I guess Skyhook hasn't sent anyone driving around my neighborhood yet. Maps can't find me on my ipod Touch.
I contacted them and they told me how to send them the location of my home wireless so that it could be included in their database. It took about a week, but now the location circle is much closer to my house.
If what they said about the power over USB is true. Then it can't work with other machines.
I just hope that it doesn't have a standard USB plug. If it does, it could possibly damage a standard USB port.
I would imagine that to prevent that, Apple either has some special tit on the plug that corresponds to a small slot on the jack so that it can't go into any other USB jack anywhere else, or, it has firmware that quickly detects if the jack is from the Air before the drive spins up.
Here's a high-tech piece of equipment that will solve the problem - it's called a 'cable'. The cable you need is often found with external 2.5" drives - it has two USB plugs on one end for plugging into a machine and a single usb plug on the other. It should run to a couple of bucks. You might need some sort of gender bender too.
I'd say the drive wouldn't require more than 1 Amp, which equates to two USB ports. If it requires more than this then you're out of luck, since Apple is quite particular about delivering only 0.5A to their USB ports (at least before they made the Air).
Also, this drive won't damage USB ports. If the device tries to draw more power than the port is willing to deliver then it just doesn't get it, end of story. The engineers who designed the spec and build machines have thought of these things. What do you think they do all day?
Someone, Belkin or other, will create a small and very inexpensive USB adapter that simply boosts the power output so you can run the MBA SuperDrive on any computer. I give it less than two weeks before it is announced.
Someone, Belkin or other, will create a small and very inexpensive USB adapter that simply boosts the power output so you can run the MBA SuperDrive on any computer. I give it less than two weeks before it is announced.
Exactly. Anyone remember the Griffin iFire? It was designed to allow the use of Apple's Pro Harmon/Kardon speakers that came with the iMac G4. The iMac G4 had a special high power audio jack that allowed the speakers to work. If you plugged the speakers into a regular audio jack, they wouldn't work. Griffin came up with the iFire and the iFire used power from the firewire port of the non-iMac G4. It was a neat devise, but a little costly.. It would be nice to see the external superdrive work with other macs. I'd probably pick one up in a heartbeat since it'd go nicely with my new mac mini.
...I just hope that it doesn't have a standard USB plug. If it does, it could possibly damage a standard USB port. ..I would imagine that to prevent that, Apple either has some special tit on the plug that corresponds to a small slot on the jack so that it can't go into any other USB jack anywhere else, or, it has firmware that quickly detects if the jack is from the Air before the drive spins up.
Western Digital sells a cable that draws power from two usb ports and combines them into one, for powering HDs when a single usb port output isn't enough. If apple hasn't made the connectors exclusive, that WD cable might solve the "need more power" problem and allow the drive to be used on macs other than the Air.
We know that the MBA's USB port pushes out more power to run the SuperDrive when it's attached. We knew that last week at MacWorld.
the apple guys at the Air counter at MWSF didn't share that info with me, when i was asking them about backup strategies in lieu of a 2nd usb port (i propose to carry a 320GB 2.5" external with all my files on them; but to back IT up to a backup drive would require a usb hub): the apple reps said to drive two external HDs would require a powered hub. Based on what you're saying maybe not?
the apple guys at the Air counter at MWSF didn't share that info with me, when i was asking them about backup strategies in lieu of a 2nd usb port (i propose to carry a 320GB 2.5" external with all my files on them; but to back IT up to a backup drive would require a usb hub): the apple reps said to drive two external HDs would require a powered hub. Based on what you're saying maybe not?
If I were Apple I would have designed the USB port detect when the MBA Superdrive is attached, and to only supply more power than the USB2.0 specifications then. If it can supply the full power at any time it may cause some external devices to fail and therefore be a liability for Apple.
I've said it before, I'm surprised that the MBA Superdrive doesn't have a USB port of it's own for daisy-chaining two devices. Perhaps the power and/or bandwidth is already maxed out for the optical drive that they they decided against it.
Also, could they have added a FireWire 400 port instead of a micro-DVI port and then sold a FW-to -DVI/VGA/S-video/composite adapters the way they sell the USB-to-Ethernet adapter? If they could, this seems like it would make more sense as you still need to buy a conversion cable anyway. Does FW-400 have fast enough transfer rates to support a 24" display correctly?
Here's a high-tech piece of equipment that will solve the problem - it's called a 'cable'. The cable you need is often found with external 2.5" drives - it has two USB plugs on one end for plugging into a machine and a single usb plug on the other. It should run to a couple of bucks. You might need some sort of gender bender too.
I'd say the drive wouldn't require more than 1 Amp, which equates to two USB ports. If it requires more than this then you're out of luck, since Apple is quite particular about delivering only 0.5A to their USB ports (at least before they made the Air).
Also, this drive won't damage USB ports. If the device tries to draw more power than the port is willing to deliver then it just doesn't get it, end of story. The engineers who designed the spec and build machines have thought of these things. What do you think they do all day?
It would be nice if it were that simple.
Having been one of those engineers in my own company a while back, I can tell you that not all eventualities are thought of in advance, no matter how hard you try.
The exploding gas tanks on the Pinto, which started the consumer safety movement, is proof of that.
You'd be surprised at how many things are left to chance in speccing out new technology.
For example, Apple's FW ports burn out if too much power is drawn, or if static is applied. Why?
USB has no real way to check the amount of power being drawn. The specs suppose all manufacturers will attend to the standard.
Usually, but not always, devices simply won't work, but sometimes either the device, or the port, get damaged.
If the firmware needs to detect something from the computer, some sort of code, before it will power up the drive, then no cable will work.
But, I don't know for sure. I'm just hoping Apple has some safety built-in.
Western Digital sells a cable that draws power from two usb ports and combines them into one, for powering HDs when a single usb port output isn't enough. If apple hasn't made the connectors exclusive, that WD cable might solve the "need more power" problem and allow the drive to be used on macs other than the Air.
I suspect that Apple will give only one port to the Macbook.
But, as they haven't given it an 800 port by now, why do you think they may go with 3200?
I think they may go with it because the mini-DVI port only attaches to monitors and is probably not used by very many, even thought the ones that do use it probably use it quite a bit. By making SL-DVI work via FW3200 they are able to create a 3 function connecter: FW800, FW3200, or display out. As well as, promote FW3200 in their most common machine without increasing the total number of ports.
Just a late night idea that I probably would never remember writing anyway, even if it does come true in a year. \
I think they may go with it because the mini-DVI port only attaches to monitors and is probably not used by very many, even thought the ones that do use it probably use it quite a bit. By making SL-DVI work via FW3200 they are able to create a 3 function connecter: FW800, FW3200, or display out. As well as promote FW3200 in their most common machine without increasing the total number of ports.
Just a late night idea that I probably would never remember writing anyway, even if it does come true in a year. \
Hmm!
They would have to change the specs for both standards, and probably the physical layer as well.
I'm hoping that Apple would stay away from any more proprietary ports, though the USB port just shows that they can't avoid meddling, even though there are better ways to do things.
The USB power spec is considerably lower than the one for FW, which can supply a full .5 amp. That and USB can burn out if too much power is drawn.
To be pedantic, a powered USB port can supply 500mA (0.5 Amp) at 5V, for a total of 2.5 Watts.
A powered Firewire bus's power supply is an unregulated voltage, no more than 30V, but Apple's notebook Firewire ports' power pins are usually proportional to the battery voltage and typically can run from 9V to 12V. That implies that the peripheral device itself must supply its own power supply regulator to convert the variable supply voltage into its desired operational range.
The Firewire standard says that the ideal port is capable of delivering up to 45 Watts. At 30V, that would be 1.5 Amps; if 9V were still sufficient to drive the device's power regulator, then that same 45 Watts would require 5 Amps.
Typical Firewire devices will actually draw something more like 7 or 8 Watts, or 0.25 to 1 Amp (depending on the supply voltage). That's still significantly more than a standard powered-USB port can deliver (let alone an un-powered one).
To be pedantic, a powered USB port can supply 500mA (0.5 Amp) at 5V, for a total of 2.5 Watts.
A powered Firewire bus's power supply is an unregulated voltage, no more than 30V, but Apple's notebook Firewire ports' power pins are usually proportional to the battery voltage and typically can run from 9V to 12V. That implies that the peripheral device itself must supply its own power supply regulator to convert the variable supply voltage into its desired operational range.
The Firewire standard says that the ideal port is capable of delivering up to 45 Watts. At 30V, that would be 1.5 Amps; if 9V were still sufficient to drive the device's power regulator, then that same 45 Watts would require 5 Amps.
Typical Firewire devices will actually draw something more like 7 or 8 Watts, or 0.25 to 1 Amp (depending on the supply voltage). That's still significantly more than a standard powered-USB port can deliver (let alone an un-powered one).
Yes, sorry, I should have specced the voltage as well. Thanks for the correction.
Comments
I guess Skyhook hasn't sent anyone driving around my neighborhood yet. Maps can't find me on my ipod Touch.
I contacted them and they told me how to send them the location of my home wireless so that it could be included in their database. It took about a week, but now the location circle is much closer to my house.
That's why it's too bad it doesn't have a FW 400 port. That would have taken care of the problem.
+1!!!
AppleTV/Superdrive is STILL two boxes, although smaller ones.
I think what he meant was being able to control two boxes from one remote. I see the benefit personally.
If what they said about the power over USB is true. Then it can't work with other machines.
I just hope that it doesn't have a standard USB plug. If it does, it could possibly damage a standard USB port.
I would imagine that to prevent that, Apple either has some special tit on the plug that corresponds to a small slot on the jack so that it can't go into any other USB jack anywhere else, or, it has firmware that quickly detects if the jack is from the Air before the drive spins up.
Here's a high-tech piece of equipment that will solve the problem - it's called a 'cable'. The cable you need is often found with external 2.5" drives - it has two USB plugs on one end for plugging into a machine and a single usb plug on the other. It should run to a couple of bucks. You might need some sort of gender bender too.
I'd say the drive wouldn't require more than 1 Amp, which equates to two USB ports. If it requires more than this then you're out of luck, since Apple is quite particular about delivering only 0.5A to their USB ports (at least before they made the Air).
Also, this drive won't damage USB ports. If the device tries to draw more power than the port is willing to deliver then it just doesn't get it, end of story. The engineers who designed the spec and build machines have thought of these things. What do you think they do all day?
Someone, Belkin or other, will create a small and very inexpensive USB adapter that simply boosts the power output so you can run the MBA SuperDrive on any computer. I give it less than two weeks before it is announced.
Good Point.
Someone, Belkin or other, will create a small and very inexpensive USB adapter that simply boosts the power output so you can run the MBA SuperDrive on any computer. I give it less than two weeks before it is announced.
Exactly. Anyone remember the Griffin iFire? It was designed to allow the use of Apple's Pro Harmon/Kardon speakers that came with the iMac G4. The iMac G4 had a special high power audio jack that allowed the speakers to work. If you plugged the speakers into a regular audio jack, they wouldn't work. Griffin came up with the iFire and the iFire used power from the firewire port of the non-iMac G4. It was a neat devise, but a little costly.. It would be nice to see the external superdrive work with other macs. I'd probably pick one up in a heartbeat since it'd go nicely with my new mac mini.
...I just hope that it doesn't have a standard USB plug. If it does, it could possibly damage a standard USB port. ..I would imagine that to prevent that, Apple either has some special tit on the plug that corresponds to a small slot on the jack so that it can't go into any other USB jack anywhere else, or, it has firmware that quickly detects if the jack is from the Air before the drive spins up.
Western Digital sells a cable that draws power from two usb ports and combines them into one, for powering HDs when a single usb port output isn't enough. If apple hasn't made the connectors exclusive, that WD cable might solve the "need more power" problem and allow the drive to be used on macs other than the Air.
We know that the MBA's USB port pushes out more power to run the SuperDrive when it's attached. We knew that last week at MacWorld.
the apple guys at the Air counter at MWSF didn't share that info with me, when i was asking them about backup strategies in lieu of a 2nd usb port (i propose to carry a 320GB 2.5" external with all my files on them; but to back IT up to a backup drive would require a usb hub): the apple reps said to drive two external HDs would require a powered hub. Based on what you're saying maybe not?
the apple guys at the Air counter at MWSF didn't share that info with me, when i was asking them about backup strategies in lieu of a 2nd usb port (i propose to carry a 320GB 2.5" external with all my files on them; but to back IT up to a backup drive would require a usb hub): the apple reps said to drive two external HDs would require a powered hub. Based on what you're saying maybe not?
If I were Apple I would have designed the USB port detect when the MBA Superdrive is attached, and to only supply more power than the USB2.0 specifications then. If it can supply the full power at any time it may cause some external devices to fail and therefore be a liability for Apple.
I've said it before, I'm surprised that the MBA Superdrive doesn't have a USB port of it's own for daisy-chaining two devices. Perhaps the power and/or bandwidth is already maxed out for the optical drive that they they decided against it.
Also, could they have added a FireWire 400 port instead of a micro-DVI port and then sold a FW-to -DVI/VGA/S-video/composite adapters the way they sell the USB-to-Ethernet adapter? If they could, this seems like it would make more sense as you still need to buy a conversion cable anyway. Does FW-400 have fast enough transfer rates to support a 24" display correctly?
Does FW-400 have fast enough transfer rates to support a 24" display correctly?
No, not close. FW 400 is 400Mbps. Single link DVI is up to 3.7Gbps. Compressing / Converting it would be expensive.
No, not close. FW 400 is 400Mbps. Single link DVI is up to 3.7Gbps. Compressing / Converting it would be expensive.
Wow! That is high. Thanks.
Here's a high-tech piece of equipment that will solve the problem - it's called a 'cable'. The cable you need is often found with external 2.5" drives - it has two USB plugs on one end for plugging into a machine and a single usb plug on the other. It should run to a couple of bucks. You might need some sort of gender bender too.
I'd say the drive wouldn't require more than 1 Amp, which equates to two USB ports. If it requires more than this then you're out of luck, since Apple is quite particular about delivering only 0.5A to their USB ports (at least before they made the Air).
Also, this drive won't damage USB ports. If the device tries to draw more power than the port is willing to deliver then it just doesn't get it, end of story. The engineers who designed the spec and build machines have thought of these things. What do you think they do all day?
It would be nice if it were that simple.
Having been one of those engineers in my own company a while back, I can tell you that not all eventualities are thought of in advance, no matter how hard you try.
The exploding gas tanks on the Pinto, which started the consumer safety movement, is proof of that.
You'd be surprised at how many things are left to chance in speccing out new technology.
For example, Apple's FW ports burn out if too much power is drawn, or if static is applied. Why?
USB has no real way to check the amount of power being drawn. The specs suppose all manufacturers will attend to the standard.
Usually, but not always, devices simply won't work, but sometimes either the device, or the port, get damaged.
If the firmware needs to detect something from the computer, some sort of code, before it will power up the drive, then no cable will work.
But, I don't know for sure. I'm just hoping Apple has some safety built-in.
Western Digital sells a cable that draws power from two usb ports and combines them into one, for powering HDs when a single usb port output isn't enough. If apple hasn't made the connectors exclusive, that WD cable might solve the "need more power" problem and allow the drive to be used on macs other than the Air.
Perhaps.
No, not close. FW 400 is 400Mbps. Single link DVI is up to 3.7Gbps. Compressing / Converting it would be expensive.
This may allow for a future, 2009 MacBook to have one FW400 and one FW3200 port, instead of the mini-DVI port. Just a hypothesizing...
This may allow for a future, 2009 MacBook to have one FW400 and one FW3200 port, instead of the mini-DVI port. Just a hypothesizing...
I suspect that Apple will give only one port to the Macbook.
But, as they haven't given it an 800 port by now, why do you think they may go with 3200?
I suspect that Apple will give only one port to the Macbook.
But, as they haven't given it an 800 port by now, why do you think they may go with 3200?
I think they may go with it because the mini-DVI port only attaches to monitors and is probably not used by very many, even thought the ones that do use it probably use it quite a bit. By making SL-DVI work via FW3200 they are able to create a 3 function connecter: FW800, FW3200, or display out. As well as, promote FW3200 in their most common machine without increasing the total number of ports.
Just a late night idea that I probably would never remember writing anyway, even if it does come true in a year.
I think they may go with it because the mini-DVI port only attaches to monitors and is probably not used by very many, even thought the ones that do use it probably use it quite a bit. By making SL-DVI work via FW3200 they are able to create a 3 function connecter: FW800, FW3200, or display out. As well as promote FW3200 in their most common machine without increasing the total number of ports.
Just a late night idea that I probably would never remember writing anyway, even if it does come true in a year.
Hmm!
They would have to change the specs for both standards, and probably the physical layer as well.
I'm hoping that Apple would stay away from any more proprietary ports, though the USB port just shows that they can't avoid meddling, even though there are better ways to do things.
The USB power spec is considerably lower than the one for FW, which can supply a full .5 amp. That and USB can burn out if too much power is drawn.
To be pedantic, a powered USB port can supply 500mA (0.5 Amp) at 5V, for a total of 2.5 Watts.
A powered Firewire bus's power supply is an unregulated voltage, no more than 30V, but Apple's notebook Firewire ports' power pins are usually proportional to the battery voltage and typically can run from 9V to 12V. That implies that the peripheral device itself must supply its own power supply regulator to convert the variable supply voltage into its desired operational range.
The Firewire standard says that the ideal port is capable of delivering up to 45 Watts. At 30V, that would be 1.5 Amps; if 9V were still sufficient to drive the device's power regulator, then that same 45 Watts would require 5 Amps.
Typical Firewire devices will actually draw something more like 7 or 8 Watts, or 0.25 to 1 Amp (depending on the supply voltage). That's still significantly more than a standard powered-USB port can deliver (let alone an un-powered one).
why yes, indeed, i got my MBA at Apple in 2008.
To be pedantic, a powered USB port can supply 500mA (0.5 Amp) at 5V, for a total of 2.5 Watts.
A powered Firewire bus's power supply is an unregulated voltage, no more than 30V, but Apple's notebook Firewire ports' power pins are usually proportional to the battery voltage and typically can run from 9V to 12V. That implies that the peripheral device itself must supply its own power supply regulator to convert the variable supply voltage into its desired operational range.
The Firewire standard says that the ideal port is capable of delivering up to 45 Watts. At 30V, that would be 1.5 Amps; if 9V were still sufficient to drive the device's power regulator, then that same 45 Watts would require 5 Amps.
Typical Firewire devices will actually draw something more like 7 or 8 Watts, or 0.25 to 1 Amp (depending on the supply voltage). That's still significantly more than a standard powered-USB port can deliver (let alone an un-powered one).
Yes, sorry, I should have specced the voltage as well. Thanks for the correction.