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The Mac Observer has posted a reader poll and commentary on the topic of whether Apple should embrace USB 2. They note: “Intel has pushed USB 2.0 as a replacement for FireWire. In reality, it seems much more like an outstanding replacement for USB 1.1. USB 2.0 has nowhere near the throughput of FireWire, but it does have a growing number of peripherals using the technology. One other thing USB 2.0 is missing is support from Apple. “I think it’s time for Apple to embrace the technology for connecting scanners, printers, keyboards, and mice, so that Mac users can take advantage of some of the benefits it brings. The company could easily continue to promote FireWire for storage, CD burners, high-end scanners and printers, and networking.” I agree. While there is definitely some overlap of functionality between USB 2 and FireWire, they are also complimentary (for example; USB 2 still supports input devices as well as data transfers). USB 2 has thus far been a mostly PC-oriented alternative to FireWire. Apple has not yet shipped any Macs with built-in support for USB 2, but desktop Macs with PCI slots can be upgraded to support USB 2 with PCI adapter cards, and G3 Series and G4 PowerBooks can support some PC Card USB 2 adapters. A wide and growing variety of USB 2 peripheral devices is available, including hard drives, HD enclosures, hubs, networking devices, and digital video devices, and are expected to eventually include a vast range of devices such as CD burners, printers, scanners, digital cameras, PDAs, speakers, and Web cams. If there is some particular USB 2 peripheral device you would like to use with your Mac -- perhaps to share between a Mac and a PC, then it gies without saying that it would be convenient to have USB 2 support on the Mac. (Note that most USB 2 devices will work with the USB 1.1 ports in current Macs, but a lot more slowly than they would with real USB 2 support). However, make sure that any necessary device drivers are available for the Mac OS before investing in USB 2 support hardware. USB 2 support is built into Mac OS X, but while some USB 2 adapters will work with OS 8.6 through 9.x, you only get USB 1.1 speeds with the Classic operating systems. Note that while USB 2 is nominally spec’ed at 480 Mbps, in real world tests throughput has been more like 150 Mbps. Firewire on the other hand is true 400 Mbps no questions asked. You can check out some speed tests here: In summary, I would like to see Apple upgrade the USB 1.1 support in new Macs to USB 2 while of course retaining FireWire -- a win-win proposition for users. Note: Letters to Moore's Mailbag may or may not be published at the editor's discretion. Correspondents' email addresses will NOT be published unless the correspondent specifically requests publication. Letters may be edited for length and/or context. Opinions expressed in postings to Moore's MailBag are those of the respective correspondents and not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Editor and/or Applelinks management. If you would prefer that your message not appear in Moore's Mailbag, we would still like to hear from you. Just clearly mark your message "NOT FOR PUBLICATION," and it will not be published. CM
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