It's so funny how we come to apple's defence on their not giving consumers choices (on the USB issue). i read the argument that they didn't have the space to do it: shoot, just take out USB 1.1, 2 is backwards compatible. there is no space adjustment. and even if there were, this is apple, not some third-rate PC manufacture whose designers graduated with 2.0 GPAs and just BAs. they're sharp people up there at cupertino. they can do whatever they want, from a design standpoint. of course USB 2.0 is more expensive than 1.1. that doesn't stop them from putting Gb ethernet on their laptops and desktops. that's more expensive, and i am sure all of 1% of powerbook users actually employ Gb ethernet. it's cool, very cool, but shoot, you know how much you have to drop for a Gb ethernet switch? i don't think i have ever seen one other than expensive mission critical types. and here we have USB 2, which honestly is a pretty good nascent technology with more than adequate hardware supporting it. i have that canoscan Lide 30. there's no way in hell i am ever going to be able to afford a FW scanner. 300$ for a scanner is outrageous for me. i can certainly see how it would be helpful.
particularly, as has been mentioned, on the AlBook/12"s. my god, they advertised it with a photographer. i KNOW there are plenty of USB 2 cameras. and i KNOW USB 2 is far far better than 1.1. who cares if it's worse than firwire of any grade?
There was a good point made: apple can't put EVERYTHING on their computers, for practical and pecuniary reasons. that's exactly right. but while it's easily argued that consumers can get a peripheral of any type (almost) for (almost) any standard (barring, significantly, FW mice, and fruity-sounding stuff like that), why should apple limit users' options senselessly? i mean, even if there are plenty of options in the firewire world, why cut off the USB 2 ones? and don't start with that "you can buy more hardware to add it. that's a) not always the case and b) not part of apple philosophy IMO. I certainly bought this powerbook i have in large part so i wouldn't need to go out and buy a bulging wireless card, or any wireless card for that matter, or an ethernet card, or any other extra stuff. apple, when compared with the PC world. is really vain about its hardware, and looking at steve showing me the new powerbooks really demonstrated why this is so. I've heard people complain about how there are no official docking stations for powerbooks... after 2 months, i ask, why? this has been the most pleasant computing experience i have ever had, just setting it on my lap and working hours and hours and hours on it. docking station? that's for oil-tanker PC laptops. when we buy computers, they should be self-sufficient to at least a very large extent. don't diss USB 2!
about that comment on Apple vs. Intel and FW vs. USB. sure, intel may be doing FW now, developing for it and what not. SO WHAT? that doesn't mean that APPLE isn't being vain about its own FW and avoiding what it may/may not see as potential competition in USB 2. there are a lot of issues raised by USB 2, and they could all be quelled by adding it to new computers. hell, we have bluetooth on the new PBs. it's coming, and it's not nearly as "in" as USB 2. grrr this issue is psychotic.
the point is, can't we all admit that, no, many of us are never going to use USB 2, just as many of us are never going to use FW. shoot, some of us just use word and the internet, not using any peripherals of any type. and they have to pay for an apple computer that tailors to you folks that use FW--that costs them a lot more money, trust me. can't you spare a little for the plenty of people (but not you, of course) who will use USB 2? they're out there.
