The Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter that Apple announced in June is now available for US$29 at Apple’s online store.
At its June 11 Worldwide Developers Conference Apple introduced the adapter for use on MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs and Mac minis. It can be used with the Thunderbolt links included on the new models, and also can be used on similarly equipped 2011 Macs. The cable adds a wired interface to the MacBook Airs now in use.
Alas, the new systems won’t natively use FireWire target disk mode. However, they also bring FireWire 800, which runs at 800 Megabits/second, firmly into the Windows PC market for users who want that kind of speed and bandwidth.