Anyone make battery powered FireWire switch?

Could not find any battery powered FireWire hubs, either.
Mark Conrad wrote on :

Tried Google search, could not find any such device.

All need AC power apparently.

Could not find any battery powered FireWire hubs, either.

Mark-

Gerry replied on :

In article 031120061849436985%this-is@redacted.invalid, Mark Conrad this-is@redacted.invalid wrote:

Tried Google search, could not find any such device.

All need AC power apparently.

Could not find any battery powered FireWire hubs, either.

Mark-

What are you trying to accomplish?

Mark Conrad replied on :

Gerry inboxisfull@redacted.invalid wrote:

What are you trying to accomplish?

Just trying to be as versatile with my MacBook as possible.

When one considers the cost of a maxed out 15" MacBook, one should try to make it do as much as possible, even though it is battery operated.

To be more specific, with my desktop Mac connectivity is not a problem. If I am operating several FireWire devices, no problem.

I merely hook up my AC powered FireWire switch, and I am good to go with several FireWire devices.

Heck, even my 6 year old Pismo powerbook has two FireWire ports.

Why can't the latest MacBooks at least keep up with six year old technology?

At least that is how I think, what are your thoughts on the matter?

Mark-

Gerry replied on :

In article 1hoayov.1xp2a8x1wqo5uyN%this-is@redacted.invalid, this-is@redacted.invalid (Mark Conrad) wrote:

Gerry inboxisfull@redacted.invalid wrote:

What are you trying to accomplish?

Just trying to be as versatile with my MacBook as possible.

When one considers the cost of a maxed out 15" MacBook, one should try to make it do as much as possible, even though it is battery operated.

To be more specific, with my desktop Mac connectivity is not a problem. If I am operating several FireWire devices, no problem.

I merely hook up my AC powered FireWire switch, and I am good to go with several FireWire devices.

Heck, even my 6 year old Pismo powerbook has two FireWire ports.

Why can't the latest MacBooks at least keep up with six year old technology?

At least that is how I think, what are your thoughts on the matter?

Mark-

Again what are you trying to accomplish? Why do you need a switch?

You can daisy chain over 200 firewire devices and plug them into one Firewire port on your MacBook.

Mark Conrad replied on :

Gerry everyday@redacted.invalid wrote:

You can daisy chain over 200 firewire devices and plug them into one Firewire port on your MacBook.

Don't count on it. The FireWire powered La Cie drives lately only have one FireWire plug, no daisy chaining allowed.

Again what are you trying to accomplish? Why do you need a switch?

In one word, "connectivity".

I do not want to be hung out to dry with one FireWire connection when I need two of them. What's wrong with that?

Wanna get more specific? Try this.

Macs are great for multitasking, as long as the multitasking does not involve low-level stuff on the host Mac.

For example, if I am on a business flight with my associates, and we need to set up an ad-hoc FireWire network on the aircraft to get some work done, like exchanging large video files with each other.

Well then it is no problem to string FireWire cables between our little group on the aircraft, as long as everyone has several FW jacks available on their MacBooks.

I could be sending and receiving large video files simultaneousely , to several of my associates with such an ad-hoc FireWire network "in the background", while simultaneously maintaining a shared link via Internet with any of their home offices, all from our handy-dandy China Airlines aircraft chugging along in the mid-Pacific Ocean.

Oh, but I forgot, modern MacBooks only have one lonely FireWire jack, don't they, so we all have to wait ten long hours until we are on the ground, in order to get our work done.

Alternative would be to spray the aircraft with Wi-Fi emmissions, with the attendent risk to aircraft operations.

Very irresponsible, not for me, thank you.

BTW, if anyone wants to take advantage of in-flight Internet access from 3 Asian airlines, (Japan, China, Shanghai) - they better hurry, because Boeing Aircraft is about to abandon the whole system in about 2 months, leaving those airlines high and dry with no way to recoup their million dollar investment in each airplane, to install the system.

Reason? - Boeing has not made a profit on the system for the past six years. Apparently not all that many people use the system, which tacks a $25 surcharge on the cost of an airline ticket.

Mark-

Warren Oates replied on :

In article 1hobnm4.1emfksm1da43mwN%this-is@redacted.invalid, this-is@redacted.invalid (Mark Conrad) wrote:

Don't count on it. The FireWire powered La Cie drives lately only have one FireWire plug, no daisy chaining allowed.

I just bought a La Cie "triple extreme." It has 2 FW800 ports, one FW400, and one USB2. So I guess you can chain FW800; I don't know if you can have FW800 (as I do) going to the computer, and then chain FW400 out of it. I'll check in the manual, which is downstairs in the box somewhere.

Mark Conrad replied on :

Warren Oates warren.oates@redacted.invalid wrote:

Don't count on it. The FireWire powered La Cie drives lately only have one FireWire plug, no daisy chaining allowed.

I just bought a La Cie "triple extreme." It has 2 FW800 ports, one FW400, and one USB2. So I guess you can chain FW800; I don't know if you can have FW800 (as I do) going to the computer, and then chain FW400 out of it. I'll check in the manual, which is downstairs in the box somewhere.

That sounds great if it is bus powered from the MacBook itself, even if it is limited to FW800.

Hope there is enough 'oomph' in the FW circuit to support the drive and a local "Timbuktu" FireWire network.

We all use TB2 software, even the PC/Windows guys, because it runs a lot faster than the free VNC remote control alternative.

Worth trying to see if it will work. Perhaps it will, with a little help from the normal power outlets for portable computers, built into the armrest of the passenger seats.

Mark-