Users - Please Tell Apple to Keep/Put Back In Firewire

[iToaster]

Look at it this way, say I'm a not-so-rich student, a pro who likes a smaller laptop, or just someone who uses FireWire... now, why do I have to buy a $2000 laptop just to use a port that's been on pretty much every Apple computer made since 2001? FireWire would be pretty easy to stick on a MacBook, just extend the logic board out a little and make a hole in the case (they did it with the MBP and FW800). It'd make many people happier, myself included.


And yes, I did fill out the form.

 

[neiltc13]

I have a Macbbok and use firewire regularly - everyone else I know with a Macbook uses firewire regularly.

If you don't know what your talking about, best you don't bother posting.

You're very much in the minority of MacBook users there. Trust me - these machines are sold by the truckload to people who only want to write essays and play music.

If you are in any way serious about video editing then this is not the machine for you.

 

[logicsuggests]

How many times people?

MacBook no longer has FireWire because the people who buy MacBooks do not use FireWire! How hard is this to comprehend? This is a machine marketed almost entirely to students writing essays and listening to music - where does FireWire come into that equation?

And before anyone says "but the MacBook Pro had FW800 reinstated!" just remember that the people who buy Pro are vastly different to the people who buy MacBook.

I'm not paying over $2000au to use notepad and listen to an mp3.
The amount of people not happy about the lack of fire wire proves that there was a legitimate use for the macbook and it's smaller form factor. Apple has cut that in an attempt to justify the price of a macbook pro, and people aren’t buying their ********.

I've said it many times before, you don't need a macbook pro just to prove you're a professional, there is NO NEED to spend the extra money on a pro machine for audio editing/recording when people want small laptop for portability.

 

[rdowns]

Enough with the Firewire crap already. Apple made a choice and it's not going to change. Do you really think they are going to add back Firewire, which would require they re-do the case to allow for a port cutout and re-do the motherboard to add the chipset? Come on.

I bought a MB. Would I have liked FW, sure. I have an external HD that uses it. The biggest pain in the ass was searching for a USB cable to use it that way.

 

[ibrahima]

redesigning the macbook aside - firewire by the backdoor (i.e. supporting cat5e firewire) would be a pretty desirable compromise.

It'd probably be a hassle to update current macbooks to provide s800t on the existing gigabit ethernet port, and it would be yet another cable converter to buy, but it would tick everyone's box more or less (those who need an ethernet connection and firewire would probably still be disadvantaged and it would lead to the question; why bother having firewire 800 ports at all?)

this seems like the only likely compromise from apple, I really hope it could happen.

 

[Stratus Fear]

They just DID!!!

Really? I hadn't noticed!

The point wasn't that they should, but if there was going to be FW again they'd have to change the design.

 

[gkarris]

Users - Please Tell Apple to Keep/Put Back In Firewire

For those who don't know or who haven't already done so.

I know we moan here about what Apple is doing with Firewire.

Please tell them (politely) to add it back in the MacBooks (probably the next revision next year sometime, around graduation usually). State why (like you use it with your audio or video equipment).

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

Thanks...

 

[dinaluvsApple]

For those who don't know or who haven't already done so.

I know we moan here about what Apple is doing with Firewire.

Please tell them (politely) to add it back in the MacBooks (probably the next revision next year sometime, around graduation usually). State why (like you use it with your audio or video equipment).

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

Thanks...

or u can buy a macbook pro.

 

[Eidorian]

or u can buy a macbook pro.

Can you pay the difference for me then?

I make money off my FireWire Canopus ADVC 110 by converting tapes to DVD for my peers. Can you reimburse me for that as well since it works right now on my MacBook just fine.

I've already told Apple how I feel about FireWire.

 

[det2004]

Can you pay the difference for me then?

I make money off my FireWire Canopus ADVC 110 by converting tapes to DVD for my peers. Can you reimburse me for that as well since it works right now on my MacBook just fine.

I've already told Apple how I feel about FireWire.

So, just keep your current macbook. nbd.

 

[Eidorian]

So, just keep your current macbook. nbd.

What do I do when I want to replace it or it's out of warranty?

There's this fun little program called WinDV that makes buying another Mac moot if I really have to go that far.

 

[det2004]

What do I do when I want to replace it or it's out of warranty?

There's this fun little program called WinDV that makes buying another Mac moot if I really have to go that far.

http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/

 

[Eidorian]

http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/

You're telling me to replace my current MacBook 2.2 GHz with a "new" 2.1 GHz Penryn one?

How is that an improvement again or new hardware? Are you going to point me to a refurbished MacBook Pro next?

 

[gkarris]

http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/

Speculation: Apple has the WhiteBook for left-over parts. When they run out, they will have a $1099 Aluminum model. No more Firewire...

 

[Vulcan]

This really had me laughing...

Source: http://store.apple.com/us-hed/browse/campaigns/new_to_mac?mco=NzY2NzM0

Almost any device that connects to a computer via USB, FireWire, audio cable, or Bluetooth will work with a Mac. For example, the Mac includes support for over 2000 of the most popular printers from Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark, and others. And a Mac is smart enough to know what to do when you plug in your digital camera: It opens iPhoto and asks if you want to import your recent photos.

If you have questions about a specific peripheral or accessory, visit the manufacturer’s website to find out about Mac compatibility.

Read Switch 101: Connect Your Peripherals

 

[det2004]

You're telling me to replace my current MacBook 2.2 GHz with a "new" 2.1 GHz Penryn one?

How is that an improvement again or new hardware? Are you going to point me to a refurbished MacBook Pro next?

So go buy a pc, I really don't care....Just sick of everybody whining about firewire this and firewire that, and saying that users should "demand" that apple put firewire back in. If you don't like a product "don't buy it", rarely are consumers happy with every aspect of a product.

Besides, I'm sure if there aren't already usb/firewire adapters out there now, there will be.

 

[cube]

You're telling me to replace my current MacBook 2.2 GHz with a "new" 2.1 GHz Penryn one?

Doesn't it have more cache? That would be more important than losing 100 MHz.

Is your CPU 65nm and the new one 45nm? That could bring power and thermal benefits.

 

[Eidorian]

So go buy a pc, I really don't care....Just sick of everybody whining about firewire this and firewire that, and saying that users should "demand" that apple put firewire back in.

I believe this thread isn't for you then. I'm looking at PC options but I don't expect on buying a notebook until Nehalem is out.

If you don't like a product "don't buy it", rarely are consumers happy with every aspect of a product.

Apple doesn't want my money anymore. That's not a problem for me.

Besides, I'm sure if there aren't already usb/firewire adapters out there now, there will be.

They're completely incompatible protocols.

Doesn't it have more cache? That would be more important than losing 100 MHz.

Is your CPU 65nm and the new one 45nm? That could bring power and thermal benefits.

The 2.1 GHz processor has 3 MB of L2 Cache vs. the 4 MB in my current processor. It is 45nm and cooler but it is a step down in performance when I have a perfectly fine Macbook for now.

 

[flopticalcube]

Besides, I'm sure if there aren't already usb/firewire adapters out there now, there will be.

Not physically possible as even USB 2.0 cannot maintain the throughput of FW400.

Apple doesn't want my money anymore.

+1. My next notebook may end up being a hackintosh.

 

[gkarris]

So go buy a pc, I really don't care....Just sick of everybody whining about firewire this and firewire that, and saying that users should "demand" that apple put firewire back in. If you don't like a product "don't buy it", rarely are consumers happy with every aspect of a product.

Ever try video capture and editing on a Dell?

I'm sure if there aren't already usb/firewire adapters out there now, there will be.

Not really feasible - the transfer protocols and speeds are too different for anyone to really bother with creating a box for it.

If you don't like a product "don't buy it", rarely are consumers happy with every aspect of a product.

I think if enough people ask, Apple will respond. I used the link above a while back to ask for a "Phone-less iPhone"...

 

[det2004]

usb/firewire hubs

 

[cube]

Not physically possible as even USB 2.0 cannot maintain the throughput of FW400.

USB shouldn't be the way. The MacBook has gigabit ethernet. In a similar but worse way, at some point it appeared an ethernet (100Mbps) /USB 2.0 bridge for Windows.

I have a FireWire/UltraSCSI (20MB/s) adapter which costs over $100 and a USB 1.1/serial adapter (both for Mac).

I'm not saying it would be any good for realtime stuff.

 

[kkat69]

I think if enough people ask, Apple will respond. I used the link above a while back to ask for a "Phone-less iPhone"...

They've already responded. People need to get over it and if/when it's time to upgrade, deal with it then.

Damn, most of the people b!tching about it sound like my 5yr old whining.

 

[HLdan]

The OP may get annoyed at my post but his post is purely a selfish one. He wants the forum to request to add FireWire in the next revision because that's when he will be purchasing one. Well I just bought my new aluminum Macbook and could care less about the FireWire so I have no interest in pleading with Apple to add it in after I've already made my purchase nor I am going to do it for someone else's selfish request. Buy a Macbook Pro. If you don't have the money then buy a refurb, an older model or buy a cheaper Windows machine.

 

[flopticalcube]

usb/firewire hubs

Those don't do any conversions. They simply house two hubs in one housing.

USB shouldn't be the way. The MacBook has gigabit ethernet. In a similar but worse way, at some point it appeared an ethernet (100Mbps) /USB 2.0 bridge for Windows.

I have a FireWire/UltraSCSI (20MB/s) adapter and a USB 1.1/serial adapter (both for Mac).

I'm not saying it would be any good for realtime stuff.

Serial <<<< USB1
UltraSCSI <<<< FW400
But FW400 is usually faster than USB2.0, so the conversion doesn't work in that direction.