I’ve been thinking about the lack of FireWire — and the concomitant loss of target disk mode — on the new unibody MacBooks.
I’ve had many occasions where target disk mode has been a godsend and others when it has just been convenient. I was able to move files off our iBook G3 after its screen failed, and had recent case where I was able to perform data recovery on another system when I had nearly given up hope of getting anything back (thank you, GNU ddrescue). So, I was naturally concerned about not having FireWire around, simply because target disk mode is so useful.
I have come to the realization that the most important situations where I have used target disk mode were for backups or data recovery. For those situations, I just need the drive. The hard disk is more easily removable in the new MacBook (and in the MacBook Pro), so it can be taken out. Then, it can be attached to an external interface or installed in an enclosure, if needed.
While that may not be quite as convenient as target disk mode over FireWire, it’s not bad. Consider me appeased, my initial disquiet calmed.
I suppose the other situations will have their workarounds, too. Some of those workarounds will likely be slower than transferring data over FireWire, but oh well.
Frankly, I’m really happy to have both FireWire and the removable hard drive in the MacBook Pro line.