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pure speculation

To be sure, the arstechnica writer is just guessing, not claiming that he has inside information. Making something up is speculation, not rumor.
 
it might be a very smart move to eliminate firewire from the Macbook because this would force many professionals and other users who need it to buy the Macbook Pro.
 
if they gave me a third USB port, I'm fine with that. I would only use the firewire port with my old iPod (though I also have an USB cable for it.). But would be said for the musicians. Maybe they want to force people to buy MB Pros. But maybe it's also true about the Gigabyte Ethernet..still I think the Firewire (especially the faster 800) is still good to have. I don't have it and I don't need it as a consumer at the moment.

Time will tell, I am so curious about the iPhone 2, MacBook redesigns and even a new iPod line up would be cool. I just wait and hope.
 
I am glad this is only speculation. I would be disappointed if the new one didn't support firewire. I couldn't transfer from my camera. I was planning on buying a large capacity external hard drive for back-ups. Probably a good idea to wait until the refresh, because I may not need the firewire capability.

Glenn
 
No way will they remove FW. As anyone who has booted off an external drive can tell you, FW >>>>>>>>>> USB. Even FW400.

I can contradict this.

I own an external HD (Seagate) and using off a USB. It works like a charm.

But really, I would not like to see FW disappear though, since I use them for live streaming and recording on my video camcorder.
 
Rid of Firewire? If anything I'd give up all my USB devices and use Firewire/eSATA exclusively.
 
Apple would be VERY stupid to do this, and i think lose a lot of customers

I don't think they would use so man customers. It's not like "one port to rule them all" :D.
People just will get used to it when they are forced having no Firewire anymore. I am not using my Mac because of its ports (could be a bit better on current MacBooks anyway), I am using it because of the OS!
 
I could see them doing it. They dropped it on the MacBook Air and the iPod. For most people who use the MacBook I doubt they ever use firewire. I only used it a few times on my MBP.
 
I could see them doing it. They dropped it on the MacBook Air and the iPod. For most people who use the MacBook I doubt they ever use firewire. I only used it a few times on my MBP.

They dropped it on those because the FireWire controller is massive for small devices. I don't see Apple going much smaller on the MB or the MBP so it doesn't make much sense until there are comparable connections available.
 
no firewire means no MB for me. it's bad enough that there is no express card slot and no esata.

of course if they had a dock it would be all ok. and if USB 3.0 is in there there might be adaptors that replace firewire.

let's see, in a couple of weeks we know more.
 
I for one would not be a happy camper if they eliminate FW from the macbook. I depend on its speed for using time machine. Not interested in doing that with USB or wireless. Unless there's a new usb at a much higher speed.

Fingers crossed this doesn't happen here. :eek:

USB 3.0, and why do you care? It's not like they're going to come to your house and remove it from your current mac. And by the time they axe firewire, USB 3 will be out which is waaay faster.
 
USB 3.0, and why do you care? It's not like they're going to come to your house and remove it from your current mac. And by the time they axe firewire, USB 3 will be out which is waaay faster.

But the question is whether or not FW1600 or FW3200 is out by then and continues to beat USB3 in actual speed...
 
How do you target disk mode w/o Firewire? They can't get rid of it! I can see that they'd want to broaden the gap between entry level machines and the pro ones, to motivate people to drop cash on the high-end models. But pulling firewire out is just too much.
 
But the question is whether or not FW1600 or FW3200 is out by then and continues to beat USB3 in actual speed...

I was under the impression that FW1600 is quite a bit slower (theoretically at least) than USB 3.0. This just reminds me of the whole BluRay Vs. HD DVD thing. Why have both when either one does the job just fine.

As for Target Disk Mode, can't that be accomplished with some modifications to the Ethernet ports or USB ports?
 
Hopefully, a change to a metal case will also bring about more color options as seen with the iPod Nano/Shuffle line. Even if it's just the top case panel, anything will be better than the current limitation of black or white.
 
I must say that I have found Firewire400 to be more reliable than USB 2.0 when it comes to maintaining transfer speeds. Even though the USB is rated to provide higher speed than FW400, I have noticed a lot of speed fluctuations with USB.

I am very happy with FW400, and would be seriously ticked if they dropped it.
 
I heard a rumor that Apple is upscaling again and will be dropping the MacBooks altogether. People need to upgrade to the MacBook Air...

Mini users will be needing to upgrade to the Mac Pro....

I'm also hearing that Apple will be dropping FW, Ethernet, and Optical Drives - they're all over-rated....

:D
 
and i never said you said there was FW 800 in the macbooks. There was never anyway FW800 would make it into the MacBooks.
You need to reword your sentences, its misleading.


i dont remember saying USB was >> FW anywhere in my post
Yes you did by saying that usb is a contender.. which imho cant even compete with fw400.


meaning it will still move your data from A to B even though at a slower rate compared to FW
exactly why fw 400/800 is needed.

It would seem for Apple USB is sufficient in a consumer notebook. Thats if they actually kill FW its all speculation at this point
I dont think usb for moving big files is sufficient enough. Especially when the macbooks already have fw400 for a consumer notebook, why take that away? Even though its speculation it seems more than just speculation at this point (if aluminum, led backlighting is true I'm sure the no fw would hold true as well) and I wouldnt be surprised if the newer macbooks come without any fw.
 
You need to reword your sentences, its misleading.


Yes you did by saying that usb is a contender.. which imho cant even compete with fw400.


exactly why fw 400/800 is needed.

I dont think usb for moving big files is sufficient enough. Especially when the macbooks already have fw400 for a consumer notebook, why take that away? Even though its speculation it seems more than just speculation at this point (if aluminum, led backlighting is true I'm sure the no fw would hold true as well) and I wouldnt be surprised if the newer macbooks come without any fw.

Ookayy chief
 
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