http://www.mac-usb3.com/index.htmlUSB 3 For Mac NewsenMacGizmoGuyCopyright MacGizmoGuy2011-03-05T22:41:41-06:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:56:26 -0500MacGizmoGuyThunderBolt2011-03-05T22:41:41-06:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/thunder-bolt-versus-usb-3.html#unique-entry-id-15http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/thunder-bolt-versus-usb-3.html#unique-entry-id-15
Intel and Apple's new LightPeak-aka-ThunderBolt port on the recent MacBook Pro laptops is NOT a death-knell for USB 3.0 peripherals. In fact, both speak well of the inevitable transition to next-generation, ultra-fast computer peripheral interfaces on both Mac and PC platforms.

It isn't just about 10Gbps vs 5Gbps data speeds where ThunderBolt appears the 'winner'. It's about consumer acceptance and adoption that drives the marketplace. Not only does USB3 have the lead there - but backward compatibility with tens of millions of legacy USB 2 devices assures USB 3.0 is unstoppable and compelling to consumers in itself. And ThunderBolt backup drives in particular - as well as other high-speed video and display accessories will succeed in other market segments for other reasons.]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3.0 Hardware2010-12-11T22:00:22-06:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/apple-compatible-usb3-products.html#unique-entry-id-14http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/apple-compatible-usb3-products.html#unique-entry-id-14
CalDigit and LaCie are leading the Mac USB 3.0 market for owners of Macintosh Pro towers with it's PCI slots - and for recent MacBook Pro models with ExpressCard/34 slots built in. On LaCie's support page you'll find optimized USB 3 Drivers for Mac OSX Leopard 10.5 and up.

NOTE! LaCie's SuperSpeed cards and its driver currently ONLY support LaCie brand USB 3.0 drives! So it is essential to pair these cards with LaCie SuperSpeed drives from their current product line.

For Mac Pro Towers with PCI-e Slots:

LaCie USB 3.0 PCI Express Card - Model 130977



For MacBook Pro's with ExpressCard Slots (15" & 17" models):

LaCie USB 3.0 ExpressCard-34 - Model 130998

Again - at this time - you MUST pair either of these cards with any number of LaCie's own USB3 external hard drive lineup. LaCie's drivers are keyed-in to only working with LaCie brand SuperSpeed USB3 drives (at this time.)

Alternately: you can order a CalDigit USB3 PCI or ExpressCard Caldigit.com - who's driver works explicitly paired with their AV DRIVE. (Although some Forum posts around the net suggest CalDigit's card and driver combo works with a wider range of 3rd-party drives or DIY enclosures - at your own risk...)

CalDigit SuperSpeed PCI Express Card - USB 3.0 for Mac



Why this 'Lock-In'? USB drivers are often explicitly written to look for and detect specific product and vendor ID codes when polling for a device on the USB bus. (This is common with, say, USB TV tuners or Graphics Tablets.) This has benefits for the manufacturer and the consumer: Quality control for full compatibility and testing for the best end user experience. If you want a working Mac USB3 solution today - LaCie and CalDigit have the goods that other's don't.

More versatile USB 3.0 drivers for Mac OSX Leopard will eventually become available that will work with a wider number of 3rd-party USB3 external hard drives or USB3 SSD Drives.
]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3.0 Hard Drive2010-11-14T00:44:29-06:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/iomega-usb3-drives-for-mac-or-pc.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/iomega-usb3-drives-for-mac-or-pc.html#unique-entry-id-13


Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 ports - they're the right purchase decision today for any Mac user. Eventually you'll be able to take advantage of SuperSpeed data transfer speeds (if and) when Apple starts supporting USB 3.0 in its laptop and desktop computers.

It should be noted the Iomega eGo Portable USB 3.0/USB 2.0 drive line offers both a spacious 1TB Terabyte disk capacity in addition to 500GB -- all in an easily portable, shock resistant 2.5" drive sized enclosure. ]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3.0 Delays2010-09-09T20:46:25-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/intel-apple-stall-USB3-adoption.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/intel-apple-stall-USB3-adoption.html#unique-entry-id-11www.mac-usb3.com a year and thensome back, I honestly expected we'd be enjoying the HUGE performance benefits of USB3 Super-Speed on the latest Mac computer models and Apple handheld gadgets by now.

It's not for lack of available and currently shipping USB 3.0 peripherals - In fact, many products are now on 2nd-generation USB 3 controller chipsets that refine adherence to the established SuperSpeed spec. Take a look at what's available and wonder; "Why can't I have that making MY computing experience better?"

In 30+ years of computing, I've never, NEVER seen a backward-compatible, functioning and shipping technology advancement like transition from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 utterly STALL-OUT like this in the marketplace. You really have to ask WHY aren't Intel Corp and Apple Inc 100% onboard with this? WHY the delays from the 2 most powerful companies advancing technology adoption? We could be charging our handheld devices in HALF the time. We could be syncing our iPods, iPads,iPhones, and what have you in mere SECONDS. We could be backing up our Terabytes of iPhoto and iTunes media files in MINUTES rather than HOURS: If Intel would just.... If Apple would just... deliver today's technology solutions - Today.]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3.0 Delays2010-05-03T14:27:11-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb-3-super-speed-slow-arrival.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb-3-super-speed-slow-arrival.html#unique-entry-id-10
What's behind the foot-dragging? In a nutshell - LIGHTPEAK - now released on Apple MacBook ThunderBolt port. Read this article at RegHardware.co.uk for some background on Intel's USB 3 delays - until 2012. And it's a deliberate stall-out to get ThunderBolt established before they jump on the USB 3.0 bandwagon (which is inevitable anyways.)

At least for Windows 7 users , and select Mac owners -- some are enjoying USB SuperSpeed's benefits with a PC compatible PCI-e or ExpressCard and some of the available USB3 external drive/enclosures.]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3 Hardware2010-04-12T21:59:44-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb3-drive-case-enclosure.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb3-drive-case-enclosure.html#unique-entry-id-9

Check out these 2.5" and 3.5" USB 3 SuperSpeed Drive Cases at Amazon. Also, over at NewEgg.com there's already a good selection of enclosures like this BYTECC USB 3.0 drive case available for early adopters on the Windows side - or for Mac users who want to get SuperSpeed ready when Apple gets around to delivering USB 3.0 kernel drivers in Snow Leopard...]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3.0 Solid State Drives2010-04-12T21:28:09-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb-3.0-and-ssd-drives#unique-entry-id-8http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb-3.0-and-ssd-drives#unique-entry-id-8
To give you an idea of the potential USB 3.0 SuperSpeed will bring to Apple computers and Windows PC's, read this excellent article at TweakTown that took Intel's current X25-M SATA II SSD and benchmarked it thru a variety of computer interfaces available. In a nutshell, the chart below shows USB 3 is going to rival throughput of a direct SATA II interface - with the convenience of an external USB3 plug.



Presuming the speeds of NAND flash memory chips and controllers used in SSD's can keep up with the promise of USB 3 and the 6Gbps SATA III interface hopes to deliver, expect the NEXT generation of SSD drives to be able to leverage the bandwidth of both. It's already looking like USB will allow us to backup to an external drive in one fifth the time it currently takes!

]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3.0 Drive Enclosure2010-02-17T10:05:25-06:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/superspeed-usb3-sata-dock.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/superspeed-usb3-sata-dock.html#unique-entry-id-7

SIG II USB3 Dock

2.5" & 3.5" SATA Slots


These are a great solution for transferring data, backing up, or drive cloning -- without the hassles of screws and latches involved with other conventional hard drive enclosures.
]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3.0 Hard Drive2010-01-23T11:38:09-06:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb3-WD-external-super-speed-drive.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb3-WD-external-super-speed-drive.html#unique-entry-id-6My Book 3.0 1TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

with PCIe Adapter Card WDBABP0010HCH-NESN - for Windows PC's anyways. Where and when CERTIFIED & TESTED PCIe slot cards for Mac and proper driver support in OSX can be assured is further down the road. Still, we now have real USB3 products coming out of the pipeline in 2010 - for Windows users to take advantage of.
]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3. Release Date2009-10-04T10:18:38-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb3-devices-poised-for-launch.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb3-devices-poised-for-launch.html#unique-entry-id-5

PC World takes a year-end look at the imminent release of USB 3.0 chipsets, host controllers and peripherals as we transition into 2010. Of note they address the performance leap that will allow the full potential of SSD Solid-State disk storage for backup drives, and how USB3 will allow RAW UNCOMPRESSED HD video streams from the next generation of USB 3.0 webcams now being developed.]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3.0 Hardware2009-09-15T13:15:28-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/why-the-move-to-usb3.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/why-the-move-to-usb3.html#unique-entry-id-4Some key aspects of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 protocol & its advantages are:

• Increased bandwidth up to ~5Gbps - 10X improvement over USB 2.0
• Bi-Directional data transfers for more efficient device communication
• Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 USB 1.1 specs
• Increased maximum bus current - Faster Charging, Fewer 'Insufficient Power' alerts
• Enhanced Bus Power Management - Better laptop battery life, cooler operation
• Streaming of bulk transfers for higher performance - Direct To Device communications
• Isochronous transfers with the provision for devices to enter low power link states between service intervals
• Exchange information such as their latency tolerance with the host so as to optimize the USB interface

]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB 3 Hardware2009-07-17T12:35:42-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/whats-inside-a-usb3-mouse.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/whats-inside-a-usb3-mouse.html#unique-entry-id-2USB computer speakers work fine on a slow USB 1.1 port!

So why would you even want - let alone need - a SuperSpeed interface on a pokey device? Here's why - and I don't think it's too far off... Imagine that mouse was also had a flash memory SSD Solid-State backup disk drive inside! Because even today you could easily fit 256GB of SSD memory chips inside the case of a full size mouse. Or a SSD inside a USB 3 keyboard would be just as doable. You wouldn't need that big slab of an external 3.5" hard drive cluttering up your desktop anymore!

So imagine that: An ultra-fast solid-state USB 3.0 Solid-State backup drive that also doubled as a mouse. Or a high-speed camera card-reader slot like some mice already have. Or a multi-function All In One USB 3.0 peripheral, all in the palm of your hand. It's only a matter of time...]]>MacGizmoGuyPCI-e USB 3ExpressCard USB 32009-07-17T11:51:16-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb3-in-pro-macintosh-systems-first.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/usb3-in-pro-macintosh-systems-first.html#unique-entry-id-1
Given the easy upgrade potential to USB 3.0 via PCI-e slots in a Mac Pro desktop -- Or via a USB 3.0 ExpressCard in a MacBook Pro's Express card slot - I'd venture to say the early adopters and testers of the USB 3.0 specification on these Apple computer models will likely occur BEFORE Apple actually ships Macintosh systems with USB3 ports on the motherboard. But without USB3 SuperSpeed drivers in OSX Leopard from Apple...

Even then, here's predicting Apple will ship this new technology only PRO class Macs -- then once there's a true selection of cables, add-ons and USB SuperSpeed peripherals will this likely be rolled out to the MUCH larger market in consumer machines. We've seen this before when USB 2.0 arrived on high-end Macs first, again when the jump from 400 to FireWire 800 came to the Pro machines first.



In a way that's good: Apple can roll-out a new serial bus technology to a smaller customer base, let it go through some of the initial teething pains, slip-stream upgrade to improved Rev. B USB controller chipsets, make minor Firmware and OSX adjustments -- and then deliver a much more robust and stable USB3 solution to it's much larger MacBook, iMac and Mac mini customer later in the development cycle. ]]>MacGizmoGuyMac USB32009-07-16T10:13:00-05:00http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/when-usb-3.0-for-on-mac#unique-entry-id-0http://www.mac-usb3.com/apple-usb-news/files/when-usb-3.0-for-on-mac#unique-entry-id-0
Keeping up with technology change is HARD work. MacGizmoGuy learns like you do - amassing little tidbits of Apple computer related information, sifting through confusing new terminology and acronyms, comparing the benchmarks and speed numbers - and strives to translate what I've learned into something other people can UNDERSTAND. In SIMPLER terms. With an eye on what is MEANS to your techno-gadget life.

Here I'll talk about WHY USB standards needed to evolve - and WHAT benefits of USB 3.0 serial bus technology will bring to the average consumer - in the least geeky way possible. Stay tuned! A USB3 connector, cable, hub, peripheral, upgrade and add-on IS coming our way, ready or not.... Change is constant.

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