The difference between Firewire 400 and 800

[joe mama]

Ok, so I am thinking about asking for a Macbook Pro for a graduation present in May. I noticed on the 15 inch versions, there is 1 firewire 400 port, but on the new 17 inch version there is 1 firewire 400 port and one firewire 800 port. What is the difference?! I have a Mackie Onyx 1220 mixer with firewire card and I plan on using it with this computer, but I want to make sure it will still work alright. I read that firewire 800 is a speed increase, but does the Mackie Onyx take advantage of that, or is it designed to work with firewire 400 only? I also tried reading the manual, but couldn't find any sort of answer.

[Soundmind??]

If the Mackie has a 400 card, the 800 will simply operate at the 400 speed (backwards compatible). I'd go with the 800 if possible, as it will be the new standard for the next couple of years till the next upgrade comes along.

[joe mama]

yeah, I would love to go with the 800, believe me! The only reason I am thinking of not asking for that is due to the fact that the Macbook Pro with the firewire 800 costs something like $600 more. Basically what I'm asking is, "Is a firewire 800 port worth $600?"

[ssscientist]

Macintosh's are 'spensitive.

[pdadda]

Originally Posted by joe mama

Basically what I'm asking is, "Is a firewire 800 port worth $600?"

In my opinion, no. For whatever that is worth.

[Chris Shaeffer]

In my experience the main difference is that FW800 cables are even more expensive, difficult to find, and you almost never have the right cable for the job when you need it.

-C

[Chris Shaeffer]

Originally Posted by joe mama

yeah, I would love to go with the 800, believe me! The only reason I am thinking of not asking for that is due to the fact that the Macbook Pro with the firewire 800 costs something like $600 more. Basically what I'm asking is, "Is a firewire 800 port worth $600?"

Keep in mind you're getting more than just a FW800 port for that $600...

One of my main beefs with the Macbook Pro 15" is that it doesn't have a fw800 port. I just really like having TWO firewire ports because I generally need them both. Have 2 ports makes it so I don't need to carry around a PC card to hook up all the firewire crap that I've got.

For me it is a reason to hold out for the machine with 2 ports. I wouldn't care if they were both 400 ports I just want 2.

Take care,
Chris

[Soundmind??]

I think the 400s are quite sufficient for audio work, just saying that if you have a 800 port, it will work with 400s. Should the standard become 800 in a couple of years, you will be able to buy PCI or whatever cards to upgrade to 800 at low cost, certainly less than $600.

[SonicAlbert]

Not on a laptop though. Those PCI card upgrades are for desktops only, and I don't think the MacBooks support PCMCIA cards.

[dgatwood]

Originally Posted by SonicAlbert

Not on a laptop though. Those PCI card upgrades are for desktops only, and I don't think the MacBooks support PCMCIA cards.

No, but they'll do ExpressCard. Eventually, there will be a 34mm ExpressCard FireWire card, I would expect....

*sigh*

I feel your pain.