Mac Mini Ports and Epson 4800

[HSakols]

I have a Mac Mini on its way.  I see it does not have a FW400 port.  I've always had my Epson 4800 connected via FW400.  Should I not worry and just use USB or do I need to buy a Thuderbolt to Firewire adapter?  Thunderbolt is great if you are rich, but what a pain in the ......

[francois]

I have a Mac Mini on its way.  I see it does not have a FW400 port.  I've always had my Epson 4800 connected via FW400.  Should I not worry and just use USB or do I need to buy a Thuderbolt to Firewire adapter?  Thunderbolt is great if you are rich, but what a pain in the ......

Can't you connect it via Ethernet?

[RobSaecker]

I have a Mac Mini on its way.  I see it does not have a FW400 port. 

FW800 -> 400 adapter, $3.80 at OWC right now.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/FIR1369AD/

[francois]

FW800 -> 400 adapter, $3.80 at OWC right now.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/FIR1369AD/

Yes, this is the best (and cheapest) option if HSakols wants to connect his printer via FireWire.

[BJL]

Yes, this is the best (and cheapest) option if HSakols wants to connect his printer via FireWire.

It is at least a good, cheap option. Another option is getting a FW400 to FW800 cable, for the slight convenience of not fiddling with an adaptor dongle. And since FW cables and sockets are "symmetric" (rather than having an "A" end and a "B" end as with USB printer cables), there is only one type of such cable!

[francois]

It is at least a good, cheap option. Another option is getting a FW400 to FW800 cable, for the slight convenience of not fiddling with an adaptor dongle. And since FW cables and sockets are "symmetric" (rather than having an "A" end and a "B" end as with USB printer cables), there is only one type of such cable!

In fact, I use both an adapter and a FW400-FW800 cable. I think the latter option is more convenient, the connection is more secure and it's more compact (than the FW800_to_FW400 adapter  + FW 400 cable).

[popnfresh]

FW800 is backwards compatible with FW400, using a simple (and cheap) plug adapter. That's all you need. Amazon has them. Just enter "FW800 to FW400 adapter" in the search field. They have one made by Menotek for USD $4.50. It will work just fine.