• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

MacBook NO FIREWIRE

#22
scottice said:
That sucks for you. Apple is moving away from Firewire because USB2 is faster.

http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/17/steve-jobs-on-lack-of-firewire-in-macbooks/

It's the inevitable move on kinda' thing. Just return it and buy the last version of the MacBook, or buy the last version of a MacBook Pro (you could probably nab one for almost the same price as you NEW MacBook).
Click to expand...

USB2 may be "faster" on spec sheets, but firewire has better overall throughput.

In any case, the likely reason for Apple to remove firewire from MacBooks is to A) save manufacturing costs and B) provide a feature differentiator for the MacBook Pro.

A bigger gripe, IMO, is that you can't get a matte screen on any of the new macbooks (or pros). I
 
#23
scottice said:
But he doesn't HAVE a Mac PRO.
Click to expand...

Right, but you claimed USB2 is faster. That's wrong at worst, misleading at best. VERY different architectures.

Do some searching around here on the new MacBooks, we discussed this change (and the difference between Firewire and USB) at length in another thread a few weeks ago.

As to the OP, this change was anything but secret. I agree it was a bad move on Apple's part. Cancel the order / return the machine if you can't cancel, and get a refurb MB Pro.

-Mark
 
#24
mrokern said:
Do some searching around here on the new MacBooks, we discussed this change (and the difference between Firewire and USB) at length in another thread a few weeks ago.
-Mark
Click to expand...

I searched before starting and didn't see a thread. Was it in another forum besides recording equipment?

Looks as if the consensus is to return and get a refurb'd one w/ a firewire port. I was leaning that way too but thought the usb adapter was a possibility.

thanks for the help
 
#25
mkrtu9 said:
I searched before starting and didn't see a thread. Was it in another forum besides recording equipment?

Looks as if the consensus is to return and get a refurb'd one w/ a firewire port. I was leaning that way too but thought the usb adapter was a possibility.

thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Here ya go, brother. It was in OT.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478938

It wasn't the firewire discussion, though. I'll dig that up...apologies, I posted that rant in a different thread. ;)
 
#26
Can't find the long one, but here are the highlights. :)

Short version is (as someone mentioned above) that while USB2 can burst up to 480, there are some inherent deficiencies in the standard for constant transfer of large amounts of data.

USB is a shared architecture, so every USB device eats into the resources available...but more than that, USB requires CPU intervention on a transactional basis. Hence, it will never match the sustained speed of Firewire, which does not require CPU intervention and allows for dedicated connections.

-Mark
 
#28
As big a fan of Macs as I am, I kind of think they dropped the ball on this. I run a network of 350 macs, two mac servers, and I manage it all using ARD. Firewire is a crucial tool for me, because it's how I image my machines. Thanks for the heads up, because I typically order Macbooks as my basic teacher machine. Guess everyone's getting a MacBook Pro now.
 
#29
mkrtu9 said:
didn't ask to get flagged! Thanks for the lack of info
Click to expand...

Gee... I actually gave you a lot of info about how to get a new (not used, not refurbed) macbook with FW, or a deal on a new or refurb macbook pro with firewire. I've owned both new and refurb mac laptops and they have been excellent machines.

Sorry if I ruffled your feathers. I didn't know talkbass had become such a touchy community. I learned the hard way too. I bought my first iBook the day before a new model was released because I didn't look for info at any of the mac sites.

Keep think link handy:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

Really, I saw threads about the lack of FW on the new macbooks here, on the ableton site, on createdigitalmusic, slashdot, cnet... It was a major bummer and Apple still has not come forward with any information about how this might reflect future specs.

And +1 on USB3 being a joke. It doesn't even spec out as being competitive with FW800 or eSATA, and like USB2 it will certainly underperform in real usage. If the numbers you (the editorial "you", no hurt feelings) are comparing are burst numbers, good luck with that. Burst has nothing to do with crammin 16 channels of 24/96 over a cable.
 
#30
fretlessrock said:
Gee... I actually gave you a lot of info about how to get a new (not used, not refurbed) macbook with FW, or a deal on a new or refurb macbook pro with firewire. I've owned both new and refurb mac laptops and they have been excellent machines.

Sorry if I ruffled your feathers. I didn't know talkbass had become such a touchy community. I learned the hard way too. I bought my first iBook the day before a new model was released because I didn't look for info at any of the mac sites.

Keep think link handy:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

Really, I saw threads about the lack of FW on the new macbooks here, on the ableton site, on createdigitalmusic, slashdot, cnet... It was a major bummer and Apple still has not come forward with any information about how this might reflect future specs.

And +1 on USB3 being a joke. It doesn't even spec out as being competitive with FW800 or eSATA, and like USB2 it will certainly underperform in real usage. If the numbers you (the editorial "you", no hurt feelings) are comparing are burst numbers, good luck with that. Burst has nothing to do with crammin 16 channels of 24/96 over a cable.
Click to expand...

No feathers ruffled here...guess I took it highly negative. No big deal.

I do appreciate the follow up though.
 
#33
Dan1099 said:
Say I get a Pro, with a firewire 800 port, and I want to use an interface with a firewire 400 output... are they compatible?
Click to expand...

you can buy a 800 to 400 cable.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/1394B96012/

6-9Cable12.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back