MacBook is Speedy, but no FireWire 800, Modem Ports

Lam1969 writes "Yuval Kossovsky has a hands-on review of the new 15" MacBook Pro. Besides the speed improvement with the dual-core 1.83-GHz Intel processor, he likes the built-in iSight camera, "MagSafe" power connector, and better WiFi antenna placement, among other features. But he laments the loss of the modem port and FireWire 800 connectors: '[Apple] has taken away by getting rid of the FireWire 800 connector slot and the modem. FireWire 800 was left off the motherboard of the new laptop largely because it has not achieved much a following among users. ... The loss of the modem jack may be a sign of things to come. I was told that Apple had found that 90% of PowerBook owners used the 802.11g AirPort wireless card, gigabit ethernet or a Bluetooth connection to a cell modem to get network access. So for cost and package size reasons, the modem was left out.'" Update: 01/26 17:25 GMT by P : Story and headline updated to clarify that only FireWire 800 was not included on the machine; FireWire 400 is present.

No modem! What about no floppy drive?

[Anonymous Coward]

Where't the 5.25" floppy drive?

Re:No modem! What about no floppy drive?

[madaxe42]

Yeah, damnit, how am I meant to read my core memory now???!? Also, I demand an audio cassette drive! And an LP deck. How dare they remove my perfectly good ancient tech?!

Re:Not such a big deal

[MountainMan101]

( ) Cowboy Neal personally relays my packets.
( ) I don't have the internet you insensitive clod (will obviously get zero votes - within error)

Re:No modem port...but there are still options

[damsa]

I had a Sony Vaio SRX without floppy nor a built in DVD drive. It was 2.6 pounds. The newest Sony with a built in Dvd drive weighs in at 3.1 pounds. The lightest Sony full function laptop ever made was 1.8 pounds. So the built drive does make quite a big difference percentage wise in the weight of the laptop. Most computers nowadays come with an image of the software on the hard drive rather than on a disk, so for most people who never buy any software other than ones installed for them, like people who buy iBooks, I can see one day where optical drives would be optional, and you would use a dock connected to a laptop to access this optical drive. Since this would be a dual use, I propose a new name for this Apple laptop without any drives. I propose the name, MacBook Duo.

Re:Quit giving a pass to lack of modem.

[Anonymous Coward]

What's a "Modem"?