This chart of computer interfaces used by PC and Mac systems gives a clue to the tremendous bandwidth USB 3.0 will bring to Macintosh computers - If and when Apple or some 3rd-Party delivers the USB 3.0 drivers What's missing are .kext Kernel Extensions for Mac OSX Leopard.


Although not common, power users of Macintosh Pro towers or MacBook Pro laptops may opt to install an eSATA (External Serial ATA) card for use with hard drives once USB3 drivers are included with Mac OSX.

Think of 3Gbps the same as having an internally connected SATA II hard drive. USB 3.0 SuperSpeed will outpace eSATA by moving up to 5Gbps - but with the convenience of a standard USB cable connector. For Mac users with a ton of data - large iMovie files, iDVD projects and huge iTunes and iPhoto picture libraries - copying or backing up over USB 3.0 will no longer be a long process.

Tags: USB3 Speeds