What Is the FireWire Capability for a Laptop Computer?

A six-pin FireWire cable is one type of IEEE 1394 connection available for your laptop.

Laptops come with a variety of FireWire (IEEE 1394) capabilities. Depending on the age of the computer, some have FireWire slots built into them. Others require FireWire expansion cards.

Function

FireWire, also referred to as IEEE 1394 and i.Link, is a high-speed digital interface technology developed for connecting audio and video devices. Your laptop's FireWire capability depends on whether you have a FireWire jack. In Windows, look to see whether IEEE 1394 is listed in your Device Manager. In OS X, look at your System Preferences.

Types

There are two types of FireWire jacks on laptops. Firewire 400 transfers data at speeds up to 400 MB/s, while FireWire 800 transfers at speeds up to 800 MB/s. Firewire 400 uses two different types of adapters, one with a four-pin connector and one that employs a six-pin connector. FireWire 800 uses a nine-pin configuration.

Fun Fact

If your laptop does not have a FireWire card installed, one can be obtained from most computer and technology stores. Prices start at around $10 (as of August 2010) and most can be installed without the help of a technician.

References

• 1394 Trade Association: What Is FireWire?
• IEEE: Microprocessort Standards Zone