MacBook: the abolition of FireWire is not happy
Tuesday October 14, Apple has extended its range of laptops MacBook and MacBook Pro. And that renewal has been noticed, but not always for the reasons one might think. Yes the new design was generally as successful, and those who had to buy a MacBook probably will rejoice the transition to aluminum. Others have seen against a large vacuum: the left by the FireWire.
Apple’s decision to remove the FireWire port 400 of its laptops. Only remains a FireWire 800 port on the MacBook Pro, the latter making the resistance. A user named David, sent an email to Steve Jobs whose address never been hidden. In this letter, he said he regularly recommended the MacBook before, but now, rather it directs machines to Dell or Sony. Why? Precisely because of the lack of FireWire 400.
The reaction may seem a little excessive, but the David in question was based primarily on the use of digital camcorders where FireWire is preferable. But Steve Jobs responded, and it is a simple observation: “In fact, all new HD digital camcorders in recent years using USB 2.0. Of course, but the speed is not the same. Nothing confirms that the letter, published by Apple Insider is genuine, but that Jobs has responded or not does not change much the situation.
Passage forced to USB 2.0, but still only two ports
Indeed, even the USB 2.0 would be present on the HD camcorders, is to put aside various elements other than the simple transfer speed, superior on FireWire. For example, Apple introduced this connection interface about ten years ago and has since provided a large number of machines. Mac users are largely surrounded by various devices using FireWire, including video devices, external hard drives or sound cards for specialized professionals. In case of buying a new laptop from Apple, it will seriously review the remainder of his installation, but not FireWire 800, MacBook Pro that will truly level, although it can develop an adapter.
For those who troubleshoot and / or administer Mac at home or in their business, the disappearance of FireWire 400 also means the end of the target mode. With any Mac with a FireWire 400 port, it is possible to connect to another Mac that then read the contents of the first hard disk as if it were an external hard drive, all with a simple cable. Very useful for transferring data, for example when a computer will not boot. Now it will do without, since the method is not compatible with USB 2.0. Steve Jobs probably meet that need is an external hard drive connected to USB 2.0 Mac with Time Machine enabled.
The problem was partly offset if the number of USB 2.0 ports had increased, but not if it remains limited to two. In fact, those who want to buy a MacBook with a FireWire 400 port have more than the white model sold 949 euros, since it is a former model who has not yet been “crippled”. The discussions around the subject are heated, some users feel “abandoned” by a brand they follow for a long time.
Less polluting materials from Apple, but we must redeem any
From an environment, we note that neither the disappearance of FireWire 400 nor the DVI in favor of DisplayPort are positive. Found on the blog Create Digital Motion a very interesting article on the topic, with commentaries relatively rich. Some wonder so in a context where Apple does more than ecology, we must consider how the decisions necessary to redeem all or part of the equipment.
Finally, those who want to buy a MacBook Pro have normal or little solutions: either they buy their equipment with USB 2.0 or FireWire 800 as appropriate, or they want to preserve the existing and are forced to buy a MacBook Pro with an adapter. The pill is struggling to pass for those who did not wish to spend more than 1200 euros for example. It would be too easy simply to say “Buy a PC, because a Mac user who al’ensemble its data and software projects in Mac OS X will not be happy.
Finally, as appropriate, he will need to wait.
