Can Firebox be powered by Macbook FW alone?

[Spikey Horse]

I've just put a deposit on a Firebox and I'm due to pick it up tomorrow.

It looked like the perfect (cheap) interface for live use and location recording with my macbook and the FW bus powered capability was a big factor.

But I've just noticed this:

http://www.presonus.com/firebox-specs.html

'Note: Due to a circuit design change, Mac Book Pro laptop computers will not supply sufficient power over the FireWire bus to initially boot up the FireBox. Once the FireBox has beeen initially powered on with the included external power supply, you may disconnect the external power supply, the FireBox can then be bus-powered.'

Does anyone have anyexperience using the Firebox in FW bus powered mode with a macbook (not pro) ? ..... either:

- with the mackbook only mains powered
- with neither firebox or macbook mains powered

I really did want the option of true location recording set up (ie outside etc)

If the firebox won't handle it - any other alternative suggestions? (similar price - similar ins outs + 1 MIDI)

Thanks

[shoegazr]

I have a mac book (not pro) and a firebox. It gets power via firewire just fine. The firebox does come with its own wall wart, too. . .

Yep, that's with mains and without. I just tried booting up on battery power with the firebox attached and the power light turned blue, which means we have sync!

Incidentally, the battery indicator on the mac says 2 hours . . .

[Spikey Horse]

Hey thanks shoegazr

I ended up buying one anyway and mine works fine on firewire power too - even when the macbook is on batteries only - it must be just the MBP.

Macbook and firebox make a very cute location recording / onstage combo