MacOSG: MacBook Air’s ‘Remote Disc’ doesn’t work for certain functions
Posted by Dave Merten 
Jan 30, 2008 at 2:17pm
The MacBook Air is the first Mac to support wireless network booting, also known as netboot. This function works in conjunction with the “Remote Disc” feature, allowing the computer to boot from Mac OS X Install discs that are running in other computers’ optical drives. There are some functions that will not work though.
Recently, Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal, tested the MacBook Air’s “Remote Disc” function and found that it doesn’t work for installing Windows on your Mac, for watching DVDs, or for playing or importing music. You will need to purchase the $99.00 external optical drive to use these functions.
So, could this be another potential deal-breaker for some people? I think adam101569 over at MacFixIt sums is it quite nicely; “The MacBook Air is a niche product, even for Apple. It is strictly intended as a secondary machine to take a subset of your work on the road in a lightweight, powerful package. It may not be right for you, it will not be right for most of us. However, for its designed purpose the machine is an elegant solution.”
You can view Walt Mossberg’s video review of the MacBook Air below.
The “Macsimum MWSF 2007 Coupon Book” is available for download. You can find it here and print it as a PDF. It has discounts, special offers and promotions.
Mac Owners Support Group—aka MacOSG—was conceived by Dave Merten, the former ‘Focus on Mac Support’ guide at About.com. Since it’s humble beginning as ‘G5 Owners Support Group’ back in February 2004, MacOSG has become one of the world’s fastest-growing online Apple User Groups, dedicated to helping Mac users from all over the globe.
MacOSG Home
Support Forums
MacOSG Podcast
Become a Member
Mac611 Mobile Mac Support
Email us: admin AT macosg.com
Video courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.
Leave a comment ⇒
Please post the article topic & comment in our forums. No registration required.
Article Information
Comment on this Article Print this Article Email this Article Digg This
Contributor
Dave Merten
Dave was one of the founding guides at ‘The Mining Company,’ now known as About.com, in February 1998. Dave was their ‘Focus on Mac Support’ guide. In 2004 he started ‘G5 Owners Support Group,’ and in 2005, renamed it ‘Mac Owners Support Group.’ In 2006, he started the ‘MacOSG Support Corner’ column here at Macsimum News.
View Dave Merten's Articles
