User 200631

End of the Line for Apple's FireWire

"Apple has apparently concluded this is a niche market to be ceded to Sony (SNE) and others."

While possible, seriously doubtful. Firewire 800 is still essential for video professionals, and there does not seem to be a universally viable replacement currently in the wings. I seriously doubt Apple would kiss off this market segment - which was responsible for its own "halo" effect in Apple's growth.

Apple has always differentiated between its higher and lower end offerings - which is why certain modules of the FCP suite (like Motion) were not officially supported on the basic Macbooks or the Mac mini. Leaving Firewire 800 in the 17" models, but dropping it from the new offerings may be their way of maintaining this separation.