Just wondering if there is any real need for it anymore? I've personally never used it and would rather have an extra USB 3 port on the front of my case.
Nope, and past the original ipod, old cameras or minidisc players i've not seen a use for it in years.
I once had an external drive that had both firewire and usb ports on it. Using the firewire port was actually slower and froze my PC a few times. I quickly threw that cable out.
I use it for my audio interfaces for low latency music production. I actually just bought a $40 firewire card with 400/800 and a Texas Instruments chip for my upgrade path. Other than that, I've never had a use for it.
I use it for the audio, but for a high end 8-in 10-out soundcard in my home studio. Wouldn't buy a mobo without it. As for it being on the front panel, I reallly don't care.
A Long time ago, before 100MBit home networks were available, I bought a Firewire hub and networked my PCs with it, much quicker. Theres no need now, my Firewire kit is collecting dust. Havent ever had a Firewire peripheral.
FireWire is only really useful for low latency applications or professional equipment. Unfortunately, I haven't used one either. deltatux
I don't think I've ever owned any device that had a firewire port, they've been wasting space on my PCs for years.
Use it for my ipod and my camcorder. Waaaaaaaay faster than the piece of crap that is USB2. Used it at work as well in the recording studio with the professional equipment.
firewire external soundcards are great, using profire610 balanced audio to studio monitors.. firewire still has a purpose, also way less motherboard static then usb audio devices.
