FireWire 1600, 3200 approved: Now, USB 3.0 or FireWire?

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My choice: USB 3.0

At least for mainstream computing.

USB has used a single main interface since it was first introduced. Being able to use an old-but-still-functional USB device like a mouse, webcam, or cable to a digital camera in a USB 3.0 port is exactly what people expect.

FireWire, like one of Apple's former high-speed loves, SCSI, now has two different port definitions. The older S400-sized port is physically incompatible with the newer S800-sized port (unless you use an adapter). But as interfaces change, the industry is requiring that the consumers be more knowledgeable about their hardware. This has the unfortunate effect of alienating the folks who fall in the "just want things to work" camp (a group that seems to be the computer-using majority).

I specifically name Apple because they were a developer/suppoter/implementer of IEEE 1394, with early Macs omitting USB in favor of FireWire ports. USB's dominance over FireWire for general computing needs seems evident, especially when you factor in that FireWire-800 is currently only available on an iMac or MacBook Pro, while the celebrated MacBook Air ditches FireWire altogether.

FireWire has advantages over USB in various situations, and I'm confident that the faster FireWire specifications will be a tremendous boon for those applications. But for the rest of us, I think USB will remain the common man's interface for years to come.

Posted by: R_Connelie@...   Posted on: 07/31/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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