Steve Jobs on Lack of Firewire in MacBooks

[Flobber88]

Bs

It still doesn't make sense... FW 400 isn't done yet, whatever Apple may think. sure, in time USB 3.0 etc could take precedence but FW is still going strong. They could have at least offered 800 (and maybe 3200 on the MBP) so people still have a means of connecting their camcorder or whatever.

This is like removing the optical disc from their current line up, eventually it may die, but right now it still has a large use.

 

[handcraft]

I don't get what the big deal is. If you need Firewire, just buy the white MacBook. It's even cheaper than any other option. Or just buy a USB to Firewire adapter.

I think it is the precedent it sets for future Mac that concerns people.

 

[eXan]

SJ is right. But my cam is a miniDV and all it has is firewire. I don't really understand their reasoning to remove FW - new MB has a ton of space to spare and it can't be very expensive...

They just needed something else besides GPU to differentiate MB from MBP line.

 

[Compile 'em all]

I guess my major question is: is what Steve says true?

I have a mini-DV cam from the late 90s that only has firewire, so I honestly don't know....

few = 3-9.

yeah, i just made that up!

 

[Le Big Mac]

Classic Steve... so matter-of-fact that we only need USB 2. Apple is the Socialism of computer companies.

-Clive

Maybe he's pissy because 6 years ago he was saying that no one needs USB 2 because Firewire is so much better.

 

[Brother Michael]

whether or not you agree or even care about the decision to remove FW400 from the MacBook, that is a terrible response to this situation.

 

[Bubba Satori]

That's a pretty piss poor rationalization. There are tons of existing FW peripherals on the market, and not just camcorders. And what about Firewire Target Mode? I still use that with my Macbook when I want to copy a large number of files to or from it--much faster than using my network. And I have several external FW drives.

Of all the ways Apple could have sought to differentiate the Macbook from the Macbook Pro, I'm very disappointed that FW got the axe. There will be no replacement Macbook in my future now.

..Al

Yes and I'll need to ask all my customers interested in the MB if they have any firewire peripherals that they want to continue using.

 

[Pandaboots]

I think Apple's customers deserve to know why such a simple port was left out of their most popular and best-selling notebook computer. Firewire is not a pro option, I'm sorry. Maybe Apple's next entry is into the video camera business with USB2 connector only (cable sold separately).

btw - glass can be made to be clear without being glossy...

 

[Le Big Mac]

Or just buy a USB to Firewire adapter.

Help me find one.

 

[Le Big Mac]

I think it is the precedent it sets for future Mac that concerns people.

+1. Time to buy an iMac.

 

[editguy]

Steve is dead wrong. He's actually full of crap if he really said that and it means he has no clue about video. Only cheap consumer level HD camcorders use USB. The quality HD camcorders offer firewire and some include hdmi.

If this is the trend at Apple, I will be moving exclusively to PC laptops where I can find units with all the ports I need in a form factor that meets my needs, not Apples.

 

[slu]

I don't get what the big deal is. If you need Firewire, just buy the white MacBook. It's even cheaper than any other option. Or just buy a USB to Firewire adapter.

I am so sick of this. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A USB TO FIRWIRE ADAPTER!

I think Steve's answer stinks. So I am expected to buy a new camera every two years? But this answer does seem, to me, to indicate that it ain't coming back.

Which is why I bought a new white Macbook yesterday. I got one of the previous revision "superdrive" white Macbooks on close out from the University Computer Store where I work for $899, with a free printer! Refurb price is $1049, so I actually won because of this fiasco, but not everyone has access to these kinds of deals.

 

[azentropy]

Steve says: eat cake!

 

[Chrisedmo]

Please sign this petition, if you're p*ssed off about dropping the firewire from the MacBook..

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/MB1394/petition.html

 

[Maury]

I'm curious to see if we'll get another response from him on the Matte option. (Sorry to bring it up again)

A friend of mine recently purchased a Dell laptop so he could run Excel - he needs VBA. It had a glossy screen, and after trying it for a few days, has given up in disgust, finding it unable to be used except in cases of highly indirect light.

We went out last night looking for a machine with a matte screen. The only ones we found were last-model MacBook Pros.

So I'm not sure there's anything Apple can do about this, it appears all LCD's now come with glossy screens. True for desktop monitors as well.

Maury

 

[swheelers]

i agree with rulesaremyenemy. what about target disk mode and transferring files from an old mac to the new macbook? without firewire, what are you to do?

 

[andiwm2003]

ok, firewire is on the way out. sad but probably can't be canged.

but what is next: USB 3.0? when will thaty be available in consumer MB's?

right now everybody still can buy a firewire mac that will last for another 3 years to protect their investments. adter that i guess most of the equipment will use either USB2.0 or something new like USB3.0.

 

[gabefung]

*deleted*

 

[Courtaj]

Actually, all of the new HD camcorders of the past few years use USB 2

Actually, that's misinformed if not willfully arrogant.

 

[Arcady]

just buy a USB to Firewire adapter.

There's no such thing.

 

[unity]

Oh...

Not to sound like an arse, but everyone here complaining had planned on buying THIS MacBook? What was wrong with the prior version? No one REMOVED FireWire from your current setup.

Of course if your serious about video editing and importing on the road you would get a MacBook Pro.

Or is this another case of "Well in all honesty I was not going to buy one, I just like to complain."

Sorry guys, but I see this all to often. Remember that the consumer end did not have FireWire til MUCH later in the game.

Also keep in mind that $400 IS $400 dollars, but not a whole lot when you consider the MacBook over a MacBook Pro which will not ONLY have FireWire but ALSO twin video cards - you know, for all you "serious" video editors. And lets not forget a 15" screen over the MacBook's 13" screen. Something else most video guys seem to want.....

So, to put it bluntly if you are this serious about the video thing and can pony up the cash for a DV camera with firewire, spend $400 more for the better machine with FireWire or just pick up the prior model.

Ok, done with rant...

 

[bondjw07]

I'm pretty sure they did this so that there is now a distinct reason to get the MacBookPro over the MacBook. If it wasn't for that, I would seriously be thinking about getting a MacBook instead. I'm sure this will help the "Pro Users" decide to stay with the higher end models.

 

[iSee]

Firewire is dying, but

Look, we all know firewire is better than USB 2.0, but it lost the war, at least in the consumer market.

So I can understand why Apple, the company that has done more than any other to promote Firewire, has given up on it.

But would it really kill them to keep firewire on their MBs? Are they really going to lose more money on that one extra port than they will in ill-will and lost sales because it's not their?

 

[Maury]

So he thinks it is OK to expect people to throw away their perfectly fine FireWire camcorders and spend money on a USB 2 one for no advantage of theirs, in this economy?

You're complaining that you can't throw away your perfectly fine laptop because that means you'd have to throw away your perfectly fine camcorder?

And somehow this means Apple is mean and out of touch?

duh.

Maury

 

[AtariAge]

Help me find one.

Even if such a thing did exist, it would be considerably slower than having a native FW400 (or 800!) port in the machine, and STILL would not support Firewire Target Mode.

..Al