Slashdot Mirror

Have you seen how many sizes of barrel plugs there are out there? ;)
Here is an example for you.

And we haven't started talking about voltage or AC/DC yet.

A quick Google shows no such thing as a Firewire to USB adapter. Apparently this isn't feasible according to an article I saw via the Google. The only such adapter I saw via a Google is some thing designed to convert digital video signals from Firewire to USB.

I don't think there's any easy way to get large numbers of IDE drives in an external enclosure except of course for single or dual drives in USB enclosures. First, IDE is intended for internal use, much like SATA - except SATA being a serial protocol, you can find a way to extend that. IDE is parallel, which doesn't go very far. You can find PC towers with ten bays like this one . Then all you need is some mounting kits if your drives are 3.5" to fit them into the 5.25" bays.

Your other issue with trying to use an external enclosure for IDE drives is how to control them - you'd need ten USB connectors at least, or some way to fan the ports in like eSATA can. I don't think there are very many enclosures set up for IDE like that - most are for eSATA.

You CAN get stuff like Firewire to IDE enclosures like this one. That might do for your needs. Or this USB for IDE four-bay enclosure.

But most of the big enclosures I see via Google are for eSATA. eSATA is designed for this - IDE never was.

I am an ethernet dongle.

The DVI->VGA adapter DOES come in the box, like you ask.

Thank you for pointing this out. My oversight.

I found this $9.95 Dual PS/2 -> single USB converter and no doubt eBay will continue to sell the things wholesale for far less (saw some in the $4 range).

All this just makes my point. It would cost Apple SO VERY LITTLE with their buying power to include this thing. They included the DVI -> VGA as you pointed out. Why not take the next logical step?

You're missing the point. This is supposed to be a bare-bones machine. Include both adapters and you'd have a $530 base configuration instead of $499, adding expense for items not everyone will need.

You state this will increase the price from $499 to $530 but I whole heartedly disagree that it would cost Apple $31 to include the PS/2 -> USB Adapter I found for $9.95 RETAIL.

I am afraid I must not have made my point clear. Regardless of the cost, they can keep the $499/599 price point. Apple's target market for these devices are "switchers" and tech enthusiasts. As my previous post pointed out, if Apple is expecting them to use either existing hardware (PS/2 & VGA) or KVM switches (only high end ones have DVI/USB support), then Apple needs to provide this stuff.

I get a white phone cord with every Mac I buy because it comes with a modem. Who doesn't have a phone cord in their house or can get one a grocery store. Yet something people will need and probably have a harder time finding like a PS/2 -> USB adapter (thanks for pointing out the DVI -> VGA is included) is an item Apple has choosen not to include.

Yes, I would.