it. It can power two external HDDs... I've tried. Dosnt this mean it should be able to power this little drive too? Just wondering even tho I have no intention of getting one. Be interesting tho. Someone please try it.