Comments on: USB 3.0 Almost Here, but Apple Jumped the Gun http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:38:09 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Ely http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-57051 Ely Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:04:59 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-57051 There are already dvi to usb cables on the market. Hard drives aren't really a problem since most that have firewire, also have usb. Looking at all the other converters on the market, there will probably be plenty of usb 3.0 to fw400 or 800 cables. What's the problem? Remember, technology isn't really an investment. The longest it tends to last is 6 years. Most people upgrade at about 3 years. By the end of 6 years, the tech is so agonizingly slow, I'm not sure its worth keeping it that long unless its only for email. Engineered obsolesce is an ugly thing; the only way not to play that game is to not believe that you have to be at the cutting edge: keep it till it breaks, and buy it a year old. There are already dvi to usb cables on the market. Hard drives aren’t really a problem since most that have firewire, also have usb. Looking at all the other converters on the market, there will probably be plenty of usb 3.0 to fw400 or 800 cables. What’s the problem?
Remember, technology isn’t really an investment. The longest it tends to last is 6 years. Most people upgrade at about 3 years. By the end of 6 years, the tech is so agonizingly slow, I’m not sure its worth keeping it that long unless its only for email. Engineered obsolesce is an ugly thing; the only way not to play that game is to not believe that you have to be at the cutting edge: keep it till it breaks, and buy it a year old.

]]> By: Arthone http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-35067 Arthone Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:27:43 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-35067 Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed

]]> By: Charles Moore http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29663 Charles Moore Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:08:12 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29663 FireWire 3200? No one will be happier than me about it if you folks are right and Apple maintains FW support with the new faster spec. I am A FW fan. However, FW 3200 is still roughly one-third slower than the claimed throughput for USB 3.0. Others agree with me on the likelihood Apple is phasing out FireWire. For example: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10141810-76.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5 Charles FireWire 3200? No one will be happier than me about it if you folks are right and Apple maintains FW support with the new faster spec. I am A FW fan. However, FW 3200 is still roughly one-third slower than the claimed throughput for USB 3.0. Others agree with me on the likelihood Apple is phasing out FireWire.

For example:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10141810-76.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5

Charles

]]> By: AdamC http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29625 AdamC Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:03:44 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29625 One more advantage of the FW is you can create an external superdrive by combining a Pioneer DVD drive in a FW housing. And yes you can boot up from it with any bootable software CDs. The only problem is loading the CD initailly. One more advantage of the FW is you can create an external superdrive by combining a Pioneer DVD drive in a FW housing. And yes you can boot up from it with any bootable software CDs. The only problem is loading the CD initailly.

]]> By: Jason O'Grady http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29624 Jason O'Grady Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:50:49 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29624 It's the lack of respect for the investment in peripherals that hurts and not just for individuals ... Schools have audio interfaces, drives, and cameras that all use Firewire - MacBooks fit their budget - MacBook Pros don't. It’s the lack of respect for the investment in peripherals that hurts and not just for individuals … Schools have audio interfaces, drives, and cameras that all use Firewire – MacBooks fit their budget – MacBook Pros don’t.

]]> By: Bob Smith http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29613 Bob Smith Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:00:06 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29613 <i> Replaced by FW 3200 as Mr. Smith pointed out.</i> Will it? I'm not yet convinced. Replaced by FW 3200 as Mr. Smith pointed out.

Will it? I’m not yet convinced.

]]> By: Dan http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29604 Dan Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:38:18 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29604 Booting from USB is pretty simple with Intel Macs. http://www.maciverse.com/install-boot-os-x-leopard-from-a-usb-flash-drive.html It just takes a simple settings adjustment with Disk Utility and the install from any OSX Disk. Booting from USB is pretty simple with Intel Macs.

http://www.maciverse.com/install-boot-os-x-leopard-from-a-usb-flash-drive.html

It just takes a simple settings adjustment with Disk Utility and the install from any OSX Disk.

]]> By: Daisy http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29602 Daisy Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:02:49 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29602 just to amend my previous comment - one of the OTHER major consumer uses for FW was in digital video, and i agree that the loss there definitely hurts more than the loss of some of the other 'prosumer' features that FW afforded the macbook. just to amend my previous comment – one of the OTHER major consumer uses for FW was in digital video, and i agree that the loss there definitely hurts more than the loss of some of the other ‘prosumer’ features that FW afforded the macbook.

]]> By: Daisy http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29601 Daisy Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:57:56 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29601 they've beaten me to it, but yes - any intel mac can boot from a usb drive conveniently and reliably. loss of fw is a little annoying, but to be honest, one of the main consumer uses was fwtdm, which I'd be willing to bet the majority of entry level consumers don't know about. I work in apple retail, and most people aren't aware of the feature at all, and the cases where we'd use it in house (data transfers) work just fine over Ethernet. and should we need to get at the contents of a drive when re computer itself isn't booting, we usually pull the drive and stick it in a sled anyway. not saying it's not a useful feature (it is!) but I'm not so sure it's absence from their entry level books is that huge a deal. the streamlining of the product line means that this is the sort of feature distinction were likely going to see. as for seeing a usb alternative for fwtdm, I doing it, as the USB architecture doesn't really allow for it. I'd love to be proven wrong, but I'm not holding my breath. they’ve beaten me to it, but yes – any intel mac can boot from a usb drive conveniently and reliably.

loss of fw is a little annoying, but to be honest, one of the main consumer uses was fwtdm, which I’d be willing to bet the majority of entry level consumers don’t know about. I work in apple retail, and most people aren’t aware of the feature at all, and the cases where we’d use it in house (data transfers) work just fine over Ethernet. and should we need to get at the contents of a drive when re computer itself isn’t booting, we usually pull the drive and stick it in a sled anyway.

not saying it’s not a useful feature (it is!) but I’m not so sure it’s absence from their entry level books is that huge a deal. the streamlining of the product line means that this is the sort of feature distinction were likely going to see.

as for seeing a usb alternative for fwtdm, I doing it, as the USB architecture doesn’t really allow for it. I’d love to be proven wrong, but I’m not holding my breath.

]]> By: Nikola Tesla http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29598 Nikola Tesla Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:36:49 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29598 ".......FW 800 will be gone as well." Replaced by FW 3200 as Mr. Smith pointed out. “…….FW 800 will be gone as well.” Replaced by FW 3200 as Mr. Smith pointed out.

]]> By: Bob Smith http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29596 Bob Smith Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:28:36 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29596 FW3200? FW3200?

]]> By: Charles Moore http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29593 Charles Moore Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:50:52 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29593 Howdy; Delighted to hear of the success booting via USB 2.0 on Intel Macs. I'm hoping to have an Intel Mac in the not too distant future, and look forward to experimenting. May have to reformat my external drives with Intel-friendly drivers. I haven't given up hope that there will eventually be a USB Target Disk Mode, which is one of the great Mac OS FireWire features. I think you're over-trivializing the removal of FireWire from the MacBook, which is the highest-volume Apple laptop and used by many high-end "professional" users who covet its campactness (ie: the crowd who loved the 12" PowerBook). But for that matter, an awful lot of "consumer" users have FW gear. It's also not trivial (IMHO) that Apple has dumped FireWire 400 from the MacBook Pro. My principal FireWire interest is FW 400 -- all my FireWire peripherals are 400 -- and the necessity of havong another extra cost dongle is a pain. It also cuts FW ports by 50 percent, and I think it's reasonable to suspect that when USB 3.0 is in place FW 800 will be gone as well. Charles Howdy;

Delighted to hear of the success booting via USB 2.0 on Intel Macs. I’m hoping to have an Intel Mac in the not too distant future, and look forward to experimenting.

May have to reformat my external drives with Intel-friendly drivers.

I haven’t given up hope that there will eventually be a USB Target Disk Mode, which is one of the great Mac OS FireWire features.

I think you’re over-trivializing the removal of FireWire from the MacBook, which is the highest-volume Apple laptop and used by many high-end “professional” users who covet its campactness (ie: the crowd who loved the 12″ PowerBook). But for that matter, an awful lot of “consumer” users have FW gear. It’s also not trivial (IMHO) that Apple has dumped FireWire 400 from the MacBook Pro. My principal FireWire interest is FW 400 — all my FireWire peripherals are 400 — and the necessity of havong another extra cost dongle is a pain. It also cuts FW ports by 50 percent, and I think it’s reasonable to suspect that when USB 3.0 is in place FW 800 will be gone as well.

Charles

]]> By: HobbesDoo http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29592 HobbesDoo Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:44:04 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29592 @ #3. Awesome comment and all I wanted to say as well. @ #3.

Awesome comment and all I wanted to say as well.

]]> By: Gazoobee http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29590 Gazoobee Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:55:16 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29590 Good article on USB 3.0, but you are confusing things by going on about FireWire and disk mode and Apple which all have relatively nothing to do with your topic. Why talk about USB 3.0 replacing FireWire, when you have to admit lower down that there won't be any disk mode in USB 3.0? Why re-hash the myth that Apple is discontinuing Firewire support when in fact all it did was remove it from one computer (it's lowest end portable)? Why use a comparison between your old PowerBook (a Pro product) and a MacBook (a consumer level product)? As both commenters above me have noted, the lack of disk mode is somewhat alleviated by the fact that a MacBook can boot from a USB drive. Migration assistant (the main use of disk mode) can also still be used over Ethernet or WiFi. Good article on USB 3.0, but you are confusing things by going on about FireWire and disk mode and Apple which all have relatively nothing to do with your topic.

Why talk about USB 3.0 replacing FireWire, when you have to admit lower down that there won’t be any disk mode in USB 3.0?

Why re-hash the myth that Apple is discontinuing Firewire support when in fact all it did was remove it from one computer (it’s lowest end portable)?

Why use a comparison between your old PowerBook (a Pro product) and a MacBook (a consumer level product)?

As both commenters above me have noted, the lack of disk mode is somewhat alleviated by the fact that a MacBook can boot from a USB drive. Migration assistant (the main use of disk mode) can also still be used over Ethernet or WiFi.

]]> By: Will http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29589 Will Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:48:41 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29589 I've not had any issues when booting off external USB devices. I have had good results booting a full system from an external USB HD, as well as with bootable DVD image (for iDefrag) that was copied to a 2GB USB stick. What's the actual issue that you are discussing? I’ve not had any issues when booting off external USB devices. I have had good results booting a full system from an external USB HD, as well as with bootable DVD image (for iDefrag) that was copied to a 2GB USB stick.

What’s the actual issue that you are discussing?

]]> By: Derek http://theappleblog.com/2009/01/12/usb-30-almost-here-but-apple-jumped-the-gun/#comment-29588 Derek Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:47:49 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=14466#comment-29588 Your PowerBook probably can't, but Intel Macs can boot from an attached USB drive. Your PowerBook probably can’t, but Intel Macs can boot from an attached USB drive.

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