Newbie question

[bmxboy838]

Does windows computers come with a fire wire port or do I have to buy the usb connection wires?

[Henrik]

Older computers rarely didn't, but a lot of new ones do. You could buy a firewire card for the computer, it's not all that expensive.

A firewire port looks like attached.

[bmxboy838]

Well I will have a brand new dell lap top coming soon... so I hope it has it

[Henrik]

Non-Mac laptops, if they have firewire, will typically have a 4-pin firewire port, which is smaller and non-powered. It will not charge the iPod, but it should do everything else.

I'm sure the Dell website will tell you if it has a firewire port, if you know which of the laptops you're getting.

[bmxboy838]

I looked and it will only have usb 2.0 that means I have to buy the cable and get the download. I know the download comes in June but has it already come out or does someone know the date?

[Crumage]

The cable is supposed to come out mid June so I assume the download will be available around the same time. Apple however, is not very good with punctuality so it could be much later.

[bmxboy838]

Is anyone else waiting for the download?

[bkafrick]

Firewire cards arent that expensive (at least PCI cards arent, dont know about PCMCIA)... I would purchase one of them rather than wait for the USB cable - there may only be a small price difference, plus firewire is growing in popularity and you can use many different devices...

And I just bought a new Dell too a few months ago, and it did NOT come with a firewire port, because I didnt choose the $49 package for "Video Editing Support". It would have been nice if Dell clearly stated that "Video Editing Support" meant a firewire card... Thanks Dell...

Brett

[vkeks05]

$49 for a firewire card is overpriced anyway. :)
Cheaper prices can be found.

[bmxboy838]

Well I started looking a cards but if the download comes out soon thats what I will do then.