True, but Apple invented Firewire and worked to get IEEE1394 established. They didn't invent floppy disks. Also, FW has advantages over USB that floppies don't over CD slots. That's the perplexing part.
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No FireWire in MacBooks
- Thread starter kolax
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True, but Apple invented Firewire and worked to get IEEE1394 established. They didn't invent floppy disks. Also, FW has advantages over USB that floppies don't over CD slots. That's the perplexing part.
You could always hook up an external USB floppy drive. This is worse. There is no way to add FireWire to a MacBook.
Great point! AND often you could call the software maker and get the CDs to replace the floppies for a nominal charge. Here, people have to replace expensive peripherals.
UNLESS Apple surprises us with some sort of ethernet adapter story or other approach that could work, but I don't see it right now.
Agreed, but I'd do XP before either Vista or Linux. Can't believe I'm going through these options..
Isaac
Isaac -- get a last gen MacBook (the 2.2GHz ones) -- white or black. They're reasonable little machines, are a little cheaper right now, and you can user-upgrade the HDD and memory. Look at the refurbished options on apple.com -- $999
I had one, but sold it thinking I'd get one of the new ones. Boy was I foolish!
One warning: they don't game as well (which is not an issue for me, but is for many people).
Apple agrees! (Priceless)
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/15/zut-alors-macbook-announcement-doesnt-translate-well/
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/15/zut-alors-macbook-announcement-doesnt-translate-well/
Good suggestion. Ubuntu has a specific Canonical supported derivative called Ubuntu Studio that basically has pre-packaged video, audio, and graphics suites. You basically tell it which you're going to be doing at install (or all three), and it installs everything relevant with just a couple clicks. Very cool. Great looking OS too.
I've got 4 external hard drives and a scanner that all run on 400 firewire and just bought a hub because I've only one port on my MBP.
I don't know why they ditched 400 firewire it seems mad.
Steve's throwaway line about buying a cable to convert would have more conviction if one was included in the box or even for sale separately on Apple's website. As it is I haven't found one available in the UK at all. No one is commenting on how well this works even if you can find one.
What happens if I attach my four external hard drives and a scanner to the 800 port with a conversion cable? (If I can find one)
I think we should be told.
I don't know why they ditched 400 firewire it seems mad.
Steve's throwaway line about buying a cable to convert would have more conviction if one was included in the box or even for sale separately on Apple's website. As it is I haven't found one available in the UK at all. No one is commenting on how well this works even if you can find one.
What happens if I attach my four external hard drives and a scanner to the 800 port with a conversion cable? (If I can find one)
I think we should be told.
FW800 and FW400 are compatible both ways (speed reduces to 400).
You just need a 6-pin to 9-pin cable or adapter (sometimes misleadingly called "gender changer").
Granite Digital in USA has the top quality stuff, but it's expensive and you have to pay the shipping. I don't know where to get this quality anywhere else, so there I go, anyway.
You just need a 6-pin to 9-pin cable or adapter (sometimes misleadingly called "gender changer").
Granite Digital in USA has the top quality stuff, but it's expensive and you have to pay the shipping. I don't know where to get this quality anywhere else, so there I go, anyway.
They could easily have differentiated the two by providing FireWire 400 on the MacBook and two FireWire 800 ports on the MacBook Pro.
I can't wait until MWSF to find out whether they'll realise how stupid they were in doing this and rectify it.
I can't wait until MWSF to find out whether they'll realise how stupid they were in doing this and rectify it.
UK, so the Apple Store in London is selling loads of external hard drives that need firewire 400 and if I want to use them on a new Macbook I have to buy an expensive adapter (can't see anything on Granite Digital's site to say they even ship to the UK, much less what it costs but thank for the link) Then pay huge UK tax on the huge FedEx shipping fee.
Not seeing the upside here and feeling better about my dodgy Nvidea 8600 graphics card every day.
As long as that outrage actually makes it to http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html where it can make a difference.
RHD said:
If by "expensive adapter" he means a MacBook Pro to use with the FW drive then share it over Ethernet back to the MacBook, then yes, he may be correct.
Feedback sent. I was a little lazy to do so until you linked to it.As long as that outrage actually makes it to http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html where it can make a difference.
As long as that outrage actually makes it to http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html where it can make a difference.
I put mine in.
Not that it will change anything for the next revision, but I sent my note of dissatisfaction anyways.