lacking firewire port

[thelittleprincess]

hi all-

i'm looking into getting a laptop, and was told to make sure i have at least 2 usb ports and a firewire port. unfortunately the ibm thinkpad t40 lacks the firewire port - anyway i can get around that? im pretty clueless - never purchased a pc before (always used my sibling's pc's so i've never educated myself on such things) anyhow, thanks a lot for any input.

 

[mpitts]

Buy a PCMCIA firewire card.

 

[Spooner]

you can buy a firewire card for the laptop if it does not come with

 

[notfred]

Why do you need firewire?

 

[NeoMadHatter]

Originally posted by: notfred
Why do you need firewire?

external device? ipod, cdrw,dvdrw,hd? that's why i had to get one. i got this one:
Text

 

[MegaloManiaK]

Originally posted by: mpitts
Buy a PCMCIA firewire card.

That would be your best bet IMO. You may find out you dont need a firewire port and then you wont have to buy one.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: mpitts
Buy a PCMCIA firewire card.

That then ties up the PCMICA slot then.......

How badly are do you need the FireWire port?

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: NeoMadHatter

Originally posted by: notfred
Why do you need firewire?

external device? ipod, cdrw,dvdrw,hd? that's why i had to get one. i got this one:
Text

My point was that I don't think she needs it at all. It sounds like someone just told her "You should get two USB ports and a firewire port" so she said "ok" without having any reason to actually need them.

 

[UNCjigga]

Don't buy FireWire unless you buy something that says "requires FireWire port", like a camcorder or an iPod. Even if you have a camcorder with firewire, are you really going to do any video editing? If you don't have any firewire stuff, just make sure any accessories you buy (cd or dvd burners, scanners etc.) are USB or preferrably USB 2.0 (your T40 should have USB 2.0)

 

[thelittleprincess]

thanks alot everyone for your suggestions. i don't think i need a firewire port - but my bro said that might be something i'd want.

 

[thelittleprincess]

yeah, i think my brother wanted me to have it in case i got an ipod - maybe he'll bget bored of his and i can inherit it

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: NeoMadHatter

Originally posted by: notfred
Why do you need firewire?

external device? ipod, cdrw,dvdrw,hd? that's why i had to get one. i got this one:
Text

My point was that I don't think she needs it at all. It sounds like someone just told her "You should get two USB ports and a firewire port" so she said "ok" without having any reason to actually need them.

 

[notfred]

You can use the iPod with USB2.0, not just firewire.

 

[chin311]

yeah, dont worry about it until you actually NEED the firewire, most dont even use it...if so, get the PC card and youll be jsut fine...

 

[amdskip]

Isn't firewire about dead?

 

[Pennstate]

fw cards are cheap. go on ebay and type in "3 port firewire" It's about $15 shipped.

 

[Derango]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Isn't firewire about dead?

Where'd you hear that?

Its pretty much the standard way of getting video off a digital video camera last time I checked.

 

[NeoMadHatter]

Originally posted by: notfred
You can use the iPod with USB2.0, not just firewire.

only the third generation ones. not the older ones. if she's getting an older one she'll need firewire. but i see your point. right now it's useless for her.

 

[thelittleprincess]

thanks a lot everyone. now i know that i don't really need to worry about the firewire port - i'm probably not going to need it. and if i were to buyan ipod or camcorder i'd most likely get one of the newer models. but i'll keep the card adapter in mind if i ever need it. thanks a bunch.

 

[crabbyman]

Is firewire dead?...pshh...! Check out the G4 laptops @ www.apple.com...the 17" has firewire 800....and the new G5 has firewire 800 also... The speeds are better than USB 2.0 right now.

 

[alexruiz]

Originally posted by: Derango

Originally posted by: amdskip
Isn't firewire about dead?

Where'd you hear that?

Its pretty much the standard way of getting video off a digital video camera last time I checked.

It is, and it will remain the standard for digital camcorders..... Ah, and make a bet that uncompressed HD video will be better suited for firewire 800....

If you have an application that DEMANDS high data transfer (>20 MB/sec) you will notice the difference between firewire and USB 2.0.... but for mundane applications (cd-burners, scanners, etc) USB has the compatibility edge....

 

[Novaric]

i think its funny that everybody just started saying "she" even though "thelittleprincess" could've just been some crazy 40 year old man.

 

[thelittleprincess]

haha novaric.

"she" happens to be a mid-20 year old biochemist/cell biologist who doesn't know much about computers other than turning it on, using word, excel, and powerpoint. if i were a 40 year old man using the alias "thelittleprincess" i'd say i have a lot of problems.

 

[NeoMadHatter]

Originally posted by: thelittleprincess
haha novaric.

"she" happens to be a mid-20 year old biochemist/cell biologist who doesn't know much about computers other than turning it on, using word, excel, and powerpoint. if i were a 40 year old man using the alias "thelittleprincess" i'd say i have a lot of problems.

wow, that sounds cool, however, i always disliked biology. oh well. have fun with the laptop, should you get it. i wish i could afford one.