Firewire: Built-In Vs. Card

[Thunderbroom]

I plan to purchase a laptop (Dell) very soon...as early as tonight.

I really have to have a firewire port to connect a Presonus Firepod (8 track digital recorder). My question is pretty simple (I think): Is there a performance difference between a built-in firewire port and a card (such as one by Adaptec)?

I'm spec'ing out models with/without the built-in ports based on various deals floating around the net. I want to get the best deal, but must have the best firewire performance possible while recording my band.

Thanks!

 

[fbrdphreak]

I doubt there is any noticeable difference. Technically going with a PCMCIA card will introduce more latency. However, I doubt there will be enough of a noticeable difference. Good luck with the whole dell thing, but I would just get integrated Firewire and save yourself the hassle.