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New FW Based Keyboard?

post #1 of 10
11/28/01 at 6:08pm
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Just got to thinking about the posts regarding new technology and the possibility of DDR ram, faster buses, and G5 processors .

So if the digital hub is to expand, I should think that Apple would dump their USB based Keyboard for one that hooks to the computer via Firewire and have additional ports for Plug and Play in the Keyboard, as they have with USB now... Having those ports closer would be more convenient than having to wrestle your computer out to plug things in the back, esp. on PowerMacs.

Perhaps then the mouse will go Wireless (Bluetooth)? Although I don't know how this would all come together, but I'm thinking that this should be considered as a possibility...

[ 11-28-2001: Message edited by: Dave Hagan ]</p>
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post #2 of 10
11/28/01 at 6:17pm
FireWire is way overkill for a keyboard.

I do think Apple should add a FireWire port to their LCD displays. The LCDs already have 2 USB ports, might as well add FireWire. Assuming the ADC connection can handle the bandwidth along with all the other things it does.
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post #3 of 10
11/28/01 at 6:39pm
I would assume that Firewire takes up way too much bandwidth to work over the ADC. You could add it by sticking a FW cable in the bundle, but there may be interference issues. Either way, it's not really important. USB is designed for these kinds of things (mice, keyboards, still cameras) which most people are using. What Apple needs is front mounted FW ports. It's not that hard to do, and would be just about as useful.

Also, don't FW chips cost a ton more? (Relatively speaking) That'd be wasted money, coming either from decreased profit margins or higher prices, and there's no reason to pay it.
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post #4 of 10
11/28/01 at 6:45pm
Well, there is a new case enclosure ( pretty sure about that), and maybe that calls for a front firwire/gigawire port

time to start saving up again

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post #5 of 10
11/28/01 at 7:19pm
Why should Apple do that? There's no need at all for a FireWire keyboard. For devices like a kayboard USB is perfectly fine.
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post #6 of 10
11/28/01 at 7:33pm
I don't think he/she means that apple should use firewire on the keyboard because usb is an insufficient way of connecting a keyboard... i believe its purpose would be to add a firewire hub to the keyboard so to speak as usb is now implemented on the keyboard. Not that i think keyboard mounting it is necessary but moving it into the front area of computers would help considdering firewire is supposed to be a "plug and play" interface and you plug firewire devices in and out all the time.
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post #7 of 10
11/28/01 at 7:35pm
A Firewire keyboard would make perfect sense if Apple didn't want to throw a buncha firewire ports on the front of the case, but didn't want people to have to reach around to the back of the case to plug in their iPod, or similar devices. He's not suggesting that one needs it in order to type more quickly . Of course, it would probably piss off everyone who has a USB mouse to plug-in, unless it was cable bundle, which would either require an unsightly double connector, or a new, proprietary ADC-style port. So, while I think it's a damn good idea, I don't think we'll see it.
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post #8 of 10
11/28/01 at 8:01pm
A firewire keyboard would also have future implementations for the iPod. I believe Apple could create a keyboard with a design worthy of use with a desktop computer, but when needed, could be used seamlessly as a portable input device for the iPod. iPods could also benefit from a handwriting recognition attachement.

Just thinking...
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post #9 of 10
11/28/01 at 8:03pm
Personally, I don't think Apple would be wise to make their keyboard a firewire device, even if it were only to house a firewire hub. I do think that the PowerMac would benefit from having the firewire ports in the front, OR having only one port in the back, and supply a cool little 2-port Firewire hub. Now that would be a cool little thing to do for the PowerMac people. Besides, what good are front-facing firewire ports if your powermac is on the ground, below your desk?
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-- Mike Eggleston
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-- Wii #: 8913 3004 4519 2027
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post #10 of 10
11/28/01 at 8:32pm
Yeah, a Firewire keyboard is long past due. I'm sick and tired of constantly having to wait for the screen display to catch up to my typing. USB simply doesn't have the bandwidth for my ultra-fast typing skills. 400 MB/S is really the minimum, you dig?

Uhh, seriously, a FW keyboard is about the dumbest thing I've heard in weeks.

And since FW peripherals can be daisychained, there really is no need for lots of extra ports. Yeah it would be nice to have some ports easily accessable, but the place for those is on the front of the Powermacs. I've been saying so ever since USB came out...as long as it's hot swappable, why not make it easily accessable? For the love of God, the stupid cube had to be turned upside down to access those hot-swappable ports! Whoa, good thing it's USB and not serial!!!
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