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Farewell FireWire?

by Christina Warren Oct 15th 2008 at 3:45PM

During the meta-liveblog yesterday, I was in full-out Apple fangirl mode. I won't lie; after the MacBook specs and design were revealed, I was already contemplating putting my current BlackBook (that I bought in August '07) on eBay or Craig's List, hoping that the RAM and hard drive upgrades and all the software I would include could net at least $900. Then I would buy a new MacBook.

After the dust settled and the specs were released, a dark cloud quickly dashed my plans: FireWire 400 ports are no longer included in the redesigned MacBook. The old style MacBook (now selling for $999) still includes FireWire 400, but the new beauties are FireWire free. What a bummer! Back in January, we listed lack of FireWire as one of the biggest downsides of the MacBook Air. On our Talkcast earlier this week, we actually discussed the idea of FireWire being withdrawn from the MacBook line. I thought it was plausible on the then-rumored $800 MacBook (a rumor that never materialized, sadly), but I was really, really hoping it wouldn't be removed from the line as a whole.

Whether the reason was based on user-feedback (which I'm sure Apple will claim), or done merely to force a schism between the "consumer" and "pro" lineups (as commenter Kai Cherry suggested), the net result is that a technology Apple has been pushing for nearly 10 years and that many of us have come to rely on, for external devices, target-disk mode and digital video needs, is no longer available in any laptop other than the MacBook Pro (or the older generation white MacBook).

No company has pushed IEEE-1394 (the technical name for FireWire) more than Apple (though Sony is close). The iPod was a FireWire device until its fifth revision in 2004 (USB adapters were available for the third and fourth generation units). Target Disk Mode is arguably one of the most useful Mac diagnostic tools. As long as you have a FireWire hard drive, you can safely migrate, repair or perform component tests on Mac, without damaging the internal drive.

As of right now, there is no true support for USB devices in target disk mode. Yes, you can boot from a USB device, but it's not the same as TDM. It's a shame that they are now phasing out this feature, and without a genuine successor. I don't want to start a USB 2.0 vs. FireWire 400 argument, but for sustained transfer, power consumption and the ability to daisy-chain devices, FireWire remains superior, especially under OS X (other operating systems don't benefit from FireWire as much). I mean, if you are going to get rid of FireWire, at least give us an eSATA port. That would at least be a better alternative for external drives than USB 2.0.

While it is true that FireWire-only devices are on a serious decline -- the latest generation of digital camcorders that use AVCHD and store data to SD cards all utilize USB 2.0, as do the vast majority of external devices -- are we really at the point that it is a "pros only" feature? It took years and years for consumers to finally ditch VHS-C and move on to miniDV. Are we already at the point that everyone has migrated to AVCHD and converted all their old footage digitally? Obviously, for existing Mac users who are just buying a new MacBook, this might not be a big deal. Use the iMac or an older MacBook for digital conversion. But this is still a blow to anyone who relies on (or -- shocking -- prefers) FireWire and wants to replace their primary machine.

There are bridge adapters available that will allow you to connect a FireWire device to a USB port, but they are expensive, and Windows XP-only. It is likely that a similar adapter will be created for the Mac, but how these devices will actually perform is questionable.

As a fervent supporter of the standard since 2000 (when I bought an OHCI compliant PCI card for my PC so that I could edit video at home or at school on an iMac DV), I have demanded FireWire support on every computer or laptop that I have purchased in the last 8 years. Buying a laptop without a FireWire port, that I will use as a primary computer, is frankly not an option for me. My next MacBook will have to be a MacBook Pro. And because spending another $1000 is a bit different from spending another $500, I won't be upgrading any time soon.

What are your thoughts? Is a FireWire-free MacBook a deal-breaker for you, or is it something you can live without? Do you know of any devices or cables that will help ease the transition? Sound off in the comments!



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During the meta-liveblog yesterday, I was in full-out Apple fangirl mode. I won't lie; after the MacBook specs and design were revealed,...
 

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Dana Rodden

i bought a macbook two days ago and have been unsuccessfully trying to migrate my G4 files to it even with hours of Apple tech support. Without firewire and target disk mode as an option and problems with the migration system, I have decided to return the device. And who cares if more recent external devices are using USB? i don't like being pressured into replacing cameras, etcetera because of compatibility problems. This decision is a step back for apple and a major disappointment for me. Thanks for the memories Dana

December 20 2008 at 1:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ndc

You are supposed to do what Stevie Jesus Christ Jobs wants you to do and you have been happily doing so for the past 20 years without ever questioning anything, so what are you complaining about now? Just go get that cash out of the bank - given both the bank and the cash still exist - and pass it over to the one and only company that can still turn pure capitalism into something "coool"

November 12 2008 at 4:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pissed off apple fanboy

Im so tired of everyone saying if you want Pro get a MBP. Thats BS. I know guys still editing on G4's WITH firewire.

The macbook lines are so close now that that argument is completely flawed. They are both at the same speed just about, same memory, same enclosure - and if using a 15" means you are "pro" then I guess my daughter using her 15" HP is a pro too.

If you look at most PC lineups these days - almost as a rule the 12" counterpart to the 15" model is in fact CHEAPER. Look how many $400.00 15" laptops there are on dealnews.com lately.

Newsflash apple - at $1600 for a macbook - it should be PRO level. The market has tons of 800 PC Notebook BEASTS - at $1600.00 you should offer something PRO.

Anyone "pro" is going to hook up a 22" or 24" screen - when they are are working so you cant call a 2" size increase "pro"

The removal of Firewire was purely to gouge audio and video guys like myself and just a bad move to the creative groups who have supported apple through thick and thin into buying essentially the same product at a premium.

I see no point in paying an extra 500 bucks for the same device that basically has a firewire port and Im going to do my best not to support this change by sticking with the older Macbook lines until they become sensible again.

Theres an entire group of DJ's and other performers that have been using MacBooks exclusively - and anyone with half a brain realizes that FW400 is the better option.


DEAL BREAKER APPLE!

October 25 2008 at 1:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
oj

deal breaker. This is very disapponting of apple. They used to give more functionality in upgrades. Now they're taking things out. Many people rely on FireWire. Not only pros. Many consumer video cams use it. As many others have said-iMovie. And audio recording. And many people want portabilty over having the top specs but need mid level performance. I was waiting for this upgrade but without FireWire they lose my business. Not to mention my advocacy of apple to my customers. They need to put it back in. Everyone needs to write their complaints on this to apple. Whether or not u need FireWire. I hate to see apple change their quality as a company. Don't allow them to become another microsoft. Put them in check and let them know that bad change is not acceptable.

October 22 2008 at 4:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to oj's comment
pissed off apple fanboy

well said dude.

October 25 2008 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Macspotter

I just Photoshopped an ifixit (www.ifixit.com) photo of the MacBook logic board (the port lineup is copied from the new MacBook Pro). Even in the current config my 'shopped' logic board will fit the MacBook's casing! In my opinion, (at least some of) the pre-production models did have FireWire onboard. Check it out at http://www.me.com/gallery/#100032.

This adds to the general feeling that the only reason FireWire was kicked was: upselling...

October 21 2008 at 11:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bogdan

For me after reading this article all I can say is that it is a pity that Mac wont use FireWire any more. I a big fun of firewire, it always your data is much better and much secure with firewire instead of a usb.

October 20 2008 at 7:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
frettfull

its all been said so just add my vote to the put fw 400 back for the mini-dv-FCE-laptop folks, and leave the audio-input, pls. or else develop a simple&inexpensive fw-usb converter and a free FCE plug-in to import from the video camera.

October 18 2008 at 9:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Vinzenz

Has anybody ever mentioned how ESSENTIAL Firewire is for MUSIC/SOUND PRODUCTION? There's just no replacement for all those great Firewire soundcards. Any adaptor/converter will destroy the low latencies and data throughput they provide. not to mention how little computing power firewire peripherals consume, so the computer can deal with sound generation and visuals, instead of an overhead of I/O-operations.

I'm using an RME Fireface for sound production with my 5-year old 12" powerbook. it's aging though, so i thought about getting a new mac portable some time now, but there's just no way i'm buying a MBP, only for the firewire port. so, apple, what am i to do?!

October 18 2008 at 8:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rick Cross

The lack of firewire IS a deal breaker for many. For instance my boss bought the higher end 13" MB yesterday and went to use the Migration Assistant. Ooops.

He called Apple Care about copying from his bootable backup... they told him to use Migration Assistant. Seems not everyone at Apple Care has gotten the word about the demise of FW on the new MacBook.

This morning he returned the MB and picked up the new 15" Mac Book Pro largely because of the lack of firewire in the MB. So now he has a 17" MBP and a 15" MBP... not quite the spread in portability that he wanted.

October 17 2008 at 5:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bones

Dealbreaker

I wasn't in a hurry having just recently purchased my black macbook, and I guess on the positive side, for audio interfaces etc. my black macbook has gained a lot of usefulness (for now), being the last macbook besides the low end white macbook to have the option of FW.

October 17 2008 at 5:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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