How Apple Screwed Up Booting Windows By Deleting the Modem
If you’ve been reading my blog, then you know I’ve been really excited about Apple’s release of Boot Camp. I had hoped that I could eliminate my Windows XP powered PC by buying an Intel iMac. This afternoon I ran into a roadblock, i.e., capability I need that I will lose if I do that. It all has to do with Apple deleting the modem out of the Intel iMac and the MacBook Pro. One of the tasks that is still delegated to the PC is that of a fax machine. I don’t typically use it a couple of times a year; but when I need it, it’s critical.
Currently, there is no hardware solution to the problem. If you read Boot Camp’s fine print, you’ll find that one of the devices that’s not supported is Apple’s USB modem. So, there are no Windows drivers that will let XP recognize the device; and without that, my Winfax Pro software is useless. And I really like it. I’ve been using the software for years, and it still fits my needs.
When folks realized that Apple had dropped the modem from the MacBook Pro, a lot of apologists claimed that faxing using a modem was passé and there were other ways the material can get to the sender. Maybe so. But many businesses I interact with are set up to send and receive faxes and they are more comfortable with it. Plus, most of the newer technological solutions are dependent on the Net, and Internet connections do go down, not to mention that most of those solutions involve paid services. Who wants to fork out even a buck if a simple phone call costs less?
What else can I do? Well, I either have to buy a fax machine or a fax-capable all-in-one or keep my PC. Buying new hardware increases my cost to make the Intel transition, and I’m already uncertain about doing it. Keeping the PC means I can take my time with buying new machines; I mean, there’s just no advantage to doing it now. Say what you will, but the simple fact that neither the iMac nor the MacBook Pro has a modem that can be accessed by Windows does mean I’ve put the brakes on any moves toward an iMac for now.
Currently, there is no hardware solution to the problem. If you read Boot Camp’s fine print, you’ll find that one of the devices that’s not supported is Apple’s USB modem. So, there are no Windows drivers that will let XP recognize the device; and without that, my Winfax Pro software is useless. And I really like it. I’ve been using the software for years, and it still fits my needs.
When folks realized that Apple had dropped the modem from the MacBook Pro, a lot of apologists claimed that faxing using a modem was passé and there were other ways the material can get to the sender. Maybe so. But many businesses I interact with are set up to send and receive faxes and they are more comfortable with it. Plus, most of the newer technological solutions are dependent on the Net, and Internet connections do go down, not to mention that most of those solutions involve paid services. Who wants to fork out even a buck if a simple phone call costs less?
What else can I do? Well, I either have to buy a fax machine or a fax-capable all-in-one or keep my PC. Buying new hardware increases my cost to make the Intel transition, and I’m already uncertain about doing it. Keeping the PC means I can take my time with buying new machines; I mean, there’s just no advantage to doing it now. Say what you will, but the simple fact that neither the iMac nor the MacBook Pro has a modem that can be accessed by Windows does mean I’ve put the brakes on any moves toward an iMac for now.
posted by Andy Foster at
4:45 PM
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