I do use FireWire drives -- one (1 TB) is permanently attached to my main computer (MacMini Core2Duo), and also the scanner and an external video capture box (Canopus ADVC-110)

Got some other FW external drives, including a 2.5" self-powered unit. I can use them on the 7500's runing 8.6 -- so sad they won't go over 2.5 MB/s

USB sucks big time }