[Naplander]

Guys,

I was worried about the lack of ports (FW, USB) on the MBA which has steered me away from getting one. If I buy a cinema display, will I be able to hook it up to the MBA and then use the ports on the display for my USB mouse and firewire back up drive?

In other words, does the MBA send all this information via the DVI cable to and from the display?

If it does, this would really be cool, and shift my thinking for this combination.

Thanks

[ibook_steve]

No. You'd have to hook up USB separately as you would if you connect the Cinema Display to any computer. USB is not included in a DVI connection.

Steve

[Naplander]

Thanks Steve.

So I wouldn't be able to use the Firewire ports on the display (with the MPA) because the MBA doesn't have Firewire?

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Naplander 

So I wouldn't be able to use the Firewire ports on the display (with the MPA) because the MBA doesn't have Firewire?

That is correct.

The once cable coming from the ACD splits up into power, DVI, USB, and FW plugs at the other end. Obviously you must connect power and DVI. To use the USB and/or FW ports on the back of the ACD these ends need to be connected to working ports on your Mac (or a hub connected to your Mac). If you cannot connect the ACD's FW cable to your Mac, you can't use the FW ports on the back of the ACD.

So MBA users can use the USB ports on the back of the ACD, but not the FW ports.

[Naplander]

OK - thanks for the info.

Guess I'll be selling my Firewire drive then.