According to this article , Apple may drop Firewire once they switch to Intel Processors. Will our current FireWire become obsolete? Will USB 2.0 become the standard? What is the advantages of Firewire over USB 2.0? I've heard that transfere speed is identical. Please share your thoughts. I'm going after a new audio interface next year like a Fireface or Firepod (I currently have a Firebox that I'm thrilled with) that has more inputs. If Firewire goes away..I may wait for USB 2.0 devices.
There is a firewire device plugged into every single FW port on every single mac where I work. Apple would be shooting its pro audio and video market- argueably its most loyal following- in the foot.
Still, its easy and cheap enough to get FW cards- even for laptops. It wouldn't be the end of the world.
I guess some of the new ipods lack firewire ports and some people see handwriting on the wall. If I understand the rumor correctly, however, it applies to the new Apple laptops featuring intel chips. I'm not sure when they will hit the market but it's down the road a bit (Summer 2006?). The rumor mill also suggests that even these new intel macs will have a Firewire 800 plug. So it may be less of a change than we think. I have to agree that dropping firewire alltogether would be a large setback for editing video and audio on the Mac. I can toss my first generation MOTU 828 but I draw the line on my Canon GL2! On the other hand, one of these days technology will make firewire obsolete as faster connections are developed using some new type of port. It's happened before (and not that long ago) and it will happen again.
