MacBook Pro ExpressCard Slot Discontinued [SOLVED]

[rickenbacker360]

Apple has discontinued the MacBook Pro 17-inch laptop which was the only model with an ExpressCard slot which I use for UAD Solo/Laptop DSP. I need a laptop for the long-term for recording and other pursuits. Has to be a Mac. I'm not in the market now, but wonder what my future holds?

Will I just have to pony up for a FireWire unit from UAD or are there alternatives with the needed throughput?

[Janne]

Hey

One of the nice options if you have a mac with a thunderbolt connector is this expresscard adapter from Sonnet:
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/echoexpresscard34thunderbolt.html

There is a compatibility chart on their site for many brands, however UAD is not listes, so I think you should mail them about the comaptibiity.



Regards J

[beej]

Yes, the Solo-Laptop works with the Sonnet Echo.

You don't need the Pro version, the regular version works fully.

[egozot]

That's brilliant beej! I am getting the new macbook pro and I think this might be just the thing to get so I can still use my solo UAD. It's either that or getting a pricy satellite unit + TB to Firewire adapter.

[beej]

Yeah, I need to do the same to keep being able to use my Solo/Laptop in a current MBP... It's the most inexpensive option to keep being able to use my UAD plugins. I won't invest any more in the platform...

Note - you need UAD 6.2 drivers (or later) for this to work, as they specifically added support for TB adapters in version 6.2... earlier versions don't work.

[egozot]

thanks again for the info. I've become used to those wonderful sounding UAD plugs to let them go that easily and I don't see a reason to invest in a new platform till they come up with a new device with a built in support for the faster thunderbolt standard.

Why aren't you planning on investing in that platform?

[rickenbacker360]

For the record: Depending on version, we will spend $150 to $170 (Pro) for the Sonnet Echo. Still way cheaper than the UAD Satellite which comes in at $900 for entry-level model.

As for the question of investing in a "new platform", I'm with egozot... not ready to buy into Firewire (Satellite) when Apple has clearly abandoned it also.

As of this writing, keeping the ExpressCard going is the only thing which makes sense for me (and perhaps others). All this is moot for now since my MBP still has a lot of life in it and I'm not ready for a new one where I'll be forced to commit to something.

Thanks to all of you.