2012 iMac omits FireWire 800

Hexley · Nov 27, 2012, 12:36 PM

Apple remove the FireWire port from the iMac while retaining it on the Mac Pro, Mac mini and MacBook Pro.

So will this omission force you to get the dongle or will you transition to a USB 3 and thunderbolt setup? Really wish that one port was retained. Apple has a lot of space for it where they bunch up all the ports.

forty2j · Nov 27, 2012, 12:37 PM

I haven't plugged anything in to FireWire since 2003.

TrboMac · Nov 27, 2012, 12:43 PM

Guess you're best to get the adapter for now. I use FW for my external HD and music recording interface. My 2011 iMac has it of course, but if it did not, I'd consider the adapter first, until more USB 3 interfaces show up.

peeaanuut · Nov 27, 2012, 12:45 PM

I have the Seagate drives so I will most likely get the adapter from them to convert drives to thunderbolt and get the faster speeds.

xgman · Nov 27, 2012, 12:46 PM

The vast majority of audio interfaces still use firewire. So dongle it is.

CWallace · Nov 27, 2012, 01:11 PM

I use FireWire for my external storage (2 4TB WD My Book IIs), but my ATD does have FW so I'm still covered should I replace my 2011 iMac with a 2012 or 2013 model.

Siderz · Nov 27, 2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hexley

Apple remove the FireWire port from the iMac while retaining it on the Mac Pro, Mac mini and MacBook Pro.

So will this omission force you to get the dongle or will you transition to a USB 3 and thunderbolt setup? Really wish that one port was retained. Apple has a lot of space for it where they bunch up all the ports.

I got an adapter specially for when I get the new iMac.

I hope to get a Thunderbolt drive sooner or later.

Not gonna use USB 3.0 for video editing. Maybe backups, not video editing.

peeaanuut · Nov 27, 2012, 02:04 PM

If you are gonna transition from FW800 go TB or get an adapter. Dnt take the halfstep to USB3. Just seems a waste of money to me.

jessica. · Nov 27, 2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeaanuut

If you are gonna transition from FW800 go TB or get an adapter. Dnt take the halfstep to USB3. Just seems a waste of money to me.

And wouldn't it bottleneck?

peeaanuut · Nov 27, 2012, 02:13 PM

even if a bottleneck did occur, at the throughput speeds could anyone tell? Also, most people only have 1 or maybe 2 externals so there isnt much to slow it up. AAAANNNNDDDD if they are on FW already, then they are already in a chain system.

7enderbender · Nov 27, 2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hexley

Apple remove the FireWire port from the iMac while retaining it on the Mac Pro, Mac mini and MacBook Pro.

So will this omission force you to get the dongle or will you transition to a USB 3 and thunderbolt setup? Really wish that one port was retained. Apple has a lot of space for it where they bunch up all the ports.

This was one of the reasons why I took the iMac off my list of options for my next desktop. For serious audio interfaces there are very few choices with Thunderbolt - and those cost an arm and a leg still. USB3 doesn't exist at all. So FW is still the gold standard. I know that there is a TB to FW adapter but people have reported issues with those for audio. I know, Apple always knows best what is good for you just like the government - only when they don't. Same goes by the way for eliminating the CD drive. Still needed for a lot of creative folks - you know the people who initially made Apple what it is? I know I can buy an external drive and that's ok. I shouldn't have to pay extra for just because some arrogant designer with big frame glasses and a turtleneck thought it was in the way of world-dominance through ultra-chique appearance.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgman

The vast majority of audio interfaces still use firewire. So dongle it is.

Make sure that you don't have a bus powered interface. Apparently those don't work.

Hexley · Nov 28, 2012, 01:50 AM

Are there any 3rd party adapters that does not cost as much as the Apple one?

Siderz · Nov 28, 2012, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hexley

Are there any 3rd party adapters that does not cost as much as the Apple one?

Not yet, the only other way around it is to get a Thunderbolt dock/hub thing, and they're extremely expensive.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Make sure that you don't have a bus powered interface. Apparently those don't work.

I bought one specially for the new iMac, and I tried it on my 2011 11" MacBook Air and it could power my 7200rpm G-Drive Mini.

The larger drive I have uses the mains anyway so it doesn't matter if it can't power much.

Nov 27, 2012, 12:36 PM	#1
Hexley macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009	2012 iMac omits FireWire 800 Apple remove the FireWire port from the iMac while retaining it on the Mac Pro, Mac mini and MacBook Pro. So will this omission force you to get the dongle or will you transition to a USB 3 and thunderbolt setup? Really wish that one port was retained. Apple has a lot of space for it where they bunch up all the ports.
	1

Nov 27, 2012, 12:37 PM	#2
forty2j macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ	I haven't plugged anything in to FireWire since 2003. __________________  2012 iMac 3.2GHz 27" 680MX Fusion  iPhone 5  Apple TV 2  iPad 2 
	0

Nov 27, 2012, 12:43 PM	#3
TrboMac macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NC/USA	Guess you're best to get the adapter for now. I use FW for my external HD and music recording interface. My 2011 iMac has it of course, but if it did not, I'd consider the adapter first, until more USB 3 interfaces show up. __________________ 2011 21.5" iMac, i5, 2.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HD
	0

Nov 27, 2012, 12:46 PM	#5
xgman macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2007	The vast majority of audio interfaces still use firewire. So dongle it is. __________________ {2012 27imac-3.4i7-680mx-32gb ram-768SSD+External TB Samsung840pro ssd + TB velociraptors-UAD Apollo/Marantz/Amphion/Bowers&Wilkins Sound-Impulse 61} {ipads}{iphones}
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Nov 27, 2012, 12:45 PM	#4
peeaanuut Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California	I have the Seagate drives so I will most likely get the adapter from them to convert drives to thunderbolt and get the faster speeds.
	0

Nov 27, 2012, 01:11 PM	#6
CWallace macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle, WA	I use FireWire for my external storage (2 4TB WD My Book IIs), but my ATD does have FW so I'm still covered should I replace my 2011 iMac with a 2012 or 2013 model.
	1

Nov 27, 2012, 02:04 PM	#8
peeaanuut Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California	If you are gonna transition from FW800 go TB or get an adapter. Dnt take the halfstep to USB3. Just seems a waste of money to me.
	1

Nov 27, 2012, 02:13 PM	#10
peeaanuut Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California	even if a bottleneck did occur, at the throughput speeds could anyone tell? Also, most people only have 1 or maybe 2 externals so there isnt much to slow it up. AAAANNNNDDDD if they are on FW already, then they are already in a chain system.
	0

Nov 28, 2012, 01:50 AM	#12
Hexley Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009	Are there any 3rd party adapters that does not cost as much as the Apple one?
	0