What’s Missing From The New MacBooks: FireWire Ports
Oct 14th, 2008 | By James Lewin | Category: Computer Hardware, Podcasting Hardware 
There’s something very important missing from the new line of MacBooks that Apple introduced today: FireWire ports.
Here’s the port lineup for the new MacBooks:
- MagSafe power port
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
- Mini DisplayPort
- Audio line in
- Audio line out
- Kensington lock slot
Yep – if you’ve bought a FireWire audio interfaces or FireWire mixers, or if you use FireWire to import videos from your video camera, the new MacBook line is not for you.
This is a very disruptive move on Apple’s part, and could lead some people in new media to skip this generation of MacBooks and see how the future of FireWire pans out.
If you need a new Mac laptop now and you’ve got an investment in some pricy FireWire gear, plan on dropping 2 grand or more on a MacBook Pro, or scooping up one of the great deals on refurbished MacBook Pros.
FireWire is vastly superior to USB. More so, it has the ability to do Ethernet, Video in/out, Audio in/out, and even 30W of power over many different cable types. For data delivery, the new FW 3200 protocol beats eSATA hands down, and allows you to connect more then 1 HDD at a time. Goole it, you will find this is all true.
I needed to connect my old MAc book to my daughters newer version (needed to Target the disk) and can’t due to the firewire port’s removal. Don’t understand why there is not an adapter.