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I'd argue strongly against that - Besides, USB2 has been out for half a decade. USB2 has it's excellent uses, just not so great for data storage or high bandwidth media streaming. USB2 gets better with newer and faster computers..... because it depends on processor overhead for it's operation. While FireWire 400 (1394A) has been consistently as fast as data source it's bridging and computer that's using/taking that data since day one - USB2 has been and remains slower still today just by it's very design. FireWire 800 effectively doubles FW400 performance. Sure like to see FW1600 or 3200 get settled and available though. With eSATA options and USB3 (1-2 years away realistically) though - may not really gain traction unless it's very soon.
We'll see... FWIW - USB2 is very well marketed... many still think it's faster than FireWire by its 480MBit max throughput spec vs. the 400MBit rating of FireWire 400 (FW800 is 800MBit). But that's tech spec marketing as in realworld, even on a 8-Core Mac Pro - USB2 is at best doing about 330MBit (less than 35MB/s) vs. FireWire 400 that is cranking out nearly the full 400MBit (over 40 Megs per second). And... Unlike USB2 - same drive will also crank that data out on a PowerMac G4 or even G3 whereas USB2 performance on older systems can be less than 20MB/s.
If FireWire is truly dead, it's for all the wrong reasons.
Speedy wrote:
Firewire was dead the day USB2 came out. Every device maker was going to transition to USB2 in a matter of time.
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I'm somewhat new to USB2, but it does everything I need it too (mostly external storage and backup) just fine-- it's not like I'm going to sit there and watch while I do a weekly backup, or offload 80 or 120 GB of files. And it's cheap.
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Hi everyone,
I agree with MM and OWC Larry (Thanks for the excellent post, BTW!) that firewire is definitely superior to USB 2. I prefer firewire and I'll miss it on the Macbook. Don't doubt that for a second. However, I'm a realist. The newest Macbooks don't have it and Apple is unlikely to restore it in a future model given the target audience of the machines. We can complain to our hearts content but I doubt it's going to change Apple's course of action.
As the primary tech (of sorts) for a slew of people as well as my own business, my priority isn't going to complain about the loss of firewire on a consumer oriented notebook computer. It will be to adapt to the situation and account for the change in my troubleshooting and repair kit. I troubleshot issues on Macs before the existence of firewire. I'll continue troubleshooting issues on Macs now that the Macbook lacks firewire.
I can adapt to this change. You can, too. Of this, I have no doubt whatsoever.
Robert
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Will future MacBook 13" models have FireWire... there is a chance for it. When Apple first introduced the MacBook Pros - they dropped Firewire 800 from them vs. the PowerBook G4 15" models which had FW800. The very next model update had FireWire 800 on those 15" MBPs and that was a direct result of user outcry.
It wouldn't be so annoying if they added an ExpressCard port. Even most of the el cheapo PC laptops have such and that at least allows a user to add interface options they'd like... eSATA, performance media reader... FireWire, etc.
The new MacBook moved things so far ahead of the prior model in so many ways, just a bummer to have this one little detail step backwards.
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"It wouldn't be so annoying if they added an ExpressCard port."
Exactly!
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guitarist wrote:
"You don't really have a choice "but" to use firewire to import video from cameras that use tape."
False. I have a new Sony HD Digital Video camera that uses tape exclusively, and has multiple connections, Firewire, HDMI, and USB.
only FireWire best guards against dropped frames from tape.
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One of the reasons the IT department where I worked opposed including Apple computers was because they were the sole supplier of the computer and operating system. If a company has a large investment in Firewire drives, etc. this change would create havoc. Who knows what other changes Apple has in mind? And there is no alternative.
