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I just don't believe they will be killing the FireWire port in the MacBook. I'm sure (or hope) there is a solution one way or another.
 
nope, its not, its too small, look at it next to the USB port. Mini-DVI is about 1.5x the height of USB, this ones the same height, if not smaller. I assume its a proprietary plug made by apple that supports adapters for HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort and VGA. hey, why not?

OK, so a new Micro-DVI Port, with new adapters, yes, why not?
 
maybe the new MB will be the only low-price machine, and the MBP will start at the same price point as the current MB did. so if you need FW buy a MBP for the same price as a (current) MB. no reason to cry. maybe.
 
ESATA guys...

That additional port is eSATA, there's no doubt about it in my mind. Has the exact dimensions. Oh, and the reason for that there is only an FW800 port is very likely because of the new FW standard that has recently (or will soon be) approved.

mcorange
 
I'm still annoyed at Apple for not putting a proper expansion port on the macbooks, just about every other "low end" on the market has at least a PCMCIA port, if not an expresscard slot..
 
I just don't believe they will be killing the FireWire port in the MacBook. I'm sure (or hope) there is a solution one way or another.

In the meantime, here is yesterday's (still open) poll that asks, what would have been the preferred port on the new MacBooks, Ethernet of FireWire.

By no means is it an anti-Ethernet poll. It should rather show how many people deem FireWire as the more important feature than Ethernet, while still nearly as many people need Ethernet over FireWire (at the moment it's 60% FW, 40% Ethernet).

The reason that there is no "both" option in the poll is, that this is obviously the right decision to make, hence it would generate far over 90% of votes if present.

An outcome of 60/40 shows exactly that: Both are needed. Hopefully Apple will implement the FireWire through Ethernet plug method.

Again, here's the poll.
 
firewire.jpg


The little port befor the two USB looks like a mini FireWire (see picture). One thats covered with tape, could be HDMI.


It could be , but then again it looks a little different to any ports that I've seen before , maybe Apple has developed a new adapter for firewire?....I hope so , I just been out and bought some external FIREWIRE HDD's for a home music studio set up so I'll be pissed if firewire isn't included
 
That additional port is eSATA, there's no doubt about it in my mind. Has the exact dimensions. Oh, and the reason for that there is only an FW800 port is very likely because of the new FW standard that has recently (or will soon be) approved.

mcorange

Hopefully it's eSATA, that would be great! :D
 
in my opinion the additional port could be and should be HDMI.
Comparing the size of HDMI to USB port, it is slightly broader. This would make sense if you look at the USB and the taped over port in the images.

(image of a sony z notebook, compare size of hdmi and usb port)
 

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Apple is making a big mistake if they do leave out Firewire.

I understand product differentiation, but I also understand that the Macbook outsells the Macbook Pro 20/1, and all those Firewire users are not going to spend an extra grand for a Macbook Pro just to get Firewire.
 
Why would they drop FW?

FW for consumer video cameras is a system that works very well. There are no issues with 100 different formats like you get on tapeless devices. Yes, tapes do not have a great sex appeal these days, but even HDV can be transfered and worked with in realtime even on G5 level machines while AVCHD usually needs conversions that can take hours.

Look at all those FW camcorders still in use today and at current topp consumer devices like the Canon HV20 / HV30 that offer a quality that can only be matched by few (if any) consumer tapeless devices.

I have a Canon HV20 - it is only a few monts old and the picture looks really impressive on the 24'' iMac. Why should I not be able to use it on next generation machines? Why drop it?

Christian
 
in my opinion the additional port could be and should be HDMI.
Comparing the size of HDMI to USB port, it is slightly broader. This would make sense if you look at the USB and the taped over port in the images.

(image of a sony z notebook, compare size of hdmi and usb port)
It could well be but it is in an awful position if so in terms of where the cable will run.
 
Relax!!!

I can't believe the amount of foam in peoples mouths....

Why is it, every time Apple announce something does 80% of the population get Rabies???

Learn patience and just wait, if that's what Apple does and want it that way then I don't see the big deal?

Maybe I've seen so many of these over 20 years I'm just over the hype and speculation until it's here! Or have I just become cynical about the way Apple markets their stuff???

Anyway, my opinion, shut up and wait....:confused:
 
I can't believe the amount of foam in peoples mouths....

Why is it, every time Apple announce something does 80% of the population get Rabies???

Learn patience and just wait, if that's what Apple does and want it that way then I don't see the big deal?

Maybe I've seen so many of these over 20 years I'm just over the hype and speculation until it's here! Or have I just become cynical about the way Apple markets their stuff???

Anyway, my opinion, shut up and wait....:confused:

Remember: this is a forum - where you discuss things like this..... :p
 
I think the Firewire over ethernet is EXTREMELY likely.

Since if you are the 1 in 10,000 people who need to use both you could just get the mac 10/100 USB adapter.

If you need all your ports, then you need a Macbook Pro, or Mac Tower ;P Since you would be classed as a power user!
 
Anyway, my opinion, shut up and wait....:confused:

While speculating is fun and part of the point behind MR I agree that all of these people passing judgement on MB/MBPs that haven't even been released yet is kind of ridiculous. It seems a lot of people are pretty much expecting Apple to screw them over, while that is completely possible I like to be optimistic when it comes to things like this. My point...just wait 31 hours until you damn Apple to hell for screwing us all over. :p
 
Hdmi

Looking at the width of the ports, the taped over "mystery" hole appears like an HDMI out on the Macbook Pro casing..... Here's hoping! 30" HD support!

Bring on tomorrow:)
 
FIREWIRE IS ESSENTIAL FOR:

- Repairs via Target Disk Mode.
- Connection to Firewire camcorders.
- Fast and efficient file transfer (Retrospect backups, Time Machine backps, etc). PARTICULARLY FOR LARGE FILES.

EVEN FIREWIRE 400 is much faster, efficient and trouble-free than USB 2.

Is Apple fool? NO FIREWIRE, NO PURCHASE!!!
 
I can't believe the amount of foam in peoples mouths....

Why is it, every time Apple announce something does 80% of the population get Rabies???

Learn patience and just wait, if that's what Apple does and want it that way then I don't see the big deal?

Maybe I've seen so many of these over 20 years I'm just over the hype and speculation until it's here! Or have I just become cynical about the way Apple markets their stuff???
Anyway, my opinion, shut up and wait....:confused:

80% of the population, I doubt it is even 80% of people who use this forum. Though I admit that there is no point in getting mad until the actual notebooks have been announced.
 
I think the Firewire over ethernet is EXTREMELY likely.

Since if you are the 1 in 10,000 people who need to use both you could just get the mac 10/100 USB adapter.

If you need all your ports, then you need a Macbook Pro, or Mac Tower ;P Since you would be classed as a power user!

Exactly it would almost make more sense to drop the ethernet the firewire. But Apple started the spec for Firewire and the idea of using Firewire over standard Cat6 cable has been there from start.

So if they can get a best of both worlds situation it seems like a good way of getting it.

Isn't Firewire very similar to IP anyway?

Wondering if anybody here knows enough to answer. Does firewire need any special silicon support or would all it needs be in the nVidia chip anyway and this could be purely implemented as firmware?

We know the spec is written wikipeadia tells us so. It's a question of support in hardware. Still if Apple have been talking to nVidia for a year or more then it might make sense that this might be something in the shopping list.
 
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