Hi,

I am looking to get a new laptop, but have a Focusrite LS 56 firewire audio device.

Most new laptops don't have a firewire port, only USBs. If i understand it correctly, firewire sends by streaming and the USB by packets.

So are there any reliable firewire-to-USB converters or adapters around that you know of ?

Cheers,
Jerry

I've never heard of one.  But I'd love something like that since I have a FW TC Konnekt.
 
@

Nope, you have to either buy a laptop that is purpose built for audio with a firewire port,  Some older laptops had them for a while so you might be able to find one and update it....  Or buy a new mac which now comes with thunderbolt which they do make adapters for firewire-thunderbolt.
Check out ADK.  
http://www.adkproaudio.com/laptop3.asp

If your laptop has a PCMCIA slot you can add a Firewire port that way. Cheap, too.
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Connectivity-ExpressCard-Controller-SD-EXP30012/dp/B003GAM68U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396292668&sr=8-1&keywords=pcmcia+firewire+card
 

Express-card slot (newer) also offers the ability to add a TI chipset Firewire controller.
Just be aware that in this scenario, the Express-card controller *also* affects performance (as it's hosting the Firewire controller).  IOW, If you have a crappy Express-card controller, it won't perform well.

I got caught....my KRK Ergo is firewire.  Forgot about that when I bought my new lap top.  Was only thinking about my octa capture USB.
 
Unfortunately no PCMCIA or express slots either.   So as long as I never change my room, my room correction is okay !  And nothing makes a USB a firewire.  
 
(my old PC has a firewire, if I had to i could use that to program for room correction)

Look into Lenovo Thinkpad T or W series.  You will need a laptop with an express card slot.  Harder and harder to find now-a-days.  Might be time to retire the Focusrite.   
 
I should edit this to also suggest the newer Asus Laptops with Thunderbolt ports.  Firewire to Thunderbolt IS available. 

Thanks Chuck, for the info on a Thunderbolt adapter.  I can use this!  Just got my new Macbook Pro and am intending to do much video production.  Great info up here!  Glad I logged in today.  No foolin'

I once used a firewire adapter on a laptop, but that was before they went to the newer card slots which also made my old Echo laptop card obsolete. I think I still have it laying around somewhere.
 
In that configuration (the old card slot) it worked fine. From the info that Jim posted it sounds like a bit of a crap shoot to go that route, but who knows? Those adapters aren't all that espensive. It might work ok and be worth a try at least.
 
It really is a shame that support for firewire seems to be drying up for the PC. Originally I think it was more intended for video and it turned out to be a nice solution for audio as well.
 
I prefer firewire to usb but the way things seem to be going. I might have to switch over to usb on my next interface.

I tried two different T.I. Chipset firewire cards in an ACER Laptop (with Win 7) that I had.  Neither worked with the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 that I had at the time (it wouldn't connect or only intermittently connect).  The Saffire Pro 40 connected and worked OK on my desktop DAW system with a T.I. chipset so it wasn't a problem with the Saffire Pro 40.  I also had an Alesis IO26 and it would connect but still did not work correctly.