Short question: What are the chances a new Mac Pro would have FireWire, USB 3.0, and Thunderbolt? I don't know enough about the chip requirements of these three ports to know how well they might coexist in the same machine.
Long explanation: I'm in the market for a new Mac Pro (it will be my first). I've been with Apple since the late 1980s. I currently have an iMac that has served me well, but it's time to upgrade, and the new iMac is not an option. The lack of native FireWire ports kills it for me. I do professional audio work, and I have a lot of high-quality, expensive peripherals that run exclusively on bus-powered FireWire. Existing Thunderbolt/Firewire adapters are not suitable. I have a limited budget, and I don't like the idea of having to replace all my peripherals (costing more than the computer itself) just because Apple decides to yank FW from its iMac. What are the chances Apple will recognize that its pro and "prosumer" customers still have a very real need for FW? (I know, I know: since when did Apple give a d@mn about what its customers need?) Furthermore, from a technical point of view, how likely is it that the same machine could support FW, USB 3.0, and Thunderbolt?
Honestly, I don't care one way or the other about TB. USB 3.0 would be very nice to have, but FW for me is a must. I realize I could go buy a Mac Pro now and be guaranteed at least FW, but I don't relish the thought of paying a premium price for a 3-year-old computer with a refresh potentially just around the corner -- especially if that refresh comes with USB 3.0.
On another note, I'm hoping Apple won't kill off the optical drive in the MacPro. As an audio guy, I have many, many occasions to use the CD/DVD drive. Mine still gets a daily workout reading and burning discs. I don't want the clutter of an external drive, and in my experience, external USB or FW drives don't seem to be as reliable as internals. (I've had more disc read and burn errors with externals.)
Had Apple kept FW and an optical drive in the iMac, I would have perfectly happy going that route. I'm just hoping they won't render the next MacPro similarly useless for my purposes.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Long explanation: I'm in the market for a new Mac Pro (it will be my first). I've been with Apple since the late 1980s. I currently have an iMac that has served me well, but it's time to upgrade, and the new iMac is not an option. The lack of native FireWire ports kills it for me. I do professional audio work, and I have a lot of high-quality, expensive peripherals that run exclusively on bus-powered FireWire. Existing Thunderbolt/Firewire adapters are not suitable. I have a limited budget, and I don't like the idea of having to replace all my peripherals (costing more than the computer itself) just because Apple decides to yank FW from its iMac. What are the chances Apple will recognize that its pro and "prosumer" customers still have a very real need for FW? (I know, I know: since when did Apple give a d@mn about what its customers need?) Furthermore, from a technical point of view, how likely is it that the same machine could support FW, USB 3.0, and Thunderbolt?
Honestly, I don't care one way or the other about TB. USB 3.0 would be very nice to have, but FW for me is a must. I realize I could go buy a Mac Pro now and be guaranteed at least FW, but I don't relish the thought of paying a premium price for a 3-year-old computer with a refresh potentially just around the corner -- especially if that refresh comes with USB 3.0.
On another note, I'm hoping Apple won't kill off the optical drive in the MacPro. As an audio guy, I have many, many occasions to use the CD/DVD drive. Mine still gets a daily workout reading and burning discs. I don't want the clutter of an external drive, and in my experience, external USB or FW drives don't seem to be as reliable as internals. (I've had more disc read and burn errors with externals.)
Had Apple kept FW and an optical drive in the iMac, I would have perfectly happy going that route. I'm just hoping they won't render the next MacPro similarly useless for my purposes.
Thanks for your thoughts.