Steve Jobs on Lack of Firewire in MacBooks

[dizzy13]

Honestly, dizzy13, do you have nothing better to do with your time than run around in circles on this particular forum continuously telling people to stop whining about something that you, by your own admission, do not care about? Take your own advice and go do something productive. We really cannot fathom why you keep staying around just to whine about something you don't care about.

And by the way, if almost 15 thousand signatures showing up on a petition in less than two weeks isn't enough for you to understand that a feature is important, you either aren't very bright or you think you are more important than at least 15 thousand other people. Neither quality is a very attractive trait when interacting with others.

Yeah, I do have better stuff to do, but it was Friday and I was killing time so I got a little post happy...sorry about that. Honestly though you should thank me b/c then everyone can gang up on me and it starts quite a lively discussion. If I wasn't here then this thread would be incredibly dull. Not sure why everyone thinks I'm dumb for pointing out the obvious that you will not see FW on the macbooks. I was just trying to get a discussion going about backup plans. So instead of saying we want FW over and over, which you know isn't going to happen, you guys should be discussing what your other options are. Buy a PC, hack a PC to run macOS, buy a old macbook pro at a discount, etc, etc.

And again, 15k, 20k, 50k, won't impress me much b/c that is still like 1% of the macbook sales. Yes, it seems like a big number and it is, but in terms of big business it's not even a blip on the radar. When there are 250k-500k on that petition then I'll admit I was wrong, but until then we will have to agree to disagree.

Also, it is nice as the other person said that you got your point across without being a retard which is really awesome. I don't mind disagreeing with people, but when it gets childish (like it does 99% of the time on the internet) it just is pointless.

To end this post with good news I will busy ALL DAY tomorrow going to the UM game so enjoy the silence

 

[SuperBrown]

Target Disk saved my butt...

So last week after seeing that the new macbooks lacked firewire, I opted to buy a previous generation MacBook Pro for a nicely reduced price. I wanted to upgrade from my iBook G4 1.0Ghz, and it was either the new MB or the MBP I purchased.

TODAY my iBook decided to keel over...with a bunch of files I had yet to back-up! For some reason it would no longer go past the blue screen with the grayed out apple logo during start up. Tried a bunch of things, and nothing. LUCKILY, I used Target Disk and was able to connect to the iBook's hard drive from my new MBP and retrieve my files USING FIREWIRE!!

Had I gotten a new MB w/o firewire, it probably would've been a bigger hassle.

Lesson: BAD move getting rid of firewire, apple.

On a good note (to those who might share my opinion), I applaud Apple announcing they are against Prop 8. Made me proud to be a Mac user. Way to go !

 

[editguy]

Buy a PC, hack a PC to run macOS, buy a old macbook pro at a discount, etc, etc.

Can't run Motion and DVDSP on a PC, I don't have time to mess around tweaking a hack, and an old MBP is just that: old.

And again, 15k, 20k, 50k, won't impress me much b/c that is still like 1% of the macbook sales. Yes, it seems like a big number and it is, but in terms of big business it's not even a blip on the radar. When there are 250k-500k on that petition then I'll admit I was wrong, but until then we will have to agree to disagree.
p

So, in your world potentially 15 million+ dollars is just a blip? I don't think shareholders would agree with you.

 

[Dark Fiber]

Important

I have just sent the following to http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html:
"..."
I cannot overemphasize the importance of complaining to _Apple_, both by feedback and in person at Applestores, for there to be any hope of reversing this stupid omission.

Apologies for self-quoting, but please address complaints to Apple as well as signing the online petition. The latter will, hopefully, attract press and other media attention, but Apple must not be able to respond with "that's not what our customer feedback is telling us".

 

[Shagrat]

Apologies for self-quoting, but please address complaints to Apple as well as signing the online petition. The latter will, hopefully, attract press and other media attention, but Apple must not be able to respond with "that's not what our customer feedback is telling us".

I have sent feedback to the same site, and i think that all of us Whiners who want FW re-instating on MBs should do the same.

 

[AnalyzeThis]

Just post your anger to MacBook Feedback

Apologies for self-quoting, but please address complaints to Apple as well as signing the online petition. The latter will, hopefully, attract press and other media attention, but Apple must not be able to respond with "that's not what our customer feedback is telling us".

I would agree, dropping FW fromk MacBook was one of the very foolish and costly mistakes Apple ever made.

Folks, just keep hammering MacBook Feedback page. Apple is known for backing from foolish mistakes.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html

Good luck

 

[headfuzz]

<off topic>

TODAY my iBook decided to keel over...with a bunch of files I had yet to back-up! For some reason it would no longer go past the blue screen with the grayed out apple logo during start up. Tried a bunch of things, and nothing. LUCKILY, I used Target Disk and was able to connect to the iBook's hard drive from my new MBP and retrieve my files USING FIREWIRE!!

Had I gotten a new MB w/o firewire, it probably would've been a bigger hassle.

Lesson: BAD move getting rid of firewire, apple.

Start up the iBook in Target Disk Mode, then run Applications > Utilities > Disc Utility on the Macbook Pro.

Use Repair Disc and then Repair Permissions on the iBook's Firewire mounted disc. That sorts 9 out 10 problems that manifest themselves like yours and the iBook should boot normally after ejecting from TDM and rebooting

</off topic>

 

[kejur]

Is Apple Being Sneaky?

Like millions others, I have firewire external hd's, a firewire digital video camera, old firewire ipods, a firewire scanner, etc. You get the idea. So is Apple forcing folks who want a new Macbook to upgrade ALL there other peripherals or buy a new Macbook Pro instead? Hmmmm? Let's see, what else...I know...Let's reduce the features in the newest version of iMovie and then drop the price of Final Cut Express. Hmmm. Curious. Let's find ways to get consumers to spend even more money and move up into high end apps even though they need help learning the basic ones. Apple, I love ya, but you need to really smooth things out. Fine, I'll end on a positive note....THE NEW MACBOOK PROS ARE GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!

 

[corinhorn]

I would agree, dropping FW fromk MacBook was one of the very foolish and costly mistakes Apple ever made.

Folks, just keep hammering MacBook Feedback page. Apple is known for backing from foolish mistakes.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html

Good luck

Well, I'm not sure how effective it is for the same person to repeatedly send feedback. Apple can track from which IP address feedback is sent. If the same person sends 10 feedback messages a day, it could make us look bitchy. Just a thought.

I've gone to several Apple stores in the past week, began the process of purchasing the MacBook. Before I hand the clerk my credit card, I ask about the ports. Once the absence of FireWire is discovered, I stop the purchase. Most of the Apple store employees agree with the stupidity of dropping FireWire.

 

[ansj64]

Just my two cents worth...

If one can afford to buy a premium priced macbook...for another 400 dollars, one can easily upgrade to the MBP right? ANd it is more economical than having to spend say another 400-1000USD for another camera that will take the USB2 port.

So the only difference for the usual user would really be the size of the notebook then.

I don't think Apple will back down on the firewire anyway....simply because the unibody design has been made already and it is NOT a simple matter of just adding another firewire port (unless there IS room for the port inside that slim case.)

Again, just my opinion. People who are hot tempered need not reply.

 

[j26]

Just my two cents worth...

If one can afford to buy a premium priced macbook...for another 400 dollars, one can easily upgrade to the MBP right?

Just to address this point - Not necessarily. The world is not divided into super rich mac users on one hand and poor Budget PC users on the other.

 

[rijiMacDij]

I've gone to several Apple stores in the past week, began the process of purchasing the MacBook. Before I hand the clerk my credit card, I ask about the ports. Once the absence of FireWire is discovered, I stop the purchase. Most of the Apple store employees agree with the stupidity of dropping FireWire.

Crack me up, I love it, what a way to channel an obsession productively. Long live creative thinking....

 

[sushi]

The more a person claims to know, the less they actually do.

Ok, I want to put it on record:

Good for you.

No, they'll probably just chuckle over clearing out old inventory at new computer prices, and when that's gone so are the white Macbooks.

Maybe. But they might also see that the White version is much more popular and therefore there might be a reason besides cost.

I would agree, dropping FW fromk MacBook was one of the very foolish and costly mistakes Apple ever made.

Folks, just keep hammering MacBook Feedback page. Apple is known for backing from foolish mistakes.

Agree.

We need to let Apple know our preferences.

If we don't, we may see the iMac and Mac Mini go the same route. That would not be good.

FW should be on all of their devices, including the MBA.

Just to address this point - Not necessarily. The world is not divided into super rich mac users on one hand and poor Budget PC users on the other.

Agree.

I save my money so I can afford a nice Mac.

 

[Shanpdx]

Rare Sight - all the macbooks are in top 25 in amazon

may be something related to this thread or may be not

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/pc/565108/ref=pd_ts_pg_1?ie=UTF8&pg=1

all the models (newer and older model in there).

amazon nailed it $1444 is best price for 15" Mac Notebook ...

also different variety of prices

$869 (now $969) - the combo model
$994 - low end super drive model
$1159 - white old model
$1194 - black older model

$1444 - mbp old model
$1644 - super duper mbp old model

and newer alu models

so still there lots of price sensitive customers there ... only apple take this seriously

i still want a affordable 15" macbook (may be with Integrated graphics if thats what takes it to bring it to $1.4k range)

 

[Eric S.]

Just my two cents worth...

If one can afford to buy a premium priced macbook...for another 400 dollars, one can easily upgrade to the MBP right? ANd it is more economical than having to spend say another 400-1000USD for another camera that will take the USB2 port.

So the only difference for the usual user would really be the size of the notebook then.

But the size can be important. I would buy an MBP, but I don't want to carry around a 15" laptop.

I don't think Apple will back down on the firewire anyway....simply because the unibody design has been made already and it is NOT a simple matter of just adding another firewire port (unless there IS room for the port inside that slim case.)

Obviously they can't just hack FireWire into these Macbooks. If they bring it back it will have to be in the next revision. I don't think it would happen until the Nehalem laptops, a year or more from now. But by that time USB 3.0 may be replacing FireWire in Apple's plans.

 

[Freyqq]

no firewire will not be a long-term issue

While it is true and unfortunate that firewire for external hd and most cameras is necessary, and I am unhappy, it is only an issue for about another year.

It is inevitable that, probably about a year from now, USB 3.0 is coming. When it does, it will be faster than firewire and the macbooks of the time will likely support it. So, while it looks bad now, if you hold on to what you have for a year or so the following versions of the macbook will alleviate this issue.

So in sum, while the future of the macbook looks bleak now, if you wait a year the issue will be addressed.

 

[cube]

How will the availability of USB 3.0 fix the compatibility with the FireWire devices that already exist?

No, if they want to put something faster they can add FireWire S3200 about NOW, when the chipsets become available, as the specification is already finished, unlike USB 3.0.

 

[Slurpy2k8]

I'm sorry, but your post makes absolutely no sense.

1. The current macbooks do not include USB3 and will not support USB3, so it's irrelevant. WHen the standard emerges you will need a new notebook to support it anyway.

2. People's current hardware that have firewire will not magically sprout USB3 ports. So again, your point makes no sense. One will need to buy new hardware that supports USB3, on both ends.

People were upset because the macbook will not support their current firewire devices. In this sense, USB3 is irrelevant. Yes, it will be great when it arrives. But no hardware that anyone has right now will take advantage of it.

Trying to justify Apple's decisions is fine, but not when you need to throw all logic out the window to do so.

 

[synth3tik]

do we really need this thread?

to hell with USB3

 

[Freyqq]

the point was suppose to be..wait a year and buy..rather than buy now..but at least longterm a solution is there

 

[cube]

USB 3 will be NO SOLUTION for the lack of FireWire

 

[hogfaninga]

I'm sorry, but your post makes absolutely no sense.

1. The current macbooks do not include USB3 and will not support USB3, so it's irrelevant. WHen the standard emerges you will need a new notebook to support it anyway.

2. People's current hardware that have firewire will not magically sprout USB3 ports. So again, your point makes no sense. One will need to buy new hardware that supports USB3, on both ends.

People were upset because the macbook will not support their current firewire devices. In this sense, USB3 is irrelevant. Yes, it will be great when it arrives. But no hardware that anyone has right now will take advantage of it.

Trying to justify Apple's decisions is fine, but not when you need to throw all logic out the window to do so.

Some people will defend whatever decisions Apple makes. They are like puppets and Jobs is the one pulling the strings.

With all do respect to the OP, this thread makes no sense b/c of what the guy I quoted said, along with the common sense that says USB 3 is no solution like another poster said.

It was dumb for Apple to not include FW. Some will say they don't need it. Great, but there are features on anything I buy I don't need. FW is needed by many. I think many of the people who are bashing people who say Apple messed up are doing so b/c they own the new ones and don't want to see their precious new machine bashed.

 

[Skeletal-dæmon]

But but but I likes FireWire!

Not to mention I use it for my camcorder. And my external hard drive. And my aging cassette network backup drive (3TB tapes... man they're slow). And my digital camera (okay yeah thats has USB).

USB packets everything whilst FireWire allows for a constant stream of info which is why video products use it. And will continue to use it. I really don't know why Apple dropped it other than to save motherboard space.

However I'm sure Engadget mentioned an ethernet-to-FireWire conversion adapter. Fortunately the MacBook still has an ethernet jack. We may still have hope...

 

[cube]

I have a slow FireWire/UltraSCSI converter supporting only 1 connected device and it costs over $100.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

While it is true and unfortunate that firewire for external hd and most cameras is necessary, and I am unhappy, it is only an issue for about another year.

It is inevitable that, probably about a year from now, USB 3.0 is coming. When it does, it will be faster than firewire and the macbooks of the time will likely support it. So, while it looks bad now, if you hold on to what you have for a year or so the following versions of the macbook will alleviate this issue.

So in sum, while the future of the macbook looks bleak now, if you wait a year the issue will be addressed.

USB 3.0 still cannot replace firewire. As firewire is constantly streaming data, something that is required for many live recording set ups (music/film). No matter how fast USB 3.0 is it still only transfers data in bursts --Thus it cannot keep a steady stream like firewire can.