can any external usb 2.0 optical drive work for the macbook air? or do i have to get the superdrive by apple

anyone?

I've got no idea.
At least I once read about a hardware hack that enables the macbook air to work with every mac and pc

why not just go to someone who owns an external drive. I would just give it a try.

At least it should work because, on our hackint0shes the dvd/cd drives also work

USB powered or AC powered??? Any AC adapter powered drive will work.

what about booting? heard only certain external dvd drives are able to boot into leopard discs or windows

that is true....to boot from the leo disk you have to have an apple approved optical drive, which is pretty much only manufactured by them

so to answer your question...yes you need an apple superdrive
keep in mind that you can install leopard on an air with an application called "remote install OSX" its in your utilities
and you can also just share with a computer and use there drive

<--Reps always nice