New MacBooks & MacBook Pros - Apple omitted musicians???, news Options

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New MacBooks & MacBook Pros - Apple omitted musicians???

[arvidtp]

Yeah - getting rid of firewire was a pretty lousy omission. Hopefully it will come back when they see everyone get angry. I'm glad I bought a macbook pro this January to use with my MOTU Ultralite! First they reduce the power on the firewire port (some audio interfaces stop booting) then they have to go and take it away? We've also lost the ability to firewire target disk ubiquitously across all macs - a trick I have used to repair many a seemingly dead mac.Alas, it seems that Apple has gone up another notch in neglecting its pro users.

[thedomus]

Although with the previous models of Macbook Pro if you connected an audio interface to the FW400 port and a HD to the FW800 port, the firewire buss, which is shared between the two ports, would drop to the lower FW400 speed!
The only way around this is to make use of the Express Card slot for probably the HD's.
I do agree that omitting the FW400 port from the Macbook is aggressive marketing from Apple in that they are 'encouraging' less well off music producers to spend more cash on the MBPro.

[lepetitmartien]

I had opened a thread here with my own humble swearing opinion…

If the choice for broke musicians or for videomakers is between a MBP and nothing from Apple, be sure a part of them will go windows just because their budget can't stomach the price tag. And most PCs HAVE iLink ports…

We already pay a premium for firewire for any peripheral we buy, but we do so not because we like the premium but because Firewire rocks. We have investments in firewire for a reason, plus firewire is Apple baby… It makes no sense.

[Okratron 5000]

"It makes no sense."

No. It makes perfect sense. Apple has a 10% market share now. Of that, maybe 1% are Pros, .01% are musicians and .001% care about Firewire. In Apple's eyes, that's nothing.

I'm not shocked at all.

[Del-Uks]

With no significant price cut, the new design is just form over function!
I suggest we send Apple feedback:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html

Bring FW400 back!

[esacasa]

Firewire 800 is backwards compatible! All you need is a simple adapter!

http://www.amazon.com/Sonnet-FireWire-400-...4/dp/B0000CDJPQ

Guys! There is no problem here! Apple still loves you!

This post has been edited by esacasa: Thu 16 Oct 2008, 06:27

[lepetitmartien]

Esecasa, there's NO Firewire on the new macbooks.

Firewire 800 is theorically not an issue, but we'll have to test if all interfaces will accept the theorical backward compatibility. I have the experience with drives, even with 400 drives connected thru a 800 drive, we'll have to see for interfaces…

Okratron 5000, those few professionals (and here we talk also about musicians not necessarily pro, or even about families with DV cameras… are those who have been mostly Apple thru and thru for years. As long as I saw the point when Apple dropped the floppy, the ADB port, here I don't see the point, as they don't offer something better.

And remember, no more target…

[vegan cannibal]

i think apple is only focussing on making windows users switch to mac. all the rest seems to be not relevant anymore. including us, who spent alot of money for a good working firewire audio interface.
so what now?
i just left a feedback at apple.com wich seems to be the only thing, that anyone can do to make apple change there mind.

let's see what happens

[mortalengines]

Seeing how the last interface as well as the current interface I own are firewire, this is not really a move that makes me happy. It means that in 3 or 4 years I will probably be looking for a new interface as well as a computer upgrade. I just bought a MacBookPro with the FW back in September. Apparently it was a better move than I thought.

www.myspace.com/mortal_engines

[Mac Daddy]

I have been reading the Posts regarding the "New" Mac's... Whew. Wow. Wham. I think I am going to change my name to Mac Grand Daddy! I am so out of the loop it is crazy. I am happy to say I spend time creating music and rarely anytime dealing with Technical Issues.

I "Feel Ya". You take your hard earned cash, lay it down, rush home to compose the next big 'Hit' and you are held up with TechCrap. Argghhh! I will be happy when I see fewer, not more of the Problems with "New" gear. I know many of you would think me "Backward" but, you can get an older system that runs without issues for half the price of what you are paying for this "New" gear.

I apologize if I seem "Out Of Touch", but in the few years I have been a member of 440 Forum I have never seen as many Problems. It's not the members fault, especially the first time buyers, you either buy too little or not enough. Salespeople can be real bullies and kick your butt, plus make you feel good about it! They go back and laugh about how they just ripped off another newbie. The worst is that you will return to these same Salespeople for more advice. You buy, go home, plug in the gear... "It still doesn't work"!!!!!

If you want to create music. Buy an older, complete system. See and hear it in operation. You can probably get the complete set-up, they might even throw in the Monitors if they really need the money. Older systems were purchased with insight, usually by a person who wanted the best for their music, not the "Cheapest", when you buy cheap, you buy twice. If you are lucky enough to find someone with a 'Complete System' and they are "Retiring From Th Game" they will be helpful knowing their gear is going to a "Good Home". Good gear seldom goes bad. It is respected, even by the most Destructive Rock & Roll Hotel Trashers.

In closing, if your new system is really kicking your butt, sell it get something older and complete for less. Or continue on your chosen path. Eventually the problems get solved, but, you ain't makin music!!!!

[azkid]

In closing, if your new system is really kicking your butt, sell it get something older and complete for less. Or continue on your chosen path. Eventually the problems get solved, but, you ain't makin music!!!!
[/quote]

Grand Mac Daddy, (LOL, did I put that in the correct order?) My love to you!

All I can say is YEAH Man! The real problem is the US $. Bottom line, it's gonna be a real tough pull out for all and any industry here,... to stay alive for the next few months and possibly years, given our economy.

(I DO apologize,.... I didn't vote this way!)

Not all folks make music. I'm quite sure that Apple/Macintosh, is striving to survive to its general market, and THEY don't care squat for our musical need to connect FW audio interfaces. It'd be akin to worrying about a hair cut, while your arse is on fire.

(lepetitmartien, I've always & humbly, adored & appreciated YOU & your efforts to my own and all posts over the years, but I took HUGE offense to your use of the "C" word, in reference to this dilemma. Stay steady Man, and use correct verbage, unrelated to any discord with women, in order to reference a disdain for Apple & Macintosh products, please. I read it, it's still on the web site, you really may want to reconsider the choices of other words. Your "sorry" doesn't appeal to me, and perhaps any women.) http://en.440forums.com/forums/?showtopic=39871

But Mac Daddy is essentially, wisely, correct. The new MacBook, is a huge disappointment for us, the music makers. Their marketing and economic needs must lie elsewhere for the time being.

If you lie low, and go with what used to be for a while, it will come back. It IS just all about economy for right now. Trust in that.

WE WILL MAKE MUSIC. Regardless of how it is recorded. It has always been so.

This post has been edited by azkid: Sat 18 Oct 2008, 06:32

[analog]

Aye Word to Grand Daddy Mac he's right on point. I'm still on a 5 year old PowerBook G4 12"! I've wanted to upgrade for the past 2 years but after looking at specs, 440 forums (thanks for being testers) and helping many people with new macs and hardware, I came to the conclusion that it takes alot of time, knowledge and effort to keep up with the lastest and greatest! Daddy Mac made 2 good points and they where basically.

1. Try before you buy.
Or
2. Buy Used Working/Properly equipment (Once again Daddy Mac said you can save alot of money and he's right).

I would like to add one other Point and that is KISS

Keep It Simple Stupid(Sound) Meaning keep your setup simple and your music will come alive as you will not spend so much time fixing problems, learning new hard/software, or simply search or looking for sounds.

But I must agree with the majority we loyal mac users have preached and spread the word for years, We've hooked others on macs and a since 10.5 it seems Apple is going consumer on Us with the Missing Firewire port on the new MacBooks. I myself was seriously considering one until i woke up the next morning and saw the posts on 440 (Thanks everyone) and realized I missed the missing firewire port. I was in disbelief that Apple would do something like that! With that said please encourage everyone you know with a Mac to go to Apple forums and complain. Open up as many as we can under all kinds of topics relating to firewire ie. video, music, etc and COMPLAIN. Second hold off a while on buying the MacBookPro and I think we will see firewire back on the MacBook by the summer!

Happy Music Making

Peace

analoghdesc

[lepetitmartien]

(lepetitmartien, I've always & humbly, adored & appreciated YOU & your efforts to my own and all posts over the years, but I took HUGE offense to your use of the "C" word, in reference to this dilemma. Stay steady Man, and use correct verbage, unrelated to any discord with women, in order to reference a disdain for Apple & Macintosh products, please. I read it, it's still on the web site, you really may want to reconsider the choices of other words. Your "sorry" doesn't appeal to me, and perhaps any women.) http://en.440forums.com/forums/?showtopic=39871

Sorry, but as it was what was on line exactly on Apple website I translated, it's about as offensive in French (even if there's some mild tolerance in some uses).

It made all the French speaking community laugh on this one, so timely!

Now I know it is offensive and not politically correct. Now you could really get back at me about some other words I used in my post, given my usual restrain, you have an idea of my anger that night… And you'd be right

There's 2 petition online

That one on firewire only

This one on Firewire and glossy screen

And iPapy just answered on the issue thanks to our friends at Macnn

This post has been edited by lepetitmartien: Sun 19 Oct 2008, 07:33

Reason for edit: petition links

[mortalengines]

I had no problem with the use of the "C" word in this particular instance due to its context and that it was a literal translation. I honestly don't have any problem with the odd expletive tossed about on a forum but, I do tend to curb my own use while here out of respect for the platform. I fail to see any harm in it in this case, it wasn't demeaning or hateful.....it was pretty funny.....where has our sense of humor gone?

www.myspace.com/mortal_engines

[lepetitmartien]

Lost with the firewire port of macbooks ^^

[mortalengines]

...or down the drain with the rest of the economy.

[azkid]

I had no problem with the use of the "C" word in this particular instance due to its context and that it was a literal translation. I honestly don't have any problem with the odd expletive tossed about on a forum but, I do tend to curb my own use while here out of respect for the platform. I fail to see any harm in it in this case, it wasn't demeaning or hateful.....it was pretty funny.....where has our sense of humor gone?

www.myspace.com/mortal_engines

mortalengines,
I've read your posts, I know that you are knowledgeable concerning music and its perpetuity on our Macintosh computers. I can see where you wouldn't have a problem with the "c" word. You don't own one. And I DO have an intact sense of humor.

This "literal translation" thing, well, I really don't understand what you & lepetitmartien are talking about there. Between French and English, I find the same meanings of this word. What I DO believe, is that lepetitmartien truly meant no ill regard to women. Mostly because I pay attention to all the ambiguities in his and everyone's posts.

I won't masticate this further. It is enough said about that.

The new Macbooks SUCK. With no fire wire, they are inadequate to compete in the market with our needs.

So until Apple/Macintosh perceives us music makers as a viable market niche, then we will have to do without them, and stay the course with previous products or for new music makers, regrettably switch to alternatives.

Thank you Lepetitmartien, for the "I'm sorry"

Again, your explanation regarding literal translation, I don't understand, but I do trust your intentions were good.

This post has been edited by azkid: Tue 21 Oct 2008, 06:59

[lepetitmartien]

we'd better comment on what "our" steve gave answer: that DV cameras are more and more USB2 etc.

I don't thinks he gets that most people don't have these, and the first concerned are especially those not addressed by his justification speech. (or he gets it but we're not a market really… then why buy Logic? Why FW interfases with Apogee, it DOESN'T MAKE SENSE)

[iLLuMiNaTiCa]

we'd better comment on what "our" steve gave answer: that DV cameras are more and more USB2 etc.

I don't thinks he gets that most people don't have these, and the first concerned are especially those not addressed by his justification speech. (or he gets it but we're not a market really… then why buy Logic? Why FW interfases with Apogee, it DOESN'T MAKE SENSE)

Peace

l though USB 3 is around the corner these macbook pros do not even have it so i can not understand why Apple went ahead with this one other then to open the market to usb 3 products

[lepetitmartien]

Sure, it's a mystery.

Plus, the NVIDIA chipset used allow for eSATA, multiple USB… Why not use them ? At least a eSATA move would have been understandable.