828mk3 hybrid vs 828x

[prokeds]

I have just upgraded my white macbook to the MBP with both thunderbolt and FW800 ports, and now I'm trying to decide between the 828mk3 hybrid and 828x interfaces to replace my aging 828mk2. I do live location recording of mainly classical music. From the specs these two interfaces are more or less identical but I'm curious if anyone out there had a strong case either to go tbolt or stick with FW. I've read lots of snarky reviews of apple's tbolt cables, and so I'm wondering if folks may have experienced problems staying connected while, say, recording on location. I've never had any issues with FW into the 828mk2 (or original 828 before that) until last month, when I jostled the case a bit and lost the connection (which makes me think the 828mk2 might be ready for replacement--thank you, backup recording rig!

Thanks!

prokeds

2012 MBpro 8 GB/1TB HD, OS 10.11.3, DP 8.07, 828mk2

[billf]

I just recently went through this exercise too, and decided on the hybrid because I have several older Mac Pros in addition to my main comp. Firewire makes dealing with the older machines easier, but YMMV.

[mikehalloran]

Your MBP does not have a true FW bus. Think of your MBP as having a built in TB–FW converter, same as the 2011 iMac. In real world situations, all it means that bus power over 7V is not available and the original 8pre will probably not work. None of these are issues for you.

Since you have both ports available plus USB, it means that you have a choice. If backwards compatibility is important, the Hybrid makes more sense. If not, get the X.

Although one is probably as fast as the other right now, the upcoming version DP (after 9.02) that is promising lower latency might work a bit better with the X.

The only thing you really need FW for is compatibility with a PPC. Intel Macs can always use the USB port in the 828x if TB is not available.