Or can I use a third party one that is half the price? If there will be compatibility issues then I would prefer the Apple, but if it's just the same (like not needing to buy a SuperDrive any USB DVD reader/writer will do) can a third party one be used?
MacBook Air – Do I Have to Use the Apple USB Ethernet Adapter?
ethernetmacbook prousb
Related Solutions
The SuperDrive does only work with the MacBook Air, but the MacBook Air supports a lot of other drives.
For example there is the Asus External-Optical-SDRW ($37,75). Cheap, fairly fast and not very ugly :)
Or the Samsung External-Optical-SE. ($45,80) A bit more expensive, but it support way more formats and speeds:
I had the same problem and a couple of minutes ago I saw something about the "Android File Transfer Agent" having problems with the device. So uninstalled "iSyncr" software (sync android over Wifi), disconnected the usb device, plugged it again and now it's working fine.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3941878?start=0&tstart=0
Best Answer
You don't have to but your mileage will vary between the adaptors if they work or not. The Apple ones have drivers built into OS X, most of the others should work but there'll be varying levels of success.