Release of FireWire 800-equipped MacBook Pro Brings Applause, Support at Worldwide Developers’ Conference in San Francisco
Apple’s decision to include 1394b in its newest MacBook Pro computers emphasizes the superior performance of FireWire 800 and its popularity among users worldwide, the 1394 Trade Association said today.
At its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco June 8, Apple introduced the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with 1394b to applause and cheers from attendees when Apple VP of Product Marketing Phil Schiller introduced the new computers, saying, “Doesn’t every MacBook Pro deserve FireWire 800?”
Along with FireWire 800, the MacBook Pro also includes a built-in battery, like the 17-inch and new 15-inch MacBook Pro. According to Apple, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is the company’s ‘fastest’ ever, and has the same display as the new 15-inch MacBook Pro with a 60 percent increase in color gamut, sports a back-lit keyboard and SD card slot, offers up to seven hours of battery life, up to 8GB RAM, and up to a 500GB hard drive. The new version is available now.
For months, Apple customers and users have made clear their support for 1394 through petitions, web logs, and general commentary directed at the company.
“FireWire has proved itself to be extremely popular, and Apple has responded with a terrific new MacBook Pro with 1394b,” said James Snider, executive director, 1394 Trade Association. “1394b delivers 800 Megabit/second speed, excellent read/write performance, networking capabilities over distances of 100 meters over CAT-5 and fiber, and improved overall network efficiency compared with 1394a and with all versions of USB. We are delighted to see that Apple’s users and supporters of FireWire have been rewarded with this new product announcement.”
The 1394 Trade Association is a worldwide organization dedicated to the advancement of the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) standard. The 1394TA recently celebrated its 14th year of promoting 1394 and its one billionth 1394 port shipped. FireWire is used today in mass-market computer, entertainment, and professional products, and in a wide range of specialty applications such as music, defense, aerospace, industrial, and robotics products.
